King of Kings

by Jill Rhodes

May 2005

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world.  If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews;  but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."
John 18:36

"Jesus rose up from the place where the kingdoms of the world shimmered before Him, where crowns flashed and banners rustled, and hosts of enthusiastic people were ready to acclaim him, and quietly walked the way of poverty and suffering to the cross."  (Helmut Thielicke)

As hell aligned its allies to draw an eternal line in the sand, Jesus aked the question of the ages, "Whom do you seek?... I am He."  And as He did, His words mowed down the entire Temple guard and Roman cohort like blades of withering grass on a hot summer day.  But then, who could stand against the power of His majesty, even when veiled in flesh?  Yet this was not His hour, but theirs;  a time when the kingsom of darkness would unleash its hateful fury upon the merciful Monarch; an hour when a kiss would turn a friend into a foe, when a freedom fighter would deny allegiance, when faithful followers would flee in terror.

The night would be filled with accusations, abuses, and bitter injustices, yet Christ would resist the temptation to refute His oppressors or refuse the cup set before Him.  The hour of grief pressed heavily upon the King of the ages, but the hour of glory was ahead;  and even though completely surrounded by the enemy, Jesus knew He was only one hill away from victory.  The night to come belonged to the prince of darkness, but in the end the King of kings would sovereignly rule the day.

Come and See

The Redeeming King

1.  Read Luke 19:29-41.  What did the people cry out as Jesus entered Jerusalem (v.38)?
     What do you think Jesus felt as the people hailed Him king?

2.  What three things did Jesus communicate to His people as He came to Jerusalem for the last time?  Luke 19:42-44;  Matthew 21:43-44;  Matthew 23:37-39

3.  What was written on the cross of Jesus (Jn.19:19)?  What do you think was God's purpose in this (Jn.19:20-22)?

4.  Normally, subjects willingly laid down their lives for their king.  What does it mean to you that the King of kings willingly laid down His life for you?

"The only kingdom Jesus sought to expand was the kingdom of God within the hearts of His followers.  He built no palace to be remembered by.  He extended no physical boundaries.  He is building heavenly [palaces] for us and extending the horizons of our souls.  What a loving and gracious Potentate!"  (Herbert C. Gabhart)

The Regal King

5.  Certain things were almost always associated with being a king.  Many of these were present as Jesus headed for the cross.  Match each passage with the picture it best represents:

A king's procession                John 18:36
A king's banquet                    Mark 15:16-20
A king's betrayer                   Matthew 21:1-9
A king's bodyguard                Matthew 26:14-16
A king's coronation                Matthew 26:50-53
A king's army                        Matthew 26:20-29

By the Book - Matthew is the book of the Bible that most regally pinpoints Jesus as King.  It was written specifically to present Christ as King to the Jews.  Beginning with the royal lineage of His Majesty, Matthew goes on to highlight the visit of the Magi to welcome the King, the kingdom laws as set forth in the Beatitudes, and many parables that describe the kingdom of heaven.  It also includes the declaration of Jesus' kingship at the triumphal entry, the apparent overthrow of His kingdom by His enemies, and the overwhelming triumph of the King through His resurrection.  It ends with the ever-growing expansion of Christ's kingdom in the giving of the Great Commission.

6.  In what ways do you think Jesus acted regally in the last hours of His life?

"Follow Him through all the scenes of the insult and outrage on that night and morning of His arrest and trial... How His inherent greatness comes out.  Not once did He lose His noble bearing or His royal dignity."  (C.I.Scofield)

The Rightful King

7. In the following verses which people or groups struggled the most with Christ's kingship?  Matt. 2:1-3; 26:14-16; 26:59;  27:24-26;  27:27-31;  Luke 23:8-12
Why do you think they refused to accept Jesus as king?

8.  How did each of the following treat Jesus like a king?
     Mary of Bethany (John 12:1-7)
     The Roman Centurion (Matt. 27:54)
     Joseph of Arimathea (Matt. 27:57-66)

9.  By his words on the cross, who did the penitent thief recognize Jesus to be (Luke 23:42)?  What difference did it make in his life (Lk. 23:43)?

10.  What difference does it make in your life when you recognize Jesus for who He is?

"The real issue is... is this:  Is Jesus to be worshipped or only admired?"  John Stott

The Road to Emmaus - From start to finish, Scripture is about the King of kings, the establishment of His kingdom, and the quality of His reign as seen in the following passages:

• In Psalm - Psalm 2
  How do the kings of the earth respond to the Lord's anointed King, His Son, in these verses?
• In Prophecy - Isaiah 16:5
  What are the qualities of the King of kings according to this verse?
• In Parable - Matthew 18:23-35
  What can you learn about the heart of King Jesus from this story He told?

Come and Follow

11.  What is the hardest thing in your life to give up your control over?  Why?
      Can you trust the King of the cross with it?  Why?

12.  Can you say right now that Jesus is your reigning King?  What, in your own life, most often competes for first place?

Take a moment right now to crown Him King of your heart.

Name Above All Names

At the name of Jesus every knee will bow... and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:10-11)

~  A Scepter - Numbers 24:17

~  King of Glory - Psalm 24:10

~  The King in His Beauty - Isaiah 33:17

~  A Glorious Throne - Isaiah 22:23

~  A Diadem of Beauty - Isaiah 28:5

~  Blessed and Only Sovereign  - 1 Timothy 6:15

~  King of Peace - Hebrews 7:2 

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Used with permission from Jill Rhodes' Bible Study "Come and Behold Him", A Study of the Names of Jesus.