Jesus the King
Sometimes when I consider the world that I was born into, I come to the conclusion that the riches of a Western life are actually a deep cavern of poverty of heart.
For starters, when I try to remind myself that I live like a sultan compared to the majority of the world, my mind begins to create all sorts of excuses. "But I only have basic cable. I hardly get to go out for nice dinners. I don't own an iPhone. My car is only a two door, and man, it's hard putting a child in the back seat of one of those things..."
It's incredible really, that I, as one of the worlds richest persons, can even turn the fact that I have entertainment at will, food in my fridge, an insane amount of communication at my finger tips, a car, and a family that is safe, into a complaint.
I just don't always get it.
The fact that I have clean running water from my tap should make me realize just how lucky I am. I mean, the water in my toilet is cleaner than the water that some people are forced to drink in this world.
They are forced into poverty by no choice of their own. The mere geographical location of their birth has automatically determined their economic situation.
It's actually amazing that Jesus didn't come to earth just to bring political revolution, conquering the tyrants of this world. I was reminded this morning at church that Jesus came to do something radical, his kingship is so unlike anything this world has ever seen - he came to conquer sin.
I love the twist to the Easter story. The crowds hailed Jesus as their saviour from their Roman overlords, who in turn gave his life over to the hands of the same people those crowds expected him to defeat. Is it any wonder that they despised and rejected him? This man, who had done miracles, who even raised the dead back to life, was hanging on a cross, dying just like any other man.
My pastor this morning hit the mark when he said, they simply just didn't get it.
Sometimes I think we as the wealthy of this world, don't want to see the real Jesus, because we have the most to lose from a genuine encounter with him.
When Jesus is our king, the king that defeated the sin of the world, the hordes of wealth we spend on ourselves simply will disgust the man who sacrificed everything for a sinful world. It means being radical. It means spending our resources on others like they are our own family. It means so much more than giving just our money, it means giving up the vain pursuit of personal success and security. It means being honest, vulnerable and doing whatever it takes to make sure this world sees the most wonderful and just of all kings glorified and lifted up. It means a complete, sold out life of worship, because we realize we are always in the presence of this king, and when you are in the presence of a king like this, you worship him.
But let me tell you, that same king who loved you so much to die for you, what he gives you in response to your devotion is something pretty amazing, it's almost too wonderful for words.
The cross didn't keep that king down, do you honestly think death could stop a man like that? The king is alive, and ready to change your life.
It's a life knowing you're apart of something that is going to change the world. You see, the king has a kingdom, and in it, there is joy in suffering. There is peace in calamity. There is justice for the weak. There is love for the downtrodden. There is virtue for the sinful. There is forgiveness for the broken.
Don't let the poverty of your heart rob you. Let Jesus be your king, and I tell you, you will never be the same.
For starters, when I try to remind myself that I live like a sultan compared to the majority of the world, my mind begins to create all sorts of excuses. "But I only have basic cable. I hardly get to go out for nice dinners. I don't own an iPhone. My car is only a two door, and man, it's hard putting a child in the back seat of one of those things..."
It's incredible really, that I, as one of the worlds richest persons, can even turn the fact that I have entertainment at will, food in my fridge, an insane amount of communication at my finger tips, a car, and a family that is safe, into a complaint.
I just don't always get it.
The fact that I have clean running water from my tap should make me realize just how lucky I am. I mean, the water in my toilet is cleaner than the water that some people are forced to drink in this world.
They are forced into poverty by no choice of their own. The mere geographical location of their birth has automatically determined their economic situation.
It's actually amazing that Jesus didn't come to earth just to bring political revolution, conquering the tyrants of this world. I was reminded this morning at church that Jesus came to do something radical, his kingship is so unlike anything this world has ever seen - he came to conquer sin.
I love the twist to the Easter story. The crowds hailed Jesus as their saviour from their Roman overlords, who in turn gave his life over to the hands of the same people those crowds expected him to defeat. Is it any wonder that they despised and rejected him? This man, who had done miracles, who even raised the dead back to life, was hanging on a cross, dying just like any other man.
My pastor this morning hit the mark when he said, they simply just didn't get it.
Sometimes I think we as the wealthy of this world, don't want to see the real Jesus, because we have the most to lose from a genuine encounter with him.
When Jesus is our king, the king that defeated the sin of the world, the hordes of wealth we spend on ourselves simply will disgust the man who sacrificed everything for a sinful world. It means being radical. It means spending our resources on others like they are our own family. It means so much more than giving just our money, it means giving up the vain pursuit of personal success and security. It means being honest, vulnerable and doing whatever it takes to make sure this world sees the most wonderful and just of all kings glorified and lifted up. It means a complete, sold out life of worship, because we realize we are always in the presence of this king, and when you are in the presence of a king like this, you worship him.
But let me tell you, that same king who loved you so much to die for you, what he gives you in response to your devotion is something pretty amazing, it's almost too wonderful for words.
The cross didn't keep that king down, do you honestly think death could stop a man like that? The king is alive, and ready to change your life.
It's a life knowing you're apart of something that is going to change the world. You see, the king has a kingdom, and in it, there is joy in suffering. There is peace in calamity. There is justice for the weak. There is love for the downtrodden. There is virtue for the sinful. There is forgiveness for the broken.
Don't let the poverty of your heart rob you. Let Jesus be your king, and I tell you, you will never be the same.
Comments
-Janet
Your words are powerful, moving and remind me why we are truly here.
Thank you for the read.
It definitely made my day.