Who Wants a King?
Have you ever wondered why people have always sought a king to rule over them?
The Bible shows us that even when God was all His people needed, they still cried out for a human king. They wanted a King so that they could be like all the neighboring nations. God relented and in the Old Testament they were given kings.
The Kings throughout the Old Testament were a mixed bag of success and failures, but they did point to God’s plan that one day there would be a perfect King. The season we celebrate in December is all about the long-awaited King who would come to be the King of all Kings…His name is Jesus.
When Jesus was born there was a terrible king by the name of Herod who was reigning over Israel. He was nothing at all like what God wanted the King of Israel to be. He was a ruthless, murdering authoritarian who actually murdered two of his own sons along with other family members because he felt threatened by them.
The people Jesus came to save knew what a bad king was like and that is why they were awaiting and anticipating Jesus, their Messiah, to be the King that would lead them.
Why do we need a King?
The nature of a King is that he has all authority. When the King says something, it isn’t up to debate, it isn’t voted on, and there are consequences if you go against the King.
You can see how having a selfish, unfair and unjust King would be a terrible life to have. This king would make such unfair demands on those under him and would use his power for his own selfish gain.
But Jesus came as the perfect King who, at his very core, was loving and just. When Jesus spoke, He had authority over sin, Satan and sickness. His words were final, His heart was good, and He led His people to establish a great Kingdom.
Are there Counterfeit Kings?
Unfortunately, there are those, like Herod, who people followed because they feared the punishment if they didn’t. Herod’s reign reminded the people of the deep need for a King who would bring justice and peace, not fear and oppression.
At Damascus House, we have seen men who come to us under the influence of a counterfeit king. Drugs and alcohol have so enslaved people that they are serving a master that will only ultimately bring them to defeat.
Drugs and alcohol are just a few of the counterfeit kings that rule over people’s lives. Money, coveting, gambling, sexual immorality, and, honestly, even some religious activity can become as intoxicating, and unhealthy as drugs and alcohol.
The starting place for all these counterfeit kings is pride. Pride is the lie that I can become the king of my own little kingdom.
How do we honor the King?
The way we best honor Jesus the King is to declare that HE is the King and that we are not. We choose to do this, not just once in our life but every single day. We choose to do this daily because our pride will once again beckon us to establish our own kingdom.
Another great way to decare that Jesus is our King is to make sure that we pay full attention to all that He has said to us. We choose to make His word the final authority for how we live and for the decisions we make.
At Damascus House, we serve one King and His name is Jesus. We want, the very best we can, to bow to the King and worship Him, to surrender our lives to Him daily and be consistently filled with His Word which has the authority in our lives.
This Christmas, let us reflect on the joy of serving a perfect King. Lay down your pride, let go of counterfeit kings, and declare daily that Jesus is Lord. Remember, the King is coming again.
Will you be ready?”
Written By Pastor Don Williams
Pawleys Island Community Church
Chairman of the Board- Damascus House
