It is vital as we look to Jesus that we understand that we look to Him not only as Savior but also as King. Jesus the Savior is the same as Jesus; the Messiah is the same as Jesus the King. The kingship of Jesus is vital ground for a follower of Jesus. A story arose about a certain chess master. In the story, this chess master, along with a friend, went to see the Ingmar Bergman film ‘The Seventh Seal.’ The plot of this classic film revolves around a medieval knight who engages in a game of chess with death (the evil one). Throughout the film, these two make moves on each other. Then, as the movie comes to a climax, the Prince of Darkness makes a move and, with great finality, utters the word “Checkmate!”

With that, the curtain comes down, and the movie is over. [So, this not my kind of film because they have the bad people winning at the end.]

According to the story, the chess master, who was sitting in the audience, turned to his friend and, in a puzzled tone, exclaimed, “Why is he giving up? The king has one more move! The king has one magnificent move left that can turn the tide and win the game.”

Now that preaches. To the mother who is worried because her son seems to be hopelessly hooked on drugs, there is hope in the message: The King has one more move!

To the father, on the verge of despair, because his daughter is being sucked into a punk rock subculture marked by sexual promiscuity, there is comfort in the words “The King has one more move!”

To those who think that the future of the world can be only disaster, the words ring triumphantly: “The King has one more move!”

And to the pastor, whose church seems to be torn apart with tensions and conflicting theologies, there is the good news—the King has one more move!¹¹

In today’s podcast, we are going to take a look at the concept of Jesus as King: ‘Why Jesus Is the Powerful and Blessed King’ — that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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The Second Coming of Jesus: What You Need to Know

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You can view a basic transcript of this podcast at the bottom of this section.

Accept the Challenge

Each week’s podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put into operation.
This week’s call is:

The Word of God declares that you must call Jesus Lord to be saved — that’s Romans 10:9–10. Here’s the question what’s the difference between calling Jesus Lord and calling Him King? Have you installed the King on the throne of your heart?

Join the Conversation

Each week’s podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony. Testimony is vital to a believer’s life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11).
This week’s question is:

Question: What God particular have you experienced by walking with Jesus as Lord and King? Please share some of the details of your testimony in the comments section below so that others may be encouraged.

About Emery

Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 40 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. Both he and his wife Sharon of 35 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is both the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate it on Stitcher Radio and leave a review. If you have a suggestion for a Bible topic, you would like to see taught, or if you have a question, please e-mail me at emery@emeryhorvath.com

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Podcast Notes

Jesus Introduces the Kingdom

Matthew 4:12–17 (KJV) — 12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

• After Jesus moved His ministry headquarters to Capernaum in fulfillment of Bible prophecy, it was at that time that He began to preach the Kingdom of God.
• We should say King Jesus began to preach the Kingdom of God because where ever there is a kingdom, there has to be a king.
• In John twelve, a large crowd gathered when they heard Jesus was coming into town.

The Hosanna Gathering

John 12:12–19 (ESV) — 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.

17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

A Second Translation

• Let’s read this event, the Hosanna Gathering, in another translation — the Good News Bible.

John 12:12–16 (GNB) — The next day the large crowd that had come to the Passover Festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King of Israel!” Jesus found a donkey and rode on it, just as the scripture says, “Do not be afraid, city of Zion! Here comes your king, riding on a young donkey.” His disciples did not understand this at the time; but when Jesus had been raised to glory, they remembered that the scripture said this about him and that they had done this for him.

• This Good News Bible translation emphasizes the ‘king’ part a little bit more for us.

Historical Background: Many in Jerusalem to Herald the King

Great numbers assembled at Jerusalem at Passover time. Josephus speaks of a crowd exceeding 2,700,000 (Bell. 6.425). Even allowing for some exaggeration it is clear that large numbers could be expected at this feast. J. Jeremias estimates that on such occasions the city could accommodate 150,000 persons (Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus [London, 1969], pp. 82ff.).³

• The Kingship of Jesus is a vast Bible doctrine that we must understand.
• Wherever there’s a kingdom, there has to be a king.
• And, there were many in Jerusalem to herald the new King.
• So, with that being said, let’s look at some of the origins behind the King and his kingdom.

Origins of King and Kingdom in the Old Testament

• When the Messiah is referenced in scripture, it is one of two ways.
• Number one, the Messiah is referenced, as a King who establishes a kingdom on planet earth up to and including the ruling of all of the nations.
• Number two, as a Suffering Servant who provides the way of salvation by atoning for the sins of man.⁴
• Our focus in this podcast is on the ‘King’ aspect of the Messiah.
• This concept is one that originated in the Old Testament.

Jesus the King — Jesus the Branch in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 23:5–6 (ESV) — 5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,

• Let’s stop right there and talk about this righteous Branch.
• Who is this Righteous Branch that the scripture speaks of here?
• Well, if we continue reading in Jeremiah twenty-three, we get the answer.

5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’

• So, the Branch is the Lord our righteousness.
• The Hebrew word for ‘Lord’ here is the word, Yahweh.
• So, this Branch is Yahweh — this Branch is the Lord — this Branch is God.
• Notice also that this Branch will reign as a king.
• We are talking about king and kingdom here.
• The plot thickens when we go to Isaiah.

Jesus the King — Jesus the Branch in Isaiah

• Let’s listen to Isaiah on the Branch.

Isaiah 11:1–3 (KJV) — 1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, Neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

• Isiah adds this to the Branch’s identity that His lineage comes via Jesse.
• Jesse is the father of David, the king.
• We read that also in our passage in Jeremiah: ‘I will raise up for David a righteous Branch’ — that’s what we read.
• These verses in Isaiah are some of the most well-known verses that prophesy of the Messiah to come.
• The Spirit of the Lord rests upon the Messiah upon the Branch, and He does so in wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might — that’s what Isaiah tells us.
• We already know the Branch is Yahweh — that this Branch is the Lord — that this Branch is God.
• He is distinct from other men — the Branch is anointed in a different manner at a never before seen level.
• Now many men have been anointed by God throughout the annuals of human history? — So many that you can’t even number.
• But this anointing, spoken of in Isaiah eleven, resting on the Branch is an off the charts anointing.

Jesus the King: Anointed Without Measure

• Now, the picture becomes more apparent.
• We see the Spirit of the Lord resting on Jesus as He began His ministry.

Matthew 3:16–17 (KJV) — 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

• We understand the depth of that anointing from John.

John 3:34 (TNIV) — 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

• The KJV says without measure.
• Jesus had the Spirit without measure.
• Every human person before Jesus and after Jesus had the Spirit by measure.
• This man is different — this man is unique — this man Jesus is the King.
• There is another similar passage about the Spirit of the Lord resting on the Messiah fifty-chapters later in Isaiah sixty-one.

Isaiah 61:1–2 (KJV) — 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; Because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all that mourn;

• Do these words sound familiar?
• They should — Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 while attending synagogue services in his hometown of Nazareth.
• And after He finishes quoting them, this is what He said to the people hearing him in: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
• The anointed righteous branch reigns as king.

Other ‘King’ Passages

Psalm 47:8 (ESV) — 8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.

• God reigning over the nation in the person of Jesus is coming to a theater near you.

Psalm 96:10 (ESV) — 10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”

Isaiah 9:7 (ESV) — 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

• The Prophet Zechariah caps it off with this declaration.

Zechariah 14:9 (ESV) — 9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one.

Jesus the King in the New Testament

John 1:49 (KJV) — 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

• Note, Jesus did not correct Nathanael’s ‘King’ confession.
• He didn’t say, ‘No, Nathanael, you have it all wrong. I am not the King of Israel.’
• On the contrary, Jesus added to Nathanael’s declaration by quoting from the book of Daniel.
• The reference is to the Son of Man.

Daniel 7:13–14 (ESV) — 13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

• Who is this Son of Man whom Daniel saw in the visions of the night?
• Whoever He was, He had a direct connection to the Ancient of days.
• And, to this Son of Man was given dominion, to this exact one was given glory, and on top of that, a kingdom.
• Whoever this ‘Son of MAN’ was, he had such a dominion that it was described as everlasting.
• ‘Everlasting dominion‘ means one whose kingdom would not be destroyed by rebellion.
• Now, think about this kingdom and this Son of Man.
• If the kingdom is given to the Son of Man, then the Son of Man must be the king of the kingdom.
• Right?
• Again, every kingdom has to have a king.

One Difference between Monarchy and Democracy

• Now, you know, a kingdom is not a democracy.
• There’s a fundamental difference between the two.
• A democracy has checks and balances to limit the overall authority of the one in charge — the President.
• Those checks are in place to prevent the abuse of power.
• Abuse of power is common in the world of unregenerate man — you see it in the Bible.
• Nebuchadnezzar threw the three Hebrew boys into the fire because they wouldn’t bow down to the golden image that he erected.
• That’s an abuse of power.
• Pride and arrogance on the part of a pagan king was at work to generate this abuse.
• To put innocent lives at risk as Nebuchadnezzar did — That’s quintessential kingly abuse of power.
• You see, in a monarchy, there is little if any checks or balances — what the King says goes, period.
• If the king gets ticked off with you, oh well — I guess you’re in trouble.
• And, so you can see the possibility of unfairness and emotional judgments because of the sin nature at work in the man in charge.

What If There Was a Totally Righteous Person?

• But, what if there ever arose an absolutely righteous person, one-hundred-percent pure, and totally just?
• What if this person was perfect in all of their ways? — a person who never sinned.
• Who never had guile ever in their mouth?
• And with that thought, here’s the definition of the day.
• The word for ‘guile’ used in the New Testament is sometimes translated as deceit, lie, deception, or falsehood⁵
• What if there was a person who had no deception or craftiness in their mouth — a person of pure speech?
• Well, that person wouldn’t need checks and balances, would they?
• Such an individual wouldn’t need anybody looking over their shoulder.
• As a ruler, he wouldn’t need democracy.
• He wouldn’t need oversight.
• Every case brought before him would be judged with accuracy.
• If there were a penalty to be assessed, it would be the right amount.
• All of his verdicts would be fair.
• You know everybody hollers about what they think is fair.
• People are quick to tell you what isn’t fair to them.
• Integrity would be the order of the day if we had such a man, such a king.
• Well, the good news of the gospel is that we have such a man, and his name is Jesus.

The Righteous Reign of King Jesus

• And one outstanding characteristic of Jesus’ reign is that He will rule in absolute righteousness.

Psalm 72:1–4 (KJV) — 1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, And thy righteousness unto the king’s son. 2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, And thy poor with judgment. 3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, And the little hills, by righteousness. 4 He shall judge the poor of the people, He shall save the children of the needy, And shall break in pieces the oppressor.

The Righteous Judge

• This psalm is a prayer for an earthly king.
• But, if these words are the standard for an earthly king, how much more for the King of Kings?
• King Jesus will judge with righteousness.
• The Hebrew word for righteousness is sedek or zedek.
• Remember Melchizedek?
• The last five letters of his name are this same Hebrew word for righteousness.

Hebrews 7:1–3 (AMP) — 1 FOR THIS Melchizedek, king of Salem [and] priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 And Abraham gave to him a tenth portion of all [the spoil]. He is primarily, as his name when translated indicates, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, which means king of peace. 3 Without [record of] father or mother or ancestral line, neither with beginning of days nor ending of life, but, resembling the Son of God, he continues to be a priest without interruption and without successor.

• Melchizedek’s name with the ‘zedek’ ending means ‘king of righteousness.’
• Notice also that verse three says that Melchizedek resembles the Son of God.
• The Greek word ‘resembles’ means to be like or to be similar to.
• Melchizedek is just like Jesus.
• It’s not the other way around.
• Read the text carefully: ‘For this Melchizedek… resembling the Son of God…’
• The text didn’t say the Son of God resembles Melchizedek.
• Now, look at the 110th Psalm.
• I put brackets here in this verse to help you see who’s talking to who in this passage.

Psalm 110:1–2 (ESV) — A PSALM OF DAVID. 1 The LORD [the Father God] says to my Lord [Jesus Christ]: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” 2 The LORD [Father God] sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!

• The Father God is talking to Jesus here.
• He’s saying Jesus will rule among His enemies.
• ‘Ruling in the midst of your enemies’ is the language of a King.

Psalm 110:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. 4 The LORD [the Father God] has sworn and will not change his mind, “You [Lord Jesus Christ] are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

• Jesus Christ is the King of Righteousness; that’s one thing King Jesus will do — reign in righteousness.
• So, even though Psalm 74 is a prayer for an earthly king, yet we know that the King of Kings — King Jesus will be a ruler of righteousness.
• The standard by which Jesus the King rules will be the righteous standard of heaven. 2014), 578.
• I am going to repeat it; every kingdom has to have a king.
• The Kingdom of God has it’s king: King Jesus.

King Jesus References in the Gospel

• Take a listen to this string of verses in the Gospels.
• I have them in the show notes for you.

Matthew 2:2 (ESV) — 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Luke 23:2–3 (ESV) — 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”

Mark 15:32 (ESV) — 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

John 6:15 (ESV) — 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Other New Testament King Jesus References

1 Timothy 1:17 (ESV) — 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:15 (ESV) — 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Revelation 15:3 (ESV) — 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!

Revelation 17:14 (ESV) — 14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

Revelation 19:16 (ESV) — 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

• So you see the proof is abundant that points to Jesus as King both in the Old and New Testaments.
• We can see Jesus is the Powerful and Blessed King because God called Him the Branch, and then anointed Him with the Spirit without measure.
• Now let me ask you a question in closing.
• The Word of God declares that you must call Jesus Lord to be saved — that’s Romans 10:9–10.
• Here’s the question what’s the difference between calling Jesus Lord and calling Him King?
• Not much and so here Jesus words to the multitude as they shouted Hosanna.
• Jesus said to them, ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming.’
• Yes, He is!
• You guys have a great God week in Jesus’ Name Amen.

#S4-001: What Does Priorities in the Kingdom of God Look Like? [Podcast]

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