Between Alpha and Omega

November 20, 1994

Christ the King Sunday

Did you ever sit at a window seat in an airplane and fly over your house, or over a part of the country you have lived in? I have... and I am usually amazed at how different it looks from the overview. I am always fascinated when I get the chance to fly at just how different everything looks when I am up above, and looking down on familiar scenes, seeing them in context.

GOD SEES THE END FROM THE BEGINNING, AND HE HAS PROMISED HE WILL NOT FORGET US, AND THAT HE WILL CARE FOR HIS CHILDREN

I. THE ETERNAL OVERVIEW: GOD IS SOVEREIGN - Daniel 7

Because of the gift of FAITH, we can end the year— and begin it again— with the certain knowledge that God IS, and that God is GOOD, and, as Hebrews tells us, God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Actually that is a faith statement. The glory of the Eternal is beyond description. But Daniel, and John on Patmos, and Isaiah, and others have "cracked open the door just a little" into the vistas of eternity, and have given us a glimpse into the glory. They give us a picture of a holy God, a God of Light and glory.

Into this glory comes a person, a human, a son of man, and to him is given the kingdom which will never pass away

This is usually taken as a prediction, something which shall take place. If we can understand, this is a view into eternity; this is the way God sees it just now. It is a finished and completed fact: Jesus is Lord! From everlasting to everlasting, from before Creation as we know it the word of the Lord has been settled in heaven.

II. THE VIEW OF THE "SON OF MAN" ON ASSIGNMENT - John 18

[We skip over this title "Son of Man" when Jesus uses it, but do you see the significance? In Daniel's picture of eternity it is the "Son of man" who receives dominion and glory and a kingdom that is everlasting.]

  1. There are two passages that can be used for "Christ the King" Sunday. If we used the passage from Mark 11 we see there a king who enters Jerusalem on a little donkey. A crowd of very ordinary citizens are cheering, little children are waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David!" In this one parade that Jesus ever permitted, it is hardly a state occasion. No brass band— no waving silken banners. Yet it does unsettle the authorities.
  2. In this passage (John 18) the scene seems even less "kingly," at least on the surface of it. There is some pomp and ceremony; Jesus does not have any of it. Pilate represents the conquering power of Rome; he cannot afford not to show his power. There is a palatial residence, and a royal, uniformed guard. A robed representative of the mightiest earthly kingdom in the world comes to the entrance of a courtyard where a solitary prisoner, obviously weary and bruised, stands bound.

How can this possibly be the scripture for "Christ the King?" How can we understand? Pilate is supposed to be making a judgment on whether or not Jesus is worthy of death.

You remember the outcome— the verdict was "Innocent! I find no fault in this man!" The sentence was death by crucifixion.

III. THE ETERNAL SON OF MAN AND THE CRUCIFIED JESUS IS THE SAME PERSON! - Philippians 2:5-11

It seems such a long, long way from the heavenly vision of Daniel, or Isaiah, or John's Revelation to this scene in Pilate's courtyard. And it IS a long way!

But believe me, it is the same Person! Paul tells us something of the road Jesus took so that we could know how much God loves us. WHY Jesus ever left the eternal glory is beyond my power to understand. But we know that Jesus came...

  1. to show us God. He is the express image of God, the Word.
  2. to show us God's LOVE: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
  3. to bring every one of us into His kingdom.

There is no question: Jesus is Lord! He is not "going to be Lord" for he is sovereign, and his glory will be revealed. That is what Daniel's scene tells us.

But that second scene, where Jesus stands before Pilate, tells us a great deal, too. We know now that Jesus was not on trial that day, but Pilate himself, and those who accused Jesus, and all his disciples— they were the ones who had to make a big decision. Where they stood is where we stand today; we think we are deciding who Jesus is. But Jesus IS who HE IS! Jesus is the great I AM THAT I AM. Our decision does not change who Jesus is. But it makes all the difference to us!

Jesus is standing in Pilate's hall Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all Harken! What meaneth the sudden call, "What will you do with Jesus?"

What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be! One day your heart will be asking "What will He do with me?"