Ruling under Christ

 

The OT speaks of humanity being made a little lower than the angels and eventually being crowned with glory and honor and everything being put under their feet. The devotional today interprets this as the future of God’s people and that we will fulfill this prophecy, meaning we will rule the earth. This passage is repeated in Hebrews 2 and while it seems to refer to mankind, this is not how the NT writer interprets it:

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. (Hebrews 2:5–8)

This quote refers back to the psalm that speaks of humanity as a collective individual, but the author of Hebrews applies it to Christ because He represents all of humanity in his life and in death, and makes those lines a reference to His incarnation and exaltation, much like this NT passage:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5–11)

In other words, the one who fulfills the OT prophecy is Jesus. We who are in Christ will reign with Him but He will have all things made subject to Him, including us who belong to Him.

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering . . . Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. (Hebrews 2:9–16)

The destiny of all who believe in Jesus Christ is in Christ. Because of Him, we will be glorified, yet He is always our High Priest and our King. Looking forward to being a ruler in a kingdom could appeal to that sinful desire to be powerful and win everything. Instead, I’m content to look forward to everything being made subject to Jesus, including me!

PRAY: Jesus, I see Your loving hand even now in this chaotic world. You surprise me continually with blessings that did not occur to me to even ask for. As for ruling in Your kingdom, I’m quite delighted at the thought of You ruling all — and have no ambitions for that job!

PONDER: The OT says, “And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’” (Daniel 7:27) This makes it clear that my glory will be established yet it will also be in subjection to and serve the Most High King — Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

The King who cares . . .

 

One OT word refers to a large assortment of leader-types, from an emperor to the kings of Israel and Judah down to tribal and city leaders. It is one of many terms in the OT for leaders yet is best translated “king” with a key use of calling God as KING.

The Lord Almighty is “the King of glory” who sits enthroned on high. He is “the King over all the earth” and “the King above all gods” also called “the LORD Almighty” and “Israel’s King and Redeemer” and “Israel’s Creator, your King” who rules.

At least one other Hebrew word is used as a royal title and Ezekiel uses one of them to describe the coming descendent of David who will shepherd Israel:

Ezekiel 34:24. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.

When Jesus came, He proclaimed the kingdom of God and implied He is the King of that kingdom. The Jews hoped for a political king who would deliver them from Roman rule. Jesus refused that role and this was one of the reasons they crucified Him.

The NT word for king is used both for Jesus but also other kings who had set themselves against God’s kingdom. Jesus actions and teachings show Him to be the true King. In Luke 19:38 His disciples loudly praised Him for all the mighty things He was doing: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

For a short time even the crowds acknowledged Jesus as King as He rode a young donkey into Jerusalem. John 12:13 records it: “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’” Later, the crowds shouted out that He be crucified. When the sign on His cross read that He was King of the Jews, they angrily protested.

Later, the Apostle Paul honored Him in 1 Timothy 1:15–17 by saying . . .

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Later John saw visions of the Christ when exiled on the island of Patmos. In one of them, an angel said:

“They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. In Canada, our queen and the kings before her are considered by most as mere figureheads rather than rulers who govern anything we do or decide. This is not the way Jesus should be considered yet I realize many honor Him only in that way. He is Lord, but not their ruler; they do whatever seems right for them rather than seek His will for each decision and each day. Since He made me His child and a citizen of His kingdom, He put in my heart the desire to yield to Him as the leader and ruler of my life. This is never easy. The flesh fights the Holy Spirit. The world pressures such allegiance calling it foolishness. The devil whispers contrary lies and ideas to pull me away from my King and from worshiping Him alone. Reading His Word is helpful to remind me just who He is and what He does. Talking to Him means taking my cares to Him as any citizen should be able to do with their leader. Bowing before Him in worship that includes songs of praise also acknowledges Jesus as my King, my God who is no idol but a real person who cares for me and invites me to bring all my cares to Him. Because of verses like Hebrews 4:16, I can, with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace where I will receive mercy and find grace to help in all times of need. He is my King and so much more . . . !