A Fourth King?

Scripture: Matthew 26:55-56 (NIV)

At that hour, Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day, I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place so that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then, all the disciples left him and fled.

Meditation:

            A group at my church has been studying Gene Edwards's “A Tale of Three Kings.” This book has caused many in the group to reflect more deeply about power and what different kings do to attain and hold onto power. It examines the careers of three kings of ancient Israel: Saul, David, and Absolom. The book highlights how these men acted when presented with the opportunity to gain and hold onto power.

            The central thesis of the book is that there are really just two types of kings: those who attempt to use raw power and force to control events, such as Saul and Absolom, contrasted with David, who let God take control of his destiny and refused to use violent oppression to seize and retain power.

            This contrast has caused me to reflect on how kings and religious leaders throughout the church's history have followed that same pattern as they led various reform movements. Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli come immediately to mind. These men seemed to have followed David’s pattern. They did not seek to start a revolt, but pushed the powers of the day to reform. Although they ended up breaking up the church, that was not their goal.

            This line of thinking ultimately brought me to thinking of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus forsook all use of violence to bring into being His kingdom. Jesus made His intention clear in the passage above. The Jews came out to arrest Him, and He offered no resistance to their actions. Jesus fulfilled what was written about Him in the prophecy of Isaiah 53 regarding the manner of the end of His earthly career.

            In Jesus' actions during His Passion, we see the type of leader David hoped to be perfected in the life of this fourth king, the true King of Israel and the world. Jesus willingly took the worst punishment that the Jews and Romans could have imposed without resistance. Jesus was aware that doing so was the only way to save the world from its sin and obtain the everlasting Kingship for which He came into the world.

            At the moment, the church is celebrating the season of Advent. Although the meaning of this story appears to be more appropriate for Lent, I think it is still a powerful story about how God rules His world. When Jesus came as King over the whole universe, he did not come by forcing the Kingdom upon the earth. Instead, He came humbly to heal, restore, and demonstrate God’s love for the world. We need to remember this Advent season that Jesus came as a powerless baby dependent on Mary and Joseph for His care and upbringing. He never resorted to the use of His power even though he was directly tempted to do so by Satan.

            This Christmas season let us meditate on let us meditate on what power and majesty the Christ child now enjoys in heaven by reflecting on His humble beginnings. Let us call to mind the themes of the “Tale of Three Kings” as we meditate on who Jesus was and is, and may it be an inspiration to live a life that flows from humility as we let God choose how He will conduct the affairs of this troubled world full of different kinds of kings and leaders vying to achieve, maintain, and preserve their limited power in this world.