Doxologies: That’s My King
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“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15
Who is Jesus to you? Don’t answer this question quickly. Take time and really think through your answer.
For over 2,000 years, many titles have been ascribed the Jesus: teacher, healer, prophet, rabbi, friend, savior, and lord, to name a few. But, have you ever truly considered Jesus to be your “king”?
In Daniel 7:13-14, we read about a vision that the prophet receives during the Babylonian exile, a vision that he didn’t understand at first:
“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.
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.”
Certainly, this vision would have perplexed Daniel. The “Ancient of Days” is a reference to God, but there was no “son of man” that could stand full-faced in the presence of God and live. Not only does this “son of man” approach God, but he is honored and glorified and given an eternal kingdom! We can see that this son of man is no ordinary man, but is to be crowned as a king. So, who is this, “son of man”?
Over eighty times in the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the Son of Man: four of those occur outside of the gospels, thirteen are mentions by others about Jesus, and there are almost seventy occasions where Jesus is referring to Himself! One of the most famous examples is found in Mark 16 as Jesus stood before the council of the high priest. The high priest, seeking to accuse Jesus of blasphemy, asks,
“Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Mark 16:61-62
In this one statement, Jesus declares Himself to be the coming King, prophesied by Daniel nearly 600 years prior. Jesus affirms His role as the great mediator between God and man; it is in His death and resurrection that we see His power as not just king over life, but also king over death.
As we prepare ourselves to celebrate this risen King on Easter Sunday, let’s be reminded of who this King is:
Wise – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)
Protector – “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifted of my head.” (Psalm 3:3)
Just – “O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the may earth strike terror no more.” (Psalm 10:17-18)
Patient – “But I [Paul] received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost [sinner], Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16)
Provider – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
Forgiving – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Loving – “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in hm.” (1 John 4:16)
And the greatest attribute about this King is not that He places the weight and responsibility of righteousness on His people, but that He is…
Self-Sacrificing – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Every other earthly king places the weight of taxes, development, and defense of their kingdom on the shoulders of their subjects. Not Jesus. He took all the weight and burden and placed it upon Himself so that we could know freedom and restoration found in a relationship with our Creator.
So, I ask again. Who is Jesus to you? As for me, He is the great and mighty King!
LYRICS
Verse 1:
I wish I could tell you
Wish I could describe it
But I can’t contain it, can’t keep it to myself
There aren’t enough colors
To paint the whole picture
Not enough words to ever say what I found
Pre-Chorus:
Wonderful and beautiful and glorious and holy
He is merciful and powerful
Who we talkin’ about? That’s my King!
Chorus:
We declare the glory, give Him all the honor
Altogether worthy
Who we talkin’ about? That’s my King!
There’s no one before You; Yes, we will adore You
All of this is for You
Who we talkin’ about? That’s my King!
Verse 2:
I’m not letting the rocks cry
Without joining the chorus
There aren’t enough notes to make the harmony
It’s the song of the angels
Through all of the ages
It’s all of the earth and heaven’s symphony
Bridge:
That’s my King, that’s my God
That’s my Shepherd, my Protector
That’s my King, that’s my Rock
That’s my Anchor, my Defender