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Off The Throne

 
 
After the birth of Jesus, Magi (wise men) came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2). When King Herod heard about this he became greatly disturbed. Herod had been appointed King of the Jews by the Roman government; but he was only partially Jewish and not well accepted by the people.
 
King Herod knew of the Jewish scriptures and how the people were waiting for the Messiah; "The government will be on His shoulders" (Isaiah 9:6). He heard the words of the prophet which told where the new ruler would be born; "Out of you {Bethlehem} will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel" (Micah 5:2). Herod viewed the news of this new ruler as a great threat. How would this affect his right to be king? Would he lose power? prestige? control? ...comfort!?
 
The potential harm was unbearable so Herod decided to take action.
 
Matthew 2:16
"He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under."
 
Many people today are not much different than Herod. Even when we recognize Jesus and clearly see our need, we fear the loss of our ability to direct our own path. We may not actually take steps to destroy Christ, but the thought of releasing control seems unbearable. Somehow, we've been taught that submission equates to failure. But the reality is that true "success" is only found in Christ, and true comfort is only obtained by being set free from the power of sin and the entanglement of this world.
 
Jesus was, and always will be, very threatening to those who insist on sitting on a throne. It's foolishness to think Jesus will accept the position of Co-King. Those who attempt to enter a relationship with Jesus while trying to maintain their "right to rule" will never really know Him, and certainly never experience His peace.
 
Jesus will give Himself to "whoever believes in Him" (John 3:13). But in return, He asks for our total devotion: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30). We give Him proper worship - the worship He deserves - only as we submit and exalt Him above all else; "He must become greater, I must become less" (John 3:30).
 
During this season of celebration, let's ensure our relationship with Jesus is aligned with God's plan. He is the rightful Ruler and King - the Savior and Lord! Let's trust and worship Him with all our heart, and refuse to be threatened by His right to lead. Let's decide once and for all to relinquish control and get our pride-filled self off the throne.
 

Amen! The Day will come - soon I think - that Jesus Christ will come again to the earth and take what is His. Finally, He will not be denied His Throne and every knee will bow to Him. This evil and chaotic world is ripe for God to usher in the Tribulation Period - the final 7 years before the Second Coming of Christ. As for Christians, we have the Rapture to look forward to and anxiously await His Glorious Appearance.

Isaiah 2:1-5  The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.  2  And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.  3  And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.  4  And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  5  O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Jehovah.


Isaiah 9:2-7  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.  3  Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.  4  For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian.  5  For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire.  6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  7  Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.


Micah 4:1-3  But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.  2  And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  3  And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.