Jesus, He’s my King.
One of the gospel artists that I enjoy listening to is John P. Kee. He had this set up called the Victory in Praise workshop and mass choir, and every so often, he’d produce an album featuring tracks performed at the annual event. One of those is called “Jesus, He’s my King.” It’s a good song.
It’s fitting to keep the focus on the point of the journey and where it leads. The journey is taken with the King, initiated by the King, funded by the King, directed by the King, and for the glory of the King.
When He arrived the first time, though some wanted to hail Him as King, they did not know the real deal of His rule. They expected someone in the line and style of David who could bring back what was perceived as the good old days when Israel was a nation under God that held its own against opposing forces. In the same way that David was a mighty warrior and king, Israel hoped to have that return to lift them from Roman rule.
Jesus was King, but not for that agenda in the way they hoped. He certainly had come to set those oppressed free and demonstrated that often. His idea of liberating the oppressed was more than physical or political. His rule would incorporate something far greater than physical and political. Some still want to impose a model of Jesus as the sort of political figure who should be in charge of the political systems around the world. Yet the way the King rules is not about that at all.
That does not mean that Jesus is above and beyond worldly politics. His presence on earth deliberately agitated the rule in the world at that time, merely by His presence and purpose. It’s just that His agenda wasn’t about gaining anything from this world to be revered. He is the King, and that is something that humanity is not in charge of ascribing. He is King as appointed by the highest authority in the universe—His Father.
The world refuses to acknowledge Him as king. The systems of this world reject His place as ruler of all. There are even religious expressions that make a pretence of acknowledging Him as King, as they offer much in the form of lip service. For all the talk, the walk suggests the opposite.
It is not in the best interests of the flesh to submit to the rule of Jesus. The rule of Jesus is a prominent opponent to the desires of self. It opposes Christ because it wants to be served. On occasion the flesh will look to use Jesus as a means to satisfy itself. This is reflected in the practice of some who use Jesus as a name that should magic up instant gratification and satisfaction in matters of physical well-being and material gain. To make matters worse for the flesh, the call to follow Jesus makes a demand of crucifying everything that opposes the rule of Christ – especially the flesh. The rule of Jesus does not lend itself to the self-centred preoccupation of some today.
The rule of Jesus, however, is not dependent on anything this world, the flesh, or demonic forces offer in this life. The awesome nature of the rule of Jesus inspires a desire to operate by the commands, laws, and decrees of the King that He embodied and enables us to live out through His indwelling Holy Spirit. This glorious rule impacts daily life in the here and now in preparation for that which awaits those who put their trust and hope in the King. It’s a delightful dynamic – wiping all past sins away, offering grace to help in the now with the confident assurance of what awaits those who submit to the rule of the King.
This allows those who live under His rule to pray for those who govern in whatever sphere we are in. We can pray that they will rule in a manner reflecting the true King. We can pray for wisdom and righteousness to be the pillars of their rule. And even when it’s blatantly obvious that these are not how they’re operating, we can pray in the knowledge that the King that lives among us is greater than those in positions of governance. As He is greater, we can appeal to Him in the light of unrighteousness. We can appeal and know that the highest court in the universe will take up our cause.
Acknowledging Jesus as King is the most radical act any person can commit. It’s not enough to be grateful that He is the Saviour or comforted that He is the Shepherd. It is crucial to see with these images that He is King. He rules.
I’m grateful for songs like the one John P Kee put on an album. Sure, he personalised it to say Jesus was his King—and that’s good. Better still, knowing that Jesus is the King is helpful to remember throughout the journey.
For His Name's Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
