A New Year with a Fresh Theme!

Happy New Year! It is exciting to cross the line into 2024 and prepare for whatever adventure God has for you next! What aspects of His character will He reveal to you? What character developments will He mature in you? Where will you go? What will you do? Who will you serve?

Even though today isn’t much different than yesterday, it symbolizes a new year with fresh opportunities. A chance to stop doing unhealthy habits, create good ones, and deepen your relationship with Jesus.

There’s something so special about abiding in Christ and learning to tune your ear to Him. By no means am I an expert at it, but when I tune into His messages to me, it brings great joy! For instance, as I was praying about this year’s blog posts, the theme Christ is King came to mind. Instantly, ideas flowed for the faith column and a year’s developments were formed. The next day, I questioned if I was too hasty in that decision.

While reading the scheduled devotional portion of Scripture over the next week, I couldn’t help but see Jesus as King while studying the accounts of His dedication at the temple as a baby, and of the wise men visiting Jesus as a young child. While speaking with Sammy on Inspire Hope Podcast’s Christmas episode, though the theme was on gifts, I couldn’t help but notice our comments align with the theme of Christ being our King. It was spoken about at my church. Even messages on social media highlighted aspect of this theme. It was everywhere. And with each acknowledgement, my smile grew as the Lord confirmed His desire for this year’s theme to me.

So, before the Christmas story grows dust on it until the season approaches again, I want to draw your attention to the accounts in Luke 2 and Matthew 2, as the beginning of Christ’s human life significantly holds this theme from His birth. Yes, it goes way back before then, but this is where we’ll start today.

“There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

Now, Master,
you can dismiss your servant in peace,
as you promised.
For my eyes have seen your salvation.
You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples—
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to your people Israel.

His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed— and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:25-35

By the grace and favour of God, Simeon recognized Jesus as King; not just of Israel, but of the world. He called Him, “Master,” and recognized himself as a servant to this King. He acknowledged Jesus as humanity’s Deliverer, knowing God had indeed become flesh in the small baby Simeon held in his arms. Jesus would be, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.”

What an experience that would have been! The Lord revealed such profound truth to this man. God shared the powerful revelation of Jesus being Saviour and King to the world, but He also didn’t hide the pain of this truth either, as is obvious in his following statement to Mary:

Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed— and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The authority and responsibility of Kingship comes at a price. Jesus was the atoning sacrifice for us all. Though that doesn’t necessarily signify Him as a king, it does make me reflect upon the sacrifice a great king makes for his people. A righteous king sacrifices his own desires in order to serve his people well. His reign isn’t based on popular votes and/or how many people like him. He was called to that position and must steward it well regardless of what others think of Him. He must put others first and do what is right, no matter the cost. A great king rides out in the front of the line in battle to be the example and lead his people in bravery. Doesn’t this all reflect the heart of our King, Jesus?

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.

 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah:
Because out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”

After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:1-5, 9-11

These well-respected, high-status, Gentile men were not ashamed to fall at the feet of a little child to pay Him homage, for there was something spectacular about Him. The star had sent them on a journey to identify this King of the Jews and they were, “overwhelmed with joy,” when they found Him. It didn’t matter His age or status, they knew He was the King, and therefore worshipped Him and gave Him homage with the gifts worthy of a king.

The title King of the Jews both marked the beginning of His human life and the end.

“There they crucified him and two others with him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also had a sign made and put on the cross. It said: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek.” John 19:18-20

It’s interesting that the sign was read by the Jews but also written in three languages so all at that time could read it. It was Gentiles who first identified Jesus as King of the Jews, and it was Gentiles who recognized it at His death, just as Simeon had prophesied at Jesus’ dedication as a baby:

“For my eyes have seen your salvation.
You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples—
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32

No matter where life brings you in 2024, may you enjoy the powerful love, sacrifice, and wonder of your Messiah being Christ your King! May this fill you with all hope as you grow in love and maturity in Him.