Articles
Fit for a King
When Joseph was called from prison to come before Pharaoh, “they brought him quickly out of the dungeon,” but before he went to see the king, Joseph “shaved” and “changed his clothing” (Gen. 41:14). Apparently, they were not so much in a hurry to bring Joseph to the king as to forget to ensure he was presentable to the king.
Throughout the Old Testament, we find examples of individuals coming before the king and bowing in honor and deference to him (cf. 2 Chron. 24:17), and when Solomon was made king, the consultants of David “had Solomon ride on King David’s mule” and he was then anointed with oil from the tabernacle, “And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound” (1 Kings 1:38-40). It was not uncommon for the people to show great honor to the king, and to make great demonstrations of honor to celebrate one who was established in that position.
In the book of Revelation, in the vision of John of the heavenly throne of God, we see John’s record of a most fantastic sight, and a measure of glory and honor bestowed on a King that far exceeds that of any earthly ruler. There, John saw “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads” (Rev. 4:4). There were four living creatures surrounding the throne (Rev. 4:6), and “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him…the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him…and cast their crowns before the throne” (Rev. 4:9, 10). Those elders were saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev. 4:11). Let’s consider this scene, and consider some things we should be thinking about when we consider our King: Jesus.
A King is Worthy of Respect. One thing you learn quickly [hopefully] in the armed services is that you must show respect to anyone who outranks you. The lowliest enlisted soldier, the Private, is outranked by everyone else and must obey and give respect to the higher-ranking soldiers. You will often see [and maybe be subject to] individuals who, personally, are not worth any honor; but, because these same individuals hold rank above you, respect for the rank must be shown. In the same way Peter commanded disciples to “Honor the king” (1 Pet. 2:17) when the king then was one of Caesars, we must show honor to the king because he is king.
And if we are speaking of our King, Jesus, we speak of the One who holds the highest rank of any individual. It was Jesus who was “highly exalted…and given…the name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:9), and raised to God’s “right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Eph. 1:20, 21). From this, it should be obvious that Jesus — because of His position as King above all — is worthy of the highest respect.
A King is Worthy of Obedience. A king is one who hold a high position of authority, not just a high rank. A king rules over a territory, makes and enforces laws and, as ruler, is the ruling authority. Regarding this duty, Peter also wrote and commanded the early disciples, “submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good” (1 Pet. 2:13, 14). Paul would likewise write, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities” (Rom. 13:1).
As citizens of the Kingdom of our Lord, it should be more than obvious that we are the ones who are to be in subjection to the King. This, too, is spelled out in God’s word numerous times, just in case some may wonder or doubt. Paul reminds us, “the church is subject to Christ…in everything” (Eph. 5:24). Obedience is expected and demanded, and eternal punishment awaits those “who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8). One cannot, in fact, be a part of this kingdom without first having obeyed the King (Heb. 5:9); but, as with any kingdom and its citizens, obedience is a necessary part of continued citizenship within that kingdom, else punishment is to be expected as a result.
So, within the Lord’s church — the kingdom of believers and the saved — we have these responsibilities toward the King and His Kingdom: honor, respect, and obedience. But let us not forget that we owe not only these things to the King and His Kingdom, but more. We owe him the honor of being citizens fit for the King. So, how do we do just that?
Represent the King Honorably. Peter’s admonition to the disciples of the first century — who were also citizens of the Roman Empire — was that they “as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Pet. 2:11, 12). Our responsibility to the King is to live in such a way as others who observe our lives will have reason to glorify the Father. God’s people have always had this responsibility, for when they failed to do so, it brought a reproach upon His name. Paul reminded the first-century disciples of such misbehavior of the Jews in the past, and how God said of them, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Rom. 2:17-24).
The same can happen because of Christians, or individuals who profess to be Christians, who live in such a way that Christ’s name is blasphemed. Paul warned Titus of those who “profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:16). Brethren, let us not be the reason our King’s name is dishonored!
Defend the King and the Kingdom. Many kingdoms of this world conscript their citizens to defend the kingdom as a part of their citizenship duties. The logic is, if the king and the kingdom provide security from all enemies and you get to enjoy the blessings of living in the kingdom, you ought to be willing to repay that with a defense of the same kingdom. Of course, one’s willingness is often in direct proportion to the perception of the king.
And one who is a citizen of the Kingdom of the Lord understands the magnitude of the blessings and security one enjoys as a citizen of that Kingdom: forgiveness of sins, being called children of God, and the promise of an eternal inheritance of life in heaven. So, as citizens, we defend what we believe when asked (1 Pet. 3:15), and we put on the whole armor of God “that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11) and then be never afraid to “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12).
We who are citizens of the Kingdom of the Lord are truly blessed people, so let us live in a way that is fit for a king — our King, Jesus Christ. — Steven Harper
