King of Kings and Lord of Lords

The Gospel is all about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus was the one who announced God’s Kingdom in dramatic form. He did more than that though; He was able to live out the reality of this concept by living a perfect life. He celebrated life and warned about the dangers of spiritual rebellion. He preached, He taught, He healed, He loved, He cried, and He died. He was buried, but rose again in three short days. In doing so, He conquered Satan, He fulfilled the Law, and destroyed the power of death, and He gave hope to those of us that love Him.

Who is this Jesus? No doubt He was the greatest prophet that ever lived. However, if He were a mere prophet his horrific and violent death would not be a theological problem. Many of the prophets were killed by those that hated them. Normally these martyrs become heroes of the faith like Isaiah and John the Baptist. Jesus was more than a prophet though, He is the Messiah. While the First Century believers could not understand how their long awaited Messiah could die at the hands of the Romans, we can see the magnificent plan of God. Without the Resurrection the death of Jesus would be a very sad footnote in the history of humanity.

Had Jesus stayed in the grave He would have been considered by all, even His followers, as a false Messiah. The religious leaders of the day would have been correct to say He was claiming to be something He was not, namely the Son of God. However, we know by the account of many eye witnesses and the testimony of Holy Scripture that Jesus did in fact come back to life.

When Jesus died, and He really did die, there was darkness all around. Luke 22:53 tells us there was both physical and spiritual darkness when Jesus gave His spirit to the Father. The Temple veil was torn in two which was symbolic of the divine judgment that had taken place. Little did anyone there know what was to come and what had been accomplished with this cruel act. No more would there ever be need of another sacrifice, for Jesus paid the price of sin for all on the cross. No more would there be a need for a physical Temple, for Jesus fulfilled the need for the Temple and was about to send His Holy Spirit for believers. No more would there be a need to fear the cold tomb of death, for the love of God will conquer the curse of death.

As we prepare our souls to celebrate the Resurrection on March 31st we have so much to consider and reason to rejoice. Our God reigns above all. He rules over the powers of darkness. He has dominion over the kings, emperors, and presidents of this world. He has been crowned with the name above all others, for He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Let us rejoice and praise Him this and every day.

March 20, 2013            Deut 4, Mark 15:24–47, Ps 37:1–10, Prov 7:20–22

March 21, 2013            Deut 5–6, Mark 16, Ps 37:11–15, Prov 7:23–24
March 22, 2013            Deut 7–9, Luke 1:1–17, Ps 37:16–21, Prov 7:25–27
March 23, 2013            Deut 10–11, Luke 1:18–38, Ps 37:22–29, Prov 8:1–2
March 24, 2013            Deut 12–13, Luke 1:39–66, Ps 37:30–40, Prov 8:3–4