This is the fourth post in a series beginning with "The Gospel Probably Isn't What You Think." These posts will make the most sense if read in order.
Or if you have already read the above post, consider reading the one immediately prior to this one, "God's Kingdom in the Human Story."
In earlier posts, we showed how the gospel Jesus preached is the kingdom of God. We then explored how God’s kingdom is revealed in the human story and Israel’s story. But these stories are incomplete; they leave us waiting to see how God will restore our place in His kingdom. We need Jesus’ story to complete what is lacking in the stories of humanity and Israel.
Jesus is presented as God’s chosen king from the very first sentence of the New Testament, and in every page following. He’s called the “Son of David” and “Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1), reminding us of God’s earlier promises (see the last post for a recap). Furthermore, he’s called the “Christ.” We’ve so often heard this title used as a name that we’ve forgotten its true meaning. It literally stands for “anointed one,” and refers to the practice of pouring oil on the head of Israel’s God-chosen king. So whenever you see the word “Christ” in the Bible, try replacing it with, “God’s chosen King.”
Shortly after Jesus is born, he’s called the “King of the Jews” (2:2). King Herod and the religious leaders immediately understand the birth of this King as a challenge to their power (2:3). The arrival of God’s kingdom into our world poses a threat to human governments, who are still in rebellion against God.
Jesus’ announcement of the kingdom of God comes with healing miracles and demonstrations of power over demons. Jesus’ healings are a taste of the new order God’s kingdom brings. In His kingdom, the effects of the curse that came because of human rebellion are undone. Jesus’ feeding the five-thousand or turning water into wine shows us how His kingdom will be a place of plenty. When Jesus drives out demons, he reveals His power to free those enslaved to God’s enemy. These small victories prepare the way for Jesus’ great victory over the evil powers opposed to God’s kingdom.
Jesus creates a new Israel around Himself by choosing twelve people to be with Him. Israel was made of twelve tribes. By choosing these twelve people, Jesus clearly re-enacts Israel’s founding as a nation. As God chose Israel to be His kingdom on earth, Jesus chose a new Israel to restore and expand God’s kingdom.
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a humble donkey, fulfilling the words, “Behold, your King is coming to you… lowly and riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). This prophecy goes on to describe how, as the promised King, Jesus will bring peace to all nations and rule over them.
Nowhere is Jesus’ kingship more on display than on the cross. Roman soldiers make fun of Him by dressing Him in purple (the color of royalty) and placing a crown of thorns on His head. They jokingly salute Him as king. Finally, they nail Him to a cross with, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews,” written on a sign above His head. Jesus’ enemies think it’s all a hilarious joke; they don’t realize Jesus is doing what God’s messengers said the chosen King would do. By willingly dying for His people as an innocent man and infinite God, Jesus reverses the trend of human rebellion and ends the enemy’s claim to God’s people. In this way, He also crushes the snake’s head. Jesus shows that in God’s kingdom, “The King reigns from the tree. The reign of God has indeed come upon us, and its sign is not a golden throne but a wooden cross.”1
God confirmed all Jesus’ claims to kingship by making Him alive again. God’s messengers had predicted this also about His chosen King. By rising from the dead, Jesus demonstrated His victory over God’s enemy. He also showed us God’s kingdom will reverse even death! After instructing His followers to preach the gospel to the whole world, Jesus returned to heaven, where He sits enthroned at God’s side. He has received power over all human governments and all spiritual beings. He’s waiting for His followers to complete their task, and when they’re done, He will come to destroy all rival kingdoms and claim His own.
In Jesus, all God’s promises to establish His kingdom among men come true. Jesus is the perfect Man who always obeyed God, the promised Warrior-King who would crush the snake’s head, the Son of Abraham who would bless all nations, and the righteous Son of David whose reign over God’s worldwide kingdom will have no end.
1. Lesslie Newbigin, Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and Western Culture.
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