King of Kings

Last week’s name was Lamb of God. This week we have King of Kings. Could the contrast be any greater? The Passover Lamb, crucified for our sins, is the King above all Kings.

We see the name in Revelation 19:16

And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

We’ll look at his glorious return in the next post. But he’s already our king – even before his return.

In her book, Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks, Ann Spangler asks some really thought provoking questions. They’ve caused me to meditate on what sets Jesus apart – those qualities I’m most grateful for.

This week, with the Paris Olympics, I’ve heard mention of Marie-Antoinette’s famous quotation, “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche.” – Let them eat cake!

The French queen was so far removed from her subjects that she had no concept of their struggles. That’s not our Jesus.

(He) did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. Philippians 2:6ff-8.

What are some examples from Jesus’s life that show his humility?

  • He was the dirt poor son of a carpenter. Matthew 13:55
  • He didn’t have a place to lay his head. Matthew 8:20
  • He got his hands dirty. He made mud to heal the blind man. John 9:1-12
  • He endured the scorn of the Roman soldiers and the agony of the cross – for us! Matthew 27:27-37 – What other examples can you think of?

That doesn’t sound like any earthly king I know.

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need. – Hebrews 4:15-16

The King of Kings is the One who is worthy of our worship.

This year long series is inspire by Ann Spangler’s book.

 

 

 

 

 

Similar Posts

  • Son of God

    Today, we look at Son of God. Isaiah prophesied about this promised Son upon whom the government would rest in the familiar Advent verse, Isaiah 9:6. After 700 years of waiting, the fulfillment comes in the New Testament. When John baptizes Jesus in the River Jordan, the Father declares that Jesus is His Son. After…

  • The Gloves Come Off

    I am the bread of life. – John 6:48 Jesus’s proclamation in John 6 that he is the Bread of Life heralds a shift in his ministry. After the feeding of the five thousand, the crowds become demanding. Having seen such a large scale miracle, they pursue him for what he can do, not who…

  • What is Your Hope?

    This week’s name is Miqweh Yisrael, the Hope of Israel. In her book Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks, Ann Spangler quotes one of my favorite passages. 5 “This is what Yahweh says: Cursed is the person who trusts humans, who makes flesh and blood his strength and whose heart turns away from Yahweh. 6 He will be like a…

  • Simon, the Rock, Peter

    I hope this AI generated image makes you chuckle. It did me. Move over, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Here’s Simon, the Rock, Peter. The name we’re studying this week is Yahweh Tsuri, The Lord is my Rock. Tsur means rock, cliff, boulder – a place of refuge and strength. And Jesus decided to give Simon,…

  • Come and See

    Imagine you’re caught fangirling. You know – you see someone you really respect or admire, but you don’t know them, so you can’t go up and start a conversation. But you can’t stop looking, either. And then the person turns and looks at you. You imagine they’re thinking, “Are you some sort of creeper?” No?…