Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/215736
Oh Worship The King WILLIAM W. KLEIN, PHD PROFESSOR OF NEW TESTAMENT M atthew mentions two kings at the start of his infancy narrative. King Herod felt threatened by news of a baby born to be king, and to paraphrase a saying, "When Herod ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Despotic monarchs maintain their positions by force and violence, and Herod's subsequent slaughter of the male infants in Bethlehem displayed his insane insecurity. Such rulers must be ever vigilant to the threat of those seeking to depose them. Since his father had been assassinated, Herod's fears were not unjustified. Herod killed several he suspected of planning such villainy—even two of his own sons. Upon his death, he arranged the execution of Jewish elders he had recently imprisoned so that the people would mourn during his death. Not a nice person. "AFTER JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM IN JUDEA, DURING THE TIME OF KING HEROD, MAGI FROM THE EAST CAME TO JERUSALEM AND ASKED, 'WHERE IS THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN BORN KING OF THE JEWS?'...WHEN KING HEROD HEARD THIS, HE WAS DISTURBED, AND ALL JERUSALEM WITH HIM." (MATT. 2:1-3) Matthew mentions another king: the "King of the Jews." This title occurs several more times in Matthew's gospel. He says that this king faced humiliation and execution (21:5; 27:11, 29, 37, 42). What kind of king could this be? And what kind of kingdom did He rule? A humble birth, an itinerant ministry, a rag-tag band of followers who He invited to come and die, a rabbi executed by the Romans for sedition—what a résumé for a king! Yet Rome considered Jesus a would-be usurper and executed Him. Matthew records a story in which Jesus teaches that He, the "Son of Man," will sit on His glorious throne and, as King, will judge the nations (25:31, 34, 40). This Son of Man will come on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (24:30). Yet Rome murdered this king: Jesus. 11 DECEMBER We encounter many would-be kings. Countless Herods and Romes throw their weight around―whether they are political leaders, parties, ideologies, titans of industry or the products they sell. The Apostle Paul calls them "authorities and powers" (Eph. 6:12). People readily serve these kings whether out of fear or for what they promise to deliver. And there's King Jesus, not demanding or pushy, and not resorting to violence to coerce obedience. He invites His followers to humble service, following His example no matter the cost to themselves. As Jesus's namesake, Joshua put it succinctly: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Josh. 24:15). Which king's subject would we rather be when Jesus returns? 16 DENVER SEMINARY CHRISTMAS 2013