Do We Truly Worship the King Jesus Christ?

The truth that Jesus is King has been recorded in the Old Testament: “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come” (Gen 49:10), and “there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel” (Num 24:17), “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right scepter” (Ps 45:6; cf. Heb 1:8), and “For unto us a child is born, …and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6). And God’s prophecies have been fulfilled in Jesus “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:31-32), and “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zech 9:9; cf. Matt 21:5), and so forth. However, there are different attitudes toward the King Jesus recorded in the Holy Scriptures, which one is yours and mine?

Worship the Lord Jesus Christ as King:  The “wise men” (Matt 2:1) or Magi, in Greek, magos and in plural mágoi, “the name for priests and wise men among the Medes, Persians and Babylonians…Magi specialized in the study of astrology… In the New Testament they represent the name of the Magi, wise men from the East, most probably from Persia or Arabia, who came to salute the newborn Messiah (Matt. 2:1, 7, 16)” (Zodhiates). They must have received some revelation from God through the Scriptures (including the book of Daniel) and through supernatural signs like “his star” (v 2) and dreams, “being warned of God in a dream” (v 12). Their living faith in God’s revelation moved their hearts and feet to go and seek for the newly “born King of the Jews” with only one purpose, “come to worship him” (v 2). They did not mind the long distance, time, efforts, not to mention dangers on the road for many days as they had to travel by night to see the star. How about you and me?

Thinking that the baby King must have been born in the capital city, in a palace in Jerusalem, they stopped by Jerusalem. Their presence and inquiries made King Herod “troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” (v 3). Disappointed at meeting with the King and religious leaders in Jerusalem, they left and “lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (vv 9-10).  It is always wise and joyful for you and me to follow the direction and guidance of our Lord, not by supernatural star or dreams, but by His Word, by the Holy Spirit and by His sovereignty and providence. Then the Magi came “into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (v 11). They humbled themselves, “fell down and worshipped” Jesus! This must be the proper motive, attitude and purpose of every true Christian. They also opened their “treasures” and presented them unto Jesus. What are your and my treasures? Is it our heart, our self-will, our life, our body, our wealth? “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom 12:1). Here we also see God’s sovereignty and loving care. The Magi’s gifts provided what Jesus, Joseph and Mary needed for their urgent trip to Egypt and their stay over there until King Herod passed away. It is always wise for you and me to trust in God’s sovereignty and loving care in all situations.

Reject Jesus as King and Seek to Destroy Him: King Herod the Great was troubled to hear of another “King of the Jews” because he only wanted himself to be king. He pretended to be devoted, saying, “that I may come and worship him also” (Matt 2:8), but later he could not hide his wicked heart to destroy all the children two years and under in Bethlehem where Jesus was born (v 16). Those who hate Christianity and do not want Jesus to be their King are like Herod as they only want to be king themselves.

Ignore Jesus’ Kingship: When Pilate asked Jesus if He is King, Jesus confirmed, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John 18:37). Sadly, Pilate ignored Jesus’ Kingship although he feared Jesus and tried to release Jesus. Many including so-called “Christians” have heard of Jesus as King, and they might fear Him, but they are not submissive to Jesus as the King of their hearts! They still say, watch, listen to and do what they like regardless of the Lord and the approval of His Word!

Want a Human King instead of Jesus Christ: Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but the chief priests, Jewish leaders and the Jews cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). Many would rather follow and serve a human leader than Jesus Himself, the King of kings! How about you and me?