Fit For a King

Imagine a King without a crown, a castle, a robe, a throne, or even a home to call his own. The foxes had holes, the bird's had nests, but this King had no place to lay his head. From a humble, lowly beginning, with no beauty or majesty. A man with whom people hid their faces, despised and was not held in high esteem. What kind of king could this be?

The king, while he walked on earth was not given his due credit. He was not revered, he was not worshiped and praised. He did not wear a crown or signet of gold. Instead he was mocked, ridiculed, beaten and killed and wore a crown of thorns and humifaction. The earthly walk was brutal.

While living in the world that he created, he was not appreciated by most. Thirty three years of oppression and affliction until the day he was cut off from the living when he was stricken for the transgressions of the very people who would deny him and kill him. What kind of king is this?!

Men and brethren, women and children, what shall we do? What should we do with this king who has long since been struck down and pierced for our transgressions?

A king, indeed he is and was while here among us, but his kingdom is more of an eternal nature. He said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36

So, if he is a king, this should make us wonder how we are to treat a king.

"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe." Hebrews 12:8

We should want to fall down before his throne, bow before his majesty, in awe. We should want to lay our crowns at his feet, lay down our lives, our sinful ways and sinful nature and give him the proper, honor, glory and respect due to His holy name.

In his presence I am always standing on holy ground and his name should always be hallowed and revered. I am in awe of this king! He should get the respect that he deserved, but was denied while here on this earth.

The great and ironic thing about this is while this King, Jesus was on this earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God." Hebrews 5:7

Jesus had reverence and respect for His Father, and because of that, he heard his prayers. I'm in awe just at that thought, knowing he must offer the same to me. He will hear my prayers, our prayers as well, if we have this same deep reverence for Him and His Son.

This King will return one day to the world that denied him. This time we will recognize him as the King of kings and Lord of lords. There will be no denying his royalty when he comes back. We have a choice now, while we still walk the earth that the Lord created. We can choose whom we will serve, we can choose whether we will honor Him and bow down now before He returns, because at that point every knee will bow down and recognize him as king, but those who chose not to believe in this lifetime will not inherit the great reward of eternal life with His majesty.

Paul quotes Isaiah in Romans 14:11

For the Scriptures say,

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.

While he was here he took a lowly state and took the position of a slave, but now he is elevated to the highest honor.

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

Make no doubt about it, the King is on His throne now and ruling and watching over the world. This King rules with authority, but loves His subjects, the church he died for, for those who believe and offer Him the reverence due His name.

"Pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church." Ephesians 1:19-20

I can't offer a lot to my King in physical terms. There is nothing I can give back to Him that would ever suffice for the sacrifice that he made for me, but I can give him my faith and reverence. The very thought of bowing at His feet gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes and I look forward to that day. My respect, honor and deep reverence is what is fit for this king!