Jesus – That’s My King! Do You Know Him?
Silent night, Holy night, all is calm, all is bright… I remember singing that song as a child, and to me it was the most beautiful song I’d ever heard. We sang this song throughout elementary and middle school for Christmas pageants. Songs like Rudolph and Frosty were fun and made me more excited for Christmas.
Now fast forward to today: Silent Night is offensive and Rudolph is “seriously problematic” and just the “worst” according to Huffington Post. But they aren’t biased, are they?
Santa is not immune from these ridiculous attacks. So what did Santa do? Well, he’s a man. For inclusiveness, Santa should be both man and woman; it’s not fair that he’s a man, see? Never mind the fact that Santa Claus is based on an actual living, breathing MAN. Not a woman. The left has become mentally unhinged. This isn’t just about a child’s imagination with Santa they want to destroy; they see anything Christmas-related as offensive. Why? Because we are celebrating our Lord’s birth. This is about Jesus.
They weren’t done with Christmas “characters” either. They went right for the whole purpose of Christmas—Jesus Christ. God has been accused of raping Mary – she was the first “metoo” victim because she never gave consent.
This is blasphemous to say the least. God is a Holy God, and this person will answer to Him for these words. They won’t hear the words “forgive them for they know not what they do,” because they know exactly what they are saying and doing. God gave them over to a debased mind; they believe the lie and worship the creation rather than the Creator. Their choice.
Jesus Christ was a literal man who walked this earth—God in the flesh. He came as a man to be the ultimate sacrifice. He was crucified; He rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father. He was spoken of by numerous historical authors and scholars, almost all secular. There is more proof for Him than against Him.
Two Roman politicians, Pliny and Tacitus, who held some of the highest offices of state at the end of the first century, speak of Jesus – unflattering – but proving His existence.
Tacitus corroborated the biblical account of His crucifixion, but he was certainly no Christian. If anything, he was an enemy of the church. “Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reigning of Tiberius.”
Pliny wrote of the Christians’ “pig-headed obstinacy,” and Tacitus called the Christian religion a destructive superstition.
First-century author and historian, Josephus, is another to corroborate the gospels: “At this time, there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good, and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them after his crucifixion and that he was alive; accordingly, he was perhaps the Messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.”
Nobody in the ancient world questioned whether Jesus existed because they simply knew he had. It wasn’t a matter of whether Jesus lived and died, but rather did he die and again live. It’s only in this generation that so many have turned completely from Him, denying Him – the great falling away He warned us of.
John 7:42 “Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”
He was born in Bethlehem, in a manger or cave. He is royalty because He is the root of David, but He wasn’t born like royalty. David’s blood makes Him a King, but he wasn’t born like a King. Being God’s only begotten Son gave Him the world, but he was born in a cave with nowhere else to go.
He escaped being murdered by Herod the Great. Why did Herod want a baby murdered? To protect his crown and throne, just like monarchs have done throughout history. Herod killed many children, including his own, to protect his crown. If the world wasn’t watching today, I can see a few world leaders following in Herod’s footsteps.
“Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men” (Matthew 2:16).
The birth of Jesus didn’t happen in year 0. He was most likely born in 4 BC, as Herod was still alive, but not for long. The scriptures do not give much detail into the childhood of Jesus other than at 12 years of age he was missing for three days but was found in the Temple, studying and talking about Gods word, HIS WORD.
He was a child but He was also the Word made flesh. Born in Bethlehem, which literally means house of bread or flesh.
“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS GOD” (John 1:1).
In 2 BC, Caesar Augustus celebrated his 25th year as emperor of Rome. The year 2 BC was also the 750th year since Rome’s founding. Romans were extremely proud of being Roman. To buy citizenship was one thing, but to be born Roman was quite another. Saul, persecutor of God’s people, was Roman. This certainly gained him some favor on his many religious missions.
The temple was everything to the first-century Jewish people; it was the most beautiful building ever designed. The disciples even pointed out its beauty to Jesus. His response was that “not one stone would remain standing.” Not one stone has been left standing either. The physical temple was destroyed but the Holy Spirit now dwells within us. With the temple still standing, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would remain a Jewish god in the eyes of the people. Jesus, who is One and the same with God, was preached to the Gentile world, and Christianity has grown for 2,000 years.
Gamaliel was a well-respected Jewish Rabbi that Saul studied under. Of Christians, he said, “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was welcomed and cheered for by many Jews with shouts of HOSANNA! HOSANNA! But just three days later, they screamed for and demanded his crucifixion. Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands of any involvement in Jesus’s crucifixion, gave Jesus over to be flogged, humiliated, spat upon and crucified. He willingly was like a lamb led to the slaughter. For YOU. For Me.
For 2,000 years, Christians were told Pontius Pilate didn’t exist. The scholars claimed he didn’t exist. And now, in the last few decades, two amazing artifacts were found in Israel. One is a stone plaque found in Caesarea that says “Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea.” The other, a ring bearing the name of Pontius Pilate, curator of Judea. These rings were common for political leaders, as they were used to seal important letters and documents.
The political climate in Israel during Jesus’s ministry was much like it is today. You had two ruling political parties: the Pharisees, which Saul was among, and the Sadducees.
The Pharisees stressed living under laws and traditions, while the Sadducees were more conservative, not as into tradition, and wanted to work more closely with Rome. Neither saw the Messiah standing before them.
Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights and was tempted by Satan (Luke 4:1-12). But Jesus replied only using His Father’s word.
Satan said, “If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.’ And Jesus answered him, saying, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God’” (Luke 4:3-4).
Jesus is our bread of life. He is our Savior. His birth is a miracle.
Even the demonic spirits feared Christ.
Luke 4:33 “Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’”
He made fishermen, fishers OF men throughout the world. He healed the sick and the lame. He was a friend to Peter and son to Mary. The children wanted to be near Him, and the sinners wanted to be forgiven. He respected and loved women and taught us true equality among the sexes, as we are all one in Christ. He sat with, and broke bread with, tax collectors. Tax collectors were despised by the Jewish people. He raised Lazarus from the dead and healed Mary of Magdalene from her evil spirits.
Matthew 4:19-20 “Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”
Friends of the crippled and sick rushed to Him for one glance or one touch, their faith strong and their belief overwhelming.
Matthew 8:3 “Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately the leprosy left him.”
He walked with the best of men and worst of men. He was hunted as a child and again as an adult. As His ministry grew, the Pharisees’ anger and outrage grew. He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. He didn’t come to bring unity; He came to divide. Either you are for Him or you are against Him. The disrespect done to His Father’s house showed He too can have anger at the mistreatment of God the Father.
He overturned tables and pointed out the Pharisees’ putting traditions over God in heaven.
Mark 11:15-17 “So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, ‘Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations?’ But you have made it a den of thieves.’”
Micah foretold His coming to those waiting, but those waiting for Him rejected Him. Through their rejection we found our acceptance. We are saved by grace, through God’s loving mercy.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth to me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).
Jesus befriended the lowest of men at the bewilderment of the Pharisees.
“And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, ‘Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance’” (Luke 5:30-32).
Jesus came for the wounded, for the broken and lost. He came for the sinner, for the angry and suffering. For the widow and for the orphans. He came for those who call on Him, who cry out to Him and need Him. Your belief in Him saves you from damnation. He is our defender in the presence of God, our judge. Satan is the prosecutor who is trying to destroy God’s people.
When you feel alone, you’re not alone. He’s there, waiting to comfort you. Just call on Him. He has called all to follow and accept Him as Savior. He is the ultimate blood sacrifice. He is the Lion of Judah. He came as a Lamb but will return as a Lion and take what’s rightfully His.
He is coming again to judge those who rejected Him and loved pleasures of the world more than their Savior. No matter what you’ve done, who you’ve hurt, there is redemption. There is forgiveness. Call on Him.
Five hundred people saw Him after His resurrection, but millions upon millions will see Him return. For every eye will see Him and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord (Revelation 1:7; Philippians 2:10-11).
He will sit in all glory on His throne with a crown of gold on His head. He won’t be mocked, ridiculed and beaten this time. His crown won’t be made of thorns. His eyes will be like fire as He destroys His enemies. There will be no more tears and no more worry. Hunger and sickness will come to an end. The deaf will hear, the blind will see and the mute will speak. Those in pain will no longer hurt; he who has no legs will be renewed. The hardship and persecution will end, as He will reign in all glory.
The pleasures of the world will fade away. Sadness, fear and anxiety will be no more. He came to set you free, to give you true peace. All are called but few will follow.
He will reign on earth in His Kingdom for 1,000 years with all the world coming to worship Him. Can you imagine bowing before Christ, speaking to Him and living under His reign? Can you imagine touching just the hem of His garment?
This may be the last Christmas before Israel signs the “peace” plan with her enemies for false peace. The return of the Lord is imminent; it’s never been closer. Are you ready to meet Him?
This Christmas, as you eat dinner and open gifts with your family, remember what you are really celebrating—the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The King is coming!
I leave you with one of the most powerful testimonies of who Jesus Christ is, by Pastor S.M Lockridge.
God bless you all, and HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Here are the words from this famous sermon, “Seven-Way King” (That’s My King) as spoken by Dr. S.M. Lockridge (Detroit, 1976).
“My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven-Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s an Ethnic King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King.
“Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.
“He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Saviour. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King.
“He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King.
“Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King.
“His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you … but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, and He is irresistible.
“I’m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can’t contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King.
“He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King!
“Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory.’ Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever… And when you get through with all of the forevers, then…AMEN!”
Vanessa P