PSALM 93:1-2 – The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.

THEME OF THE DAY. JESUS IS ALSO KING. The Lord Jesus fulfills a lot of roles in the lives of His children. Here are thirteen. He is Shepherd, the Bread of Life, Savior, Prophet, High Priest, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. And there are more, but I want us to concentrate on one that I believe is largely ignored in the church, the lives of Christians, and has significant spiritual consequences in both. Oh, it might not be totally ignored, but it is not given the life-altering attention and application it needs. This role of the Lord Jesus is implied with clarity in today’s scripture . . . it is Jesus as King.

In the Revelation, we find John writing of the return of Christ. Slowly read through this gripping scene and pay attention to what is written on Christ’s thigh and robe . . . “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11-16).

What Christians and our local churches need to recover is the absolute authority of Jesus Christ in His Kingly role. Our culture, and particularly, the youth of today, embrace an anti-authority attitude. Authority is rebelled against in the home and society. And when this shapes a culture, its death is near. And when the authority of the Kings of Kings is not recognized, submitted to, and lived out in the daily lives of Christians and churches, spiritual barrenness, worldliness, and the need for revival is intensified. So, what would it look like in the lives of Christians and churches, if the Kingship of the Lord Jesus dominated their thinking and living? Let’s consider three things.

First, if the Kingly authority of Jesus ruled in the lives of Christians and churches, worldliness would be forsaken, purged, and refused. The things of the world would not have a stranglehold on our lives producing lukewarm hearts and spiritual indifference. When the authority of Jesus Christ is lived, passion for the King and the King’s business consumes a person and church.

Next, if the Kingly authority of Jesus ruled in the lives of Christians and churches, spiritual compromise would not occur. We would not justify disobedience to any commands; we would not allow the Lord’s Day to be anything but the Lord’s Day; we would not neglect gathering with other believers for prayer and the Word; and we would not flirt with fleshly pleasures that cut off sensitivity to sin.

A third thing would occur in the lives of Christians and churches if the Kingly authority of Jesus ruled in their lives; complete surrender of ourselves and all we have to the will and purposes of God. What this would look like is our lives, all of our lives, would be shaped around eternity and eternal things. The Gospel and the work of the Gospel would be our priority in our homes, neighborhoods, and churches. We would be a Gospel-centered and Gospel-shaped people.

Jesus is so many precious things to His people; precious comforting things. And He is also His people’s King with absolute authority over them and worthy of our unwavering submission, obedience, and respect to His rightful place of King in our lives.

PRAYER: “Lord, let me see You not only as my Savior, but my King having all authority over me.”

QUOTE: “Our response to Jesus as King is one of submission, obedience, respect, and conformity to His image.”