What do you think of when you think of a king? Do you see the image of a valiant man wearing a shining crown sitting on a powerful steed riding through the gates of the city being cheered on by the crowd? Do you see a gallant seasoned warrior with shining armor and a sword that gleams in the sun? Do you think of a man who demands respect by his powerful demeanor and confident glare? Would you look at a man like that and say, “Now that is a leader, a man who demands respect by his very presence”?
What about a king who is humble in appearance and exhibits the traits of a servant instead of a master? Could you imagine a king who wears the clothing of the common man and rides through the gates of the city to his people on the back of a donkey? In a world that promotes power and respect based on one’s appearance and demanding presence, could you see the power of a king who is willing to wash the feet of the very ones that serve Him and live amongst them as they do? Could you respect a king who would often “hang out” or associate with some of the lowly outcasts and sinners of His kingdom in an effort to help them become better? Could you see the power in a king like that? Or would you have to say to yourself, “that man is no king, he is just like you and me, and he serves those who he rules over.”?
Jesus Christ is the “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16). Paul declared the glory of Jesus when he wrote: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Col. 1:15-17). Does that sound like the description of a king?
Christ is the most powerful king this world will ever see; yet He came in the form of a humble servant. Why? Why didn’t He come to earth on a fiery steed conquering all of His enemies by the power of His divine force? Why didn’t He come as the mighty heroic Messiah king that many of the Jews had expected? Why didn’t He come and crush the Roman Empire and make Jerusalem the center of the universe? Because Jesus did not come to destroy evil men or conquer their earthly kingdoms, instead He came to defeat the devil and the sin that caused the evil in men’s hearts. His power was displayed in His humility. His greatness was displayed in His compassionate love for people lost in a world of sin. His power came through the words that He spoke as He taught that God sought love, mercy, justice, and righteousness. He preached “repentance and remission of sins” (Luke 24:47). The Christ King defeated an enemy that no man or king of this earth could ever defeat!
The valiant warrior knight on his trusted steed might make for a good king in a Hollywood movie or in the minds of those who only see power in appearance, but Christ displayed His power in His ability to humbly submit to His Father in service to Him and to His fellow man. Paul stated that Jesus “being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:6-8). Jesus washed His disciple’s feet as an example for all to follow. Christ wanted his disciples to be humble, meek, and obedient. He did not just demand it of His followers; He came to earth and lived as an example for them! The writer of Hebrews said, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:8,9). According to God, true power is found in those who can humbly and obediently serve God and their fellow man as their King Jesus did. Remember, meekness is having great power and behaving as if you do not! -Ed
