June 12, 2024 -- Isaiah 11:1-2a -- What does it mean when we say Jesus is King?

There shall come forth a shoot,
   from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him…
Isaiah 11:1-2a ESV

Currently I have the privilege of attending the Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. The meetings are taking place on the beautiful property called Bonclarken. Each session of our meeting times, morning, afternoon and evening, from Tuesday afternoon until Thursday, begin with a sermon. What a treat to hear my brothers in the Lord preaching.

Yesterday evening the Rev. Gil Martin preached. He noted that a shoot, growth, new life from the stump of Jesse. Jesse was King David’s father. King David was a man after God’s own heart. If you know the Old Testament well, you also know that King David was quite a sinner. The LORD had promised there would arise, from the line of David, a new king. Interestingly, the kingship actually disappears. What was a mighty family it is called a stump, because the kingly line of David, humanly speaking, ended. There would be no throne, no coronations, no palaces for many generations.

Then, at the start of the New Testament, the Gospel According to Matthew, begins with Jesus’ genealogy. He is a son of David, the former king, but it also emphasizes the fact that Jesus is descended from Jesse. Jesus is the New King. Jesus is the new start to this Kingly line. He is perfect. He is sinless. He is the sacrifice Who can take away His people’s sins. He is the leader of His people, so perfect in His rule that the Spirit of the LORD rests upon Him and all who walk in obedience to Him. He is able to offer what David never could.

King Jesus lives forever—so His kingdom and His reign will never end.

King Jesus is able to purify the hearts of His followers—through the presence of His Spirit living in them. So the followers of Jesus are those who are growing in wisdom, in knowledge, in counsel and in the fear of the LORD (attributes which are listed at verses 2-3 of Isaiah 11).

King Jesus is LORD over all, and His visible Kingdom is stretching from sea to sea to sea. One day every eye will see Him, as He returns on the clouds with glory and splendor. Our lives are oriented to this moment, when all will see our King in His dreadful majesty and power.

King Jesus will return and judge the living and dead. His reign is so perfect, so complete, that every misdeed, every sin, every gross violation of the Holiness of God will be punished. Those who believe in Him now will know with a completeness they can only barely comprehend now, that their sins have been punished on Jesus’ Person at the cross. Those who refused Him here on earth, will be punished through-out all eternity in the terrors of hell. As King He judges the nations with justice and with complete righteousness.

King Jesus is so excellent, so worthy of honour and worship, that His people go far and wide to share His glory with all around. We go to the ends of the earth to declare His Sovereignty.

Jesus, the LORD reigns; let all the people tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim
let the earth quake.
O LORD, You are great in Zion;
You are exalted over all the peoples.
We join with Your people across the globe in praising You and blessing You.
Great and awesome Is Your Name, Jesus!
Holy is the Father,
Holy is the Son,
Holy is the Spirit.
Exalt the LORD our God;
worship at His footstool! Holy is He! Amen.

Today's prayer is based on Psalm 99; cherubim are angels. They are mighty in power and anyone in the Bible who sees one falls to the ground in terror. They are the messengers of God, doing His bidding.

https://youtu.be/BE4DDB5whyk?si=ym0uqF7SNj4IX1Gz “Jesus Shall Reign” Getty Music

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