
Many years ago, Dr. John Guest, an English evangelist came to the U.S. to preach the gospel. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, he stayed with a couple whose hobby was collecting pre-revolutionary war antiques.
One day, he accompanied them to an antique store. There he saw a sign that read, “No man our king.” John turned to his friends and asked this penetrating question. “Tell me how I preach the kingship of Jesus to a people who are predisposed to reject the authority of kings?”
For most of human history, for better or worse, people were ruled by kings. They had life and death power over everyone and were the absolute authority in the land. Disobedience wasn’t an option!
It’s true; Americans have no use for kings. We value democracy. We want the right to govern ourselves.
So this Christmas, it’s worth reflecting on this question;
Are you absolutely sure you want the king?
We all love the idea of baby Jesus at Christmas. The gift of his birth costs us nothing. And salvation costs us nothing. But the baby grew to be our king. And once we chose to follow him, he expects our complete allegiance. As the Heidelberg Catechism says, “I am not my own, but belong body and soul, in life and death to my faithful savior, Jesus Christ.”
Does that describe your life? Would the people who know you best consider you surrendered to the authority of the king of kings?
Please take the week between Christmas and New Years for some self-examination. What habits, attitudes or relationships have you not yet surrendered to the authority of your king?
How following Jesus works in real life.
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