King of Kings

Bible Reading: Matthew 28:16-20, John 13:1-5

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”. (Matthew 28:18)

Kings have a few things in common. Kings rule over a group of people, and in general, kings normally administer justice and maintain social order. 

God the Father had already planned that Jesus would become the King over the whole universe. This was first revealed in Daniel 7:13-14, which says, “And behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

As the King of kings, Jesus must administer justice amongst all peoples. However, a problem arises because, throughout the whole world, there is a huge uprising against the king. Everyone in Jesus’ Kingdom has already rejected the king and has gone their own ways in sin. You and I are part of this rebellion because we chose our own desires and laws over God’s. A righteous king should administer justice to rebels in his kingdom. That means eternal damnation in hell for you and me because of our serious offence of rebellion before a Holy God. 

If Jesus was the King of kings, that is what He should have done. However, John 13:3-5 is very striking. It says, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciple’s feet.”

See the heart of our King. As a symbol of the love He would show on the cross to wash clean the sins of those so undeserving, Jesus humbled himself and washed the disciple’s feet. Feet-washing was the job of the lowliest servant and was seen as a despicable task. Yet, Jesus took on the lowest role, mirroring how He would take on death, the darkest of all evils, for the sins of His people. This is the King of kings we are talking about; and sinful, rebellious people like you and me. 

The King of kings of the universe is a King filled with love for His people. He did not just punish them rightly for their sins. Instead, He entered the problem of evil so that in it, there might be the hope of restoration and renewal. Jesus now reigns as King of kings. All power and authority are His. There is no higher authority in this world than our Lord who reigns. What should be our response to the King of kings who not only reigns but who loves us so dearly?

How we must humbly bow down before Him. How we must submit our lives under His good rulership. How we must leave behind our rebellious and sinful ways and turn to follow our King. He is ready and willing to renew us and change us into His people. Yet, He does not force us to. He is waiting for us to repent and turn to Him. Have we submitted our lives under His Lordship?

This was the good news that Jesus brought. And with this good news, Jesus sent His disciples saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Do we live to herald the message of the good and loving King?

Lord, thank You that You are King of kings. Thank You that You have the power of death and sin, and for those who believe in You, You have given us the power to be free from sin and submit to You as our new master. Romans 8:33 says, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?”. It is only because of Your love, grace and mercy. Because of that, let us praise You, let us serve You, and allow us to submit our whole lives to You. Take this one life and use it for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.