Scripture declares Jesus as the King of kings. But what does this title mean?

In the Old Testament, the title of king of kings is used three times to reference an earthly king with no equal. All three of these references were to indicate that the king had no earthly equal or challenger. However, though these kings had no equal in the day of their rule, they would not nor could not maintain their place of authority. All succumbed to the frailty of the flesh, and others would rule their nations and empires.

In the New Testament, the first reference to Jesus as the King of kings is in 1 Timothy 6:15, where Paul encourages the church to remain faithful until Jesus returns. But the most often quoted biblical references to Jesus as the King of kings comes from John's revelation, where Jesus in His second coming is described as the King of kings.

The kingship of Jesus is a theme that runs from the beginning to the end of Scripture's testimony. When God promised king David that his throne would be established forever (2 Samael 7:12, 16), He was speaking of Jesus. When Isaiah prophesied in 9:6-7, he was speaking of Jesus. Micah 5:2 prophesies that a ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem. Micah was speaking of Jesus. When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, he told her that her child would be a king. When the Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, they were looking for the king of the Jews. When they found Jesus, they worshiped Him and presented gifts fit for a king. (Matthew 2:1-12) Herod was so afraid of the kingship of Jesus that he attempted to murder him by killing all the male children in Bethlehem and the surrounding regius that were two years old and under. (Matthew 2:16-18)

In this passage from John, we have the first reference in his gospel account, referencing Jesus as king. I want you to see from this passage that you must submit to the King and invite others to follow the true king. And when you come to know Jesus as the true king, it is only the beginning of greater glories to be revealed and known.

Who you recognize Jesus to be determines how you respond to Jesus.

Suppose you see Jesus as an interesting historical figure of the first century. In that case, you may give a passing interest to his life and impact on the world but will pay little attention to him beyond what your curiosity will drive. If you see Jesus as a great moral person, you may respect him for the life he lived and think it may be a good idea to emulate his example. Suppose you see Jesus as a wise or insightful religious teacher. You may feel compelled to study his lessons and even incorporate his teachings into your life.

Toward the end of John's ministry and the beginning of Jesus', he saw Jesus coming toward him. He shouted for all to hear, "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" He went on to say that Jesus was the son of God and the one for whom God had called him to prepare the way.

John wanted his disciples and all those who listened to him to know who Jesus is and what he came to do so that they might know true salvation found only in Jesus. Thus, he was focused on pointing the world to Jesus so that we might see who He is, know what He has done, and receive the gift of salvation.

The first chapter of John’s gospel is packed with some of the most amazing statements in all of scripture. John 1:14-18 is one of those passages. John declares in verse 14 that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The importance of this statement cannot be overstated.

- Jesus, who is all God and all man, came to dwell amongst humanity.

- Jesus, who is all God and all man, lived without sin.

- Jesus, who is all God and all man, died on the cross as a substitute and sacrifice for man’s sin.

- Jesus, who is all God and all man, rose from the dead three days later.

These claims are central and fundamental to Christianity. If you deny any one of them, you deny them all and the entirety of Christianity. John would say more about how Jesus worked to save us from our sins. Still, in these opening verses, he makes clear that Jesus is the promised Messiah, who demonstrates the grace of God so that we might know God the Father.

One of the marvels of modernity is the ability to push back the darkness. No longer are the schedules of our lives dictated by the sun's rising and setting. However, even with this transformational invention, man remains dependent on the presence of light. Light reveals what is. Light exposes the truth and deposes lies.

One of the most basic things we rely on light for is the ability to move around and find our way. Without light, we are lost. Not confused, not turned around but hopelessly lost. Without light, direction has no meaning. And yet even the faintest light can mean the difference between life and death.

John begins his gospel account with this most powerful introductory word: "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Jesus is the genuine light of God that dispels the darkness of this world and has overcome the curse of sin.

Thanksgiving, in the most basic sense, is an acknowledgment of a gift or act of service. We rightly express thanksgiving when we receive gifts, no matter the quality or value of the gift. Also, we rightly express thanksgiving when receiving service – even service that we pay for.

However, thanksgiving as an act of worship is entirely more significant and important. When you have a thankful heart that responds to God in worship with thanksgiving, this is more than simply acknowledging recite of a gift. Thanksgiving worship flows from the heart of one who recognizes their need, recognizes the source of their provision, and responds with worshipful praise and thanksgiving to the one who has provided.

Psalm 9 is a psalm of David. The psalm is divided into two parts. Verse 1-12 declares what God has done, and verses 13-20 declare what God will do. We could glean many things from this text, but three main truths are we are to be thankful for what God has done, thankful for what God will do, and thankful for who God is.

When Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinth church, he knew he had to confront some serious issues of sin. There was trouble in the church. Some members were guilty of sexual sin, others of drunkenness, and others were attempting to justify their worldly living with a perverted understanding of the grace of God. The city of Corinth was well known as a place of debauchery, and the church struggled to live holy in such a perverse context.

Paul would be unflinching in his confrontation of sin in the church. However, before he does, he begins with an encouraging word to remind the church who they are and the blessings they have received.

We, too, live in a cultural context of unrestrained debauchery. Likewise, the church today often struggles with living holy. Thus, it is good to hear again that those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus are saints of God, under the grace of God, and sustained by the faithfulness of God.

"And they lived happily ever after."

That's how good stories are supposed to end. No matter the difficulty, challenges, and struggles a character might have faced, we long for them to overcome, be victorious, or achieve success, then live the rest of their days "happily ever after."

Chapter 34 is one of the saddest and most despicable chapters in the Bible. It is such an ugly testimony that it is hard to find anything good to say about it. It is not a good moment in Jacob's story. However, in chapter 35, we witness a high moment in the life of Jacob.

Jacob is now an old man, but God is still working in his life. Old age can be seen as a time to slow down and rest. But, more dangerously, it can also be seen as a time to coast, relying on past efforts and decisions. Yet we see in Jacob that even in old age, he was ready to respond to the Lord's leadership.

Being humble before the Lord and recognizing our frailty are truths we are quick to acknowledge but do not truly appreciate until we find ourselves humbled.

In Genesis 34, we read the account of Jacob wrestling with God. This is not a testimony of Jacob's strength or tenacity but of God's power, patience, and grace. Throughout the night, Jacob thought he had been fighting to defend himself. At daybreak, when the Lord ended the fight with a touch to Jacob's hip, he realized that his fight was not against flesh and blood. Jacob began the night crippled with fear over worldly concerns, but he would welcome daybreak fearing the Lord. He had been humbled but blessed.

Jacob would walk with a limp for the rest of his life. However, his limp and physical limitations were a precious reminder of his weakness and the Lord's power. Only when you recognize your weakness and surrender to God's will, will you truly come to know His power and grace.

The arrogance of youth is cute in a toddler but destructive and costly in adulthood. There is grace when God teaches you humility and the true cost of sin.