Making RoomExemplo

The King

Is anybody a fan of the British royal family? Elizabeth, Charles, Harry, William, all of them?

Monarchs. We don’t really ‘get’ them today – perhaps you think they’re a bit old school, a little out of touch, like something in a museum from times gone by. This is what it’s like for John. He’s quoting from the Psalms (Ps. 118:26) & (Zech. 9:9) tapping into the old world of the Jewish audience. Prompting them to remember the Kings of Old and the conversation between Nathaniel and Jesus way back in Chapter 1: 48, “Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” John is setting the scene with Jesus at the royal centre.

In today’s day, it’s challenging to imagine kings and queens ruling and reigning. We are mainly so used to democratic societies, sceptical of dictatorships, and constantly battling the desire to behave as our authority. However you may feel about kings, Jesus is one. He is the Messiah; a Jewish word meaning anointed one. In the OT, we see that only prophets, priests, and kings are anointed. Jesus’ ministry can be described using the three roles. 

A prophet is a messenger sent by God. One who speaks on God’s behalf. Jesus did this as he began to forgive people, heal people and call people unto repentance. A priest is a mediator—one who stands in the gap between conflicting parties and offers sacrifice. Jesus, fully man, fully God, is our high priest. Offering atonement, once and for all, for the sins of the world. Finally, Jesus is King. One who has supreme power and authority over a domain. The angel Gabriel tells us this (Lk 1:26-38). John tells us this (Jn. 12:12-19). Jesus says so himself (Jn. 18:36), and he is crucified with the inscription, ‘Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews’.