King Jesus

Read 1 Samuel 8:1-9

“Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7)

My friend, Dave, calls Jesus, “King Jesus,” and it always jars me a bit. Would it change things if I addressed my Lord as “King”? I’ve never lived under a king’s rule. Oh, I’m interested in the intrigues of the royal family, and I’ve watched “The King and I” and “Hamilton,” but you will agree that I don’t know much about what it means to be a citizen of a kingdom.

In our reading today, the great judge Samuel has grown old. His sons, anointed to serve after him, are a big disappointment. They weren’t like their dad; they perverted justice and went after dishonest gain. There were enemy forces, especially the Philistines, who were coming up against Israel, and they were better armed and organized. God had con- sistently delivered His people under the reign of the judges, but it was a time when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

Problems within and problems without, the people wanted to be “like all the other nations” (v. 20), protected and governed by a king.

Samuel warned them of the abuses of power and loss of freedom they would come to know. He grieved at their rejection of God’s personal and direct guidance. But God answered their prayer, and the monarchy was established. The reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon showed Israel what a kingdom ruled by a man of God could look like, as well as how awful a worldly king could be.

Jesus is our King of Kings. His kingdom is not about gaining power and wealth, but of justice, peace, and unity.

For Reflection: Do you reject God’s leading in your own life? Do you expect that an earthly president will bring justice and unity? Try addressing our Lord as “King Jesus” and see what difference it makes.

by Lisa Sinclair