If I asked the question, “Who is the
greatest earthly king ever?” I would likely get
a range of responses. Biblically, most of us
would think of David. Outside of Scripture,
however, there are any number of kings who
might come to mind. In Christendom (which
would exclude David), many believe
Charlemagne to be the greatest king of all.
Although the way in which Charlemagne
approached “evangelism” was problematic, to
say the least, he was a successful and much-
loved ruler in his day and time. He had great
power, and he wielded great influence. Like all
kings, he could go where he wanted, do what
he wanted, and say what he wanted. His word
was law. And, those who chose not to abide
by it paid the price.
Kings are powerful people (queens, too, by
the way). Kings are folks who sit at the very
top of the food chain, as we might say in our
world. Throughout human history, up until this
very moment, in fact, kings have ruled over
kingdoms wide and far. Some of these
kingdoms are vast; some not. Some kings
have ruled with an iron fist; some not. Some
have been beloved and lauded for their
benevolence and their care for their subjects;
some not. Some are remembered in history—
or recognized in the present—for their ability
to lead effectively and compassionately; some
not. In short, some kings are good; some not.
They answer to no one on this earth. As
stated earlier, they are literally at the very top
of the food chain. In other words, their word is
final. When the king says to do this or to do
that, it is a demand—a solemn requirement—
that his instructions be followed to the letter.
For the most part, there is little to no
negotiating with kings, at least once they
have made up their minds. They are the
law. They live above the rest of us, and
their decisions are final.
Pilate famously wrote that Jesus was
“The King of the Jews.” Pilate was correct
in this. Jesus is the king of the Jews. He
also is king of the world. He also is King of
Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the risen
ruler, and the one without whom “not any
thing was made that was made” (John
1:2). Jesus is the conduit of creation. He is
the Holy One of Israel. He is God in the
flesh. His is the name above all names. He
is the one to whom every knee will bow,
whether under the earth, on earth, or in
heaven above. Jesus is Savior, Lord,
Redeemer, Friend, and King. He is exalted
above all else.
But Jesus is a different sort of king. He
did not sit in high places aloof from his
subjects. In his time on earth, Jesus did
not separate himself from the needs of the
people around him. He did not isolate in
swanky palaces and dine on delicacies,
surrounded by fearful servants. On the
contrary, Jesus lived as a servant. Jesus
walked among the downtrodden and the
disregarded. Jesus made friends with the
marginalized. Jesus touched the
untouchable. He loved the unlovable. He
sat at table with the worst of society, and
he had compassion on them.
King Jesus broke bread with the dregs
of the community. He demanded no finery
and no protection. All he asked was
devotion to the Father through him, and
imitation of this way of life. He was a
different sort of king.
–Ricky