Upheld In How A King Comes

How Does A King Come?

As I have pondered the meaning of Christmas these last few weeks, the light bulb turned on in my head. You know—the one that means you had an idea? It has that big balloon around it when you see it on paper—er—screen.

Jesus could have come with fanfare, as the carol “How Does A King Come?” declares. But He didn’t. No trumpets, golden robes or jewels for this King. He came to a stable for birth into His earthly experience. Or to be more correct, He came to a cave (so I understand) as a Baby with His virgin mother and heavenly chosen step-father.

Then the sky lit up with angel announcements and choruses to tell the shepherds to go see Him. Shepherds were the guys on the hills minding the animals. Hardly King’s attendants. It was much later that the Wise Men from the East came with their own golden robes, attendants and gifts.

As the song ran through my mind, I thought of all the ways a King may come. And I began to understand that the first coming of Jesus cannot be separated from the second coming of Jesus. It is one continuing strand in the history He has given to us earthlings.

How Was A King Missed?

All along Biblical history, the King was seen coming with His golden robes crowns, jewels, swords and shields. The Old Testament Israelites were waiting for this King to deliver them. Yet, somehow His first coming was missed.

Without the first coming, the second coming could not happen. And without the second coming, we would not have a lot of hope because the first coming was to usher in the second coming.

Got that?

If Jesus had not been born in the stable, to a poor family (the common people’s King), and grown up to die for our sins, then we would have no eternal hope.

Without the sacrifice of God leaving His home in heaven to die on the cross for us and take away our sin, then His resurrection, the second coming (which would then be the only coming) would be something to dread because it could only mean judgment and hell forever.

How Should We See Our King?

Soon after Christmas comes the feast of Epiphany—the time when the Wise Men sought Jesus, the newborn King. They had been watching the stars for His arrival and made an arduous trek across the desert to seek Him out. They brought gifts to honor Him. They understood this King had come to save them.

So, how should we see Jesus, our King? To worship Him, bring the gifts of ourselves to Him, and bow before His glory.

How Does A King Come?

How does a King come? In glory and majesty with gifts of salvation and promises of eternity in His tiny fists. That’s how a King comes.