The Rest of the Story / Expecting a King

Jesus the Christ
Various passages December 11, 2022     

1. Introduction:
   1. At the time of Jesus birth, every Jew’s hope was wrapped up in the one they called the Messiah, the one who was coming to be a forever king who would reign forever over a forever kingdom.
      1. The New Testament translates that Hebrew word into Greek with the word “Christ”  Read John 1:40-41 
      2. So simply the Messiah or Christ is synonymous for the King of Israel.  
         1. Read Matthew 2:1-4
         2. Show them that “King of the Jews” in v2 is equivalent to “Christ” in v4. 
      3. They were waiting and hoping for this Messiah/ Christ/ King because they were under the rule of Rome and they longed for the day when the Christ would come to set them free from Rome and set up God’s kingdom here on earth.
   2. When we think of the rest of the story of Christmas, we need to understand that Jesus was not just born to die, but he came to present himself as the King over both Israel and the whole world.
   3. Their expectations and hopes were shaped by what they knew about him from the Old Testament – summarize
      1. He would be God himself (Isaiah 5:7; 9:6-7; 24:23; Micah 4:7; Zechariah 14:9,16-17) who would dwell in their midst as a victorious warrior (Zephaniah 3:15-17; Zechariah 2:7-10) judging the nations (Psalm 110:5-6; Isaiah 42:1; 63:1-6; Zechariah 14:1-3,12-15;) and saving Israel so that they dwell in safety forever (Jeremiah 23:5-6; Zechariah 14:11). One from the line of Judah (Genesis 49:10) and the line of David (2 Samuel 7:12-19; Psalm 132:11), who would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and preceded by a messenger who would prepare the way before him (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3;1).  
      2. He would enter into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9) to be their  king forever ( 2 Samuel 7:16; Daniel 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7),  over God’s kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:16; Daniel 2: 44; 7:14 ), ruling over all the world (Psalm 2:4-12; Psalm 110:1-3; Isaiah 2:2-4; Daniel 7:14;  Zechariah 9:9-10; 14:9-10) from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:1-3; 24:23) after he enters through the east gate of the temple to set up his throne there (Ezekiel 43:1-7).  
      3. He would be anointed by the Spirit of God to be the King (Isaiah 11:1-5), a priest (1 Samuel 2:35; psalm 110:4) and a prophet like Moses in whose mouth God himself would put his words (Deuteronomy 18:15:18).  A prophet who would preach good news to the broken and imprisoned (Isaiah 61:1-2).  He would be the good and faithful shepherd who will care for them (Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11-16) and supernaturally heal their infirmities (Isaiah 35:4-6).
      4. Therefore, this is what would have been in the mind of a Jew at the coming of Christ based on what they knew from the Old Testament.  

• Now we need to know that …

1.   Jesus born to be King
   1. Before he was born Jesus was King– John tells us in John 12:41 that when Isaiah saw that great vision of the glory of God sitting on the throne in Isaiah 6, that is was Jesus whom he saw.   
   2. At his birth, the angels announced that Jesus was a king, the Magi affirmed it and King Herod even tried to kill baby Jesus because he knew he was the King of the Jews!
   3. The whole book of Matthew was written to prove Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the King of Israel they were all waiting for.      
   4. During Jesus’ life he claimed to be the Messiah/ Christ/ King
      
      
      
      1. In Luke 4 - when Jesus began his ministry, he read in the synagogue a passage of Scripture about the Messiah from Isaiah 61.  Then he said this, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”  They understood clearly that Jesus was proclaiming himself to be the Messiah and the people were so angry they threw him out of the city and tried to kill him
      2. In John 4 – the Samaritan woman said to Jesus “I know that the Messiah is coming and when he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her “I, who speak to you, am he.”
      3. In Matthew 16 when Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus told him that this was a supernatural revelation that the Father opened up to Peter!
      4. At the triumphal entry
         1. Matthew said that it was to fulfill the prophecy of Israel’s king coming to them 
         2. The crowds recognized and affirmed him as King as they cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David” and “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.”
      5. In Matthew 26 - we saw that the high priest asked Jesus directly, “Are you the Christ, the Son of God?” 
         1. Paraphrased for us that is, “Are you the coming king, are you God himself?” 
         2. When Jesus said he was; the high priest accused him of blasphemy and condemned him to death.
      6. In John 18 Pilate asked Jesus directly, “Are you the King of the Jews?” After a little discussion about this, listen to how the conversation closed.  
         1. Read John 18:37 
         2. So here is the rest of the story of Christmas, Jesus was born to be a king and keeping things in context – that is the truth he came to bear witness of, the truth that he is a king!
   5. Finally, when the charges were put above the cross for the reason for his death it said – “the King of the Jews” 
      1. The Pharisees wanted it to say, “He said he was” the King of the Jews 
      2. But Pilate insisted it stay as the King of the Jews 
   6. Jesus not only came to present himself as King and we are not only waiting for him to come back to be the king in the millennial kingdom but Jesus always was, is and will be King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords!  

• So what does that mean for you and me this Christmas

1. Application 
   1. Simply a king is the one who has the right to rule, he has the right to direct, order, command.  He has the highest rank and superior status over everyone and everything in his kingdom. He is preeminent and has first place over everyone and everything in his kingdom.  
      1. It is what we sometimes refer to the lordship of Christ.  While our response to him, as Savior is to trust him, our response to him, as Lord is to obey him.   
      2. Luke 6:46 
   2. When we think of a king, we think of King Charles!  He is really distant from the details of people’s lives and his decisions make an impact but in a very general way.  
      1. So when we think of Jesus as King we often think of him reigning from a distance over the world or for some even in the future when he returns.
      2. But Jesus is an up-close kind of king, who is reigning right now over with the intimate details of his people’s lives! 
   3. Turn to Colossians 1.  Read v16-18
      1.  All things created through and for him!
      2. First place in everything!
         1. ESV – preeminent  
            1. Web - before all others in importance, having paramount rank
         2. MSG – towering far above everything, everyone!
         3. Amplified explains this as he will stand supreme and be preeminent in everything!
      3. That sounds like a king to me, an up-close king over everyone and every detail of their lives!
   4. Implications for you and me this Christmas is that Jesus was not only born to be King over Israel and the whole world in the future but also born to be our King, our Lord who has first place over everything in our lives right now.   
   5. So does Jesus have first place in everything in your life?   Is he ruling and directing your life from the throne of your life, or are you sitting on that throne of your life, ruling and directing your own way?

• Let me do a quick check up like your primary care pastor! 

1. Heart 
   1. Affections – is Jesus truly the top love and delight of your heart or is some local sports team, political party, or reaching some achievement or position, or certain pleasures I have become addicted to, or certain things you want to get?
   2. Motives so as to do everything in life to the glory of God, 
   3. Choices you make consistent with the choices Jesus would make if he were in your shoes – by the way he may not be in your shoes but he is in your heart, 
2. Head
   1. Thought life so as to focus upon that which is true and pure, 
3. Tongue
   1. Words you speak to others so as to build them up, encourage them and point them to Jesus, 
4. Assets
   1. Possessions – am I stewarding everything I have as one who is managing what God really owns or do I treat it as my own, doing whatever I want with it?
   2. Money – am I honoring God with the first fruits of my money by giving that to him and am I using all my money under his direction for his glory, 
5. Relationships – 
   1. Am I connecting deeply with other believers to support one another in our walk with Jesus or am I being influenced primarily by those who do not know God so as to forget that bad company corrupts good morals, etc. 
   2. Jesus/Christmas - does Jesus have first place this year in your Christmas plans, your family gatherings, your decorations, your gift giving, your music, your conversations with your kids and friends about Christmas? 

1. Let me ask you this – 
   1. What is that still small voice of the Spirit speaking to your heart this morning?
   2. Even more importantly now – what specific thing or things are you going to do in response to what he is speaking to you about?
   3. Take a moment to consider those two questions