During every election cycle we face in the U.S., I am reminded of one John Calvin’s thoughts concerning political leadership in government, “God gives us the leaders we deserve.” I do believe this is a true statement and yet, the reality of our form of government in this land has led many to shout with revolutionary flair, “We have no Sovereign!” This phrase was used during the time of our war for independence and was a response to the king of England. It is also used as propaganda by the modern and practical atheists today. Practical atheists live as if there is no sovereign over them, but the Bible teaches the exact opposite is true. To see this aspect of Jesus Christ’s sovereignty in this time, we are going to go to Scripture and see Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The protoevangelium is the first promise of a coming Savior for mankind (Gen. 3:15). Due to man’s reckless rebellion against their Creator and law giver, man was banned from Eden and the only hope of being found was this seed of the woman. The promise of the seed continued through the generations from Adam to Noah, to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah in Genesis 49:10, which speaks of a scepter not leaving the tribe of Judah. The message of Balaam in Numbers 24:17-19 contained a prophecy of the coming King of Israel. The climax of the promise of the kingly seed comes to David in 2 Samuel 7. The promise went from Adam, all mankind, to one family, Abraham. The Davidic kingly seed continued the prophetic and poetic promises until their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Matthew reveals this kingly Messianic genealogical chain from Abraham to Judah to David to Jesus (Matt. 1:1-17). Even the wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem looking for the King of the Jews, having followed the star (Matt. 2:1-2). Each of the Gospel accounts give similar revelatory glimpses concerning Christ’s kingly office.
Due to the biblical reality of Jesus kingship, we confess with these words,
Q. 31. Why is He called “Christ,” that is, Anointed?
A. Because He is ordained of God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit1 to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption; and our only High Priest, who by the one sacrifice of His body, has redeemed us, and ever lives to make intercession for us with the Father; and our eternal King, who governs us by His Word and Spirit, and defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us. (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 31)
First, Jesus Christ is our eternal King. He is the fulfillment of promise in the Davidic Covenant that a son of David would sit upon his throne for eternity (2 Sam. 7:12-13). At Christ’s ascension, we find that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father (1 Pet. 3:22). Jesus was born in Bethlehem, fulfilling the messianic promise that the Davidic king would be born in David’s city (Micah 5:2-4). Throughout the gospel accounts, we find many recognizing the fact that Jesus is the promised son of David and therefore the proper king of Israel (Matt. 1-2). He is still reigning as king overall and is still king today and will be king tomorrow (Rev. 4:2). This is the hope we have of an eternal king who reigns now. We are not waiting for His reign to begin for it is the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 2024 (A.D.).
Next, Jesus Christ governs us by His Word and His Spirit. With this part of our catechism’s answer, we find three matters to consider. Firstly, He governs us. This points to the administrative work of the Eternal King. He governs, which seeks to explain the overseeing work of God. God created all things visible and invisible, provides for His creation, and governs all that He created. Here Christ governs all that is created and redeemed. Secondly, He governs His church by His Word. The Scriptures are the authority for faith and life for every believer where we find all that is needed to know about our salvation, for worship, and life. Thirdly, He governs us by His Spirit. Every believer is filled with the Spirit of Christ who continues to minister to us. The Spirit convicts us of sin, and He brings about the new birth and gives faith to the repentant believer. The Spirit continues to grant the eyes of faith to see Christ in Scripture and the ears of faith to hear what the Spirit has to say to the Church today (Rev. 3:22).
Third, our Eternal King Jesus Christ defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us. A king, as well as any magistrate, is to defend and preserve the lives of his citizens. Jesus carries out these responsibilities in several ways, and we will mention only a few. As the one who bears the sword, He protects His people. There is no room for pacifism for this King, the commander of the Lord’s Army. Our King Jesus prosecutes justice for His people; He is the just Judge who will not let the guilty go free. He will divide those who have rebelled against His authority from those who willingly bow the knee to the Lord Jesus. Third, as King, Jesus preserves His people by providing them with work, shelter, security, food, water, and peace. Fourth, Jesus not only preserves our lives today, but He also preserves our lives for all eternity. His redemption is eternal, just like His reign as King.
Following the biblical foundation and confessional support, we can glean two key points of application. First, because Jesus Christ is King, He has subjects. Jesus is a king and therefore, He has a kingdom. Those who are members of His church are members of His kingdom, and every Christian is a citizen or subject of the kingdom of heaven. Second, we are to be ambassadors of Christ to the world. We are not a hidden kingdom cowering in the woods or shadows with passwords and secrets. Rather, Christ’s ambassadors are spread throughout this world. Wherever the church or a believer is found, we find the kingdom of heaven spreading. We can be encouraged by all of this for our King of Kings reigns with a kingdom that is indestructible and eternal.
Luther finally had peace as he realized that salvation was earned on his behalf by Jesus Christ and therefore cannot be earned through good works, penance, or indulgences.
Dr. J.P. Mosley, Jr.
Professor of Biblical Studies
and Systematic Theology
Heidelberg Theological Seminary,
Sioux Falls, SD