He's My King!

I'm continuing to read in various media reports online about protests against the newly-elected President of the United States, Mr. Donald Trump. Individuals and groups are using the slogan "Not My President" in their anger against our new leader. But I'm not here to talk politics -- I'm here to lift our eyes to a higher plane, to who our real Leader is. Hint: we're getting ready to celebrate his birth soon!

Jesus -- his name means "one who saves" -- was born in a little backwater village, not far from Jerusalem, the dusty capital of a Roman province in the elbow of the Mediterranean. His parents were poor, at least by our standards, definitely not of the ruling class since Joseph, his stepfather, worked as a carpenter. But his birth was unusual. Let me tell you some of the points: 

--He was announced to his mother, Mary, by an angel, as we read in Luke 1. Usually when an angel appeared to someone, there was a big change coming up (compare Judges 13 or even Genesis 17), and this time was no different. 

--His birth was miraculous. Yes, I know, other young women have tried to claim they had nothing to do with it, but this time it was actually true. (see Luke 1:29-33). 

--He was announced as being the true, eternal king of his people, as we read in the above scripture, "He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever—no end, ever, to his kingdom.” 

This was all an immediate threat to the ruling class of his day. Rome certainly did not permit upstarts to come along and claim rulership; after all, they had Caesar, and surely one Caesar was enough for anyone! And the local leaders, both the Idumean (read "foreigner") king Herod, and the priestly class in the temple of God, had no desire to be upstaged and give up their privileges. 

But Luke records angels announcing to the shepherds, in words that sounded almost identical to the announcement of a new son born to Caesar, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" 

This was very unusual. Not only did the angel say "the Savior -- yes, the Anointed One, the Ruler" claiming all the exalted titles of a king -- but he said "in the city of David" which made every Jewish mind tingle at the idea of David's descendant coming to the throne (see Isa. 9:7 and 16:5). Hot diggity! We have us a new king! 

Just like today, not everybody liked the news. And just like today, that doesn't change anything. I pray for our earthly leaders, but none of them has my YES like Jesus does. He's my King! Maran-atha, come quickly, Lord.