I Am: A King – The Christmas Story

“You are right in saying I am a king.” John 18:37

Kingship is an idea closely tied to the promised Jewish Messiah. The Messiah was a prophesied King from the line of David who would be an anointed High Priest and savior of the Jewish people. He would bring peace and prosperity and would usher in a Messianic Age. The concept of the Messiah is based in ancient Old Testament prophesy – prophesy which Jesus would fulfill – much of it in his birth – which makes Christmas the perfect time to think about his kingship.

Long ago the Messiah was prophesied by Isaiah.

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel
(meaning “God with us”). Isaiah 7:14-15

and also…

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
Isaiah 9:6-7

The Messiah was long awaited for by the Jewish people. So when the time came for this special, long desired child to be born – there were many signs and wonders – beginning with the Virgin birth.

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:26-33

And then Mary’s child would be born – not in pomp and circumstance, but in humility and meekness, accompanied by more signs and wonders. It is written in Luke 2:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The Shepherd went and found the baby in the manger, just as the angels said they would. They shared the message from the angels: The Messiah is born! And here is a sign! It was not the only sign though. There was a star in the sky!

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.  And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Messiah being born, prophesy being fulfilled, is the joy of Christmas! It is the fulfillment of scripture that a Savior was born! A King! It is the hope for peace on earth and God’s kingdom reigning. But even as Jesus proclaims his kingship to Herod, he also declares, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” He wasn’t meant to be King of a geographic area, but King of Heaven. The Messiah came to fulfill another prosephy as well:

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.

Jesus’s death on the cross as payment for sin was also predicted long ago. His work was done on the cross to defeat death and sin by the power of his resurrection! Jesus said, “I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” His authority is in his kingship. He proved his authority when he rose to life again. He was witnessed by over 500 people – wonder of wonders! The Messiah then returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of God. And the Messiah will return again as King of King and Lord of Lords! Amen.