The Name

The world has never seen a king like Christ, a ruler mightier than any earthly sovereign and more powerful than the unseen powers of the universe. Though He entered the world humbly, as an infant born in Bethlehem, Magi from the east still recognized Him as the newborn king. Though His reign unfolds in hidden ways, He has promised to come again, at which time He will reveal Himself unambiguously as “King of kings and Lord of lords.” When you pray to Jesus, the King of kings, call to mind His mastery not only over human beings but over nature, disease, and death itself.

Matthew 21:1-8

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bringthem to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “ Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘ Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’” So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:  “ Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’  Hosanna in the highest!”

Revelation 19:11-16

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Lord, my all-powerful King, I praise You for Your humility. Help me to seek first Your kingdom, forsaking my desire to build my own small kingdom. Infuse me with the values of Your kingdom. Help me to love my enemies, do good to those who hate me, serve the poor, and spread the good news of the kingdom everywhere I go.

Understanding the Name

The Jewish people at the time of Christ longed for a coming king who would be descended from their great king, David. By hailing Jesus as the “Son of David,” the large crowd who greeted Him as He entered Jerusalem was using a popular title for the Messiah. They expected their messianic king to restore Israel’s freedom and former glory. In the passage from Matthew’s gospel, Jesus fulfills the messianic prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, an animal that symbolized both peace and humility.

…The passage from Revelation 19 presents Jesus riding not on a lowly donkey but on a magnificent white horse, as befits the greatest of all kings. Throughout the New Testament Jesus is variously referred to as a “King,” “King of the ages,” “King of the Jews,” “King of Israel,” and “King of kings.” …

Studying the Name

Why do you think scripture presents the reign of Jesus in two such different ways, as the above passages? Write a list of qualities that would describe the perfect king. Now compare and contrast these with the lives of today’s rulers. What do you think it means to have Jesus as your king? How have you experienced His reign in your life thus far?