Rev’d Phil Zamagias, Christ Church Anglican
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There’s been a lot of talk in the world lately about kings. Whether they be real kings or wannabe kings, one thing is for sure: human kings will eventually let us down.
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The problem is that all humans fall short of the glory of God. That’s a hard thing to hear but if we are honest, we all let the team down occasionally.
When the fledgling nation of Israel was starting to get its act together, around 1000 years before Christ, the people cried out to God to give them a king just like the other nations around them.
God warned them that human kings would let them down. It was as though God was predicting that ‘Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’
However, God also knew that He had a plan for humanity in which a righteous king would come and establish peace on Earth; not just among the 12 tribes of Israel, but the entire world.
This was not a political appointment, but God Himself would establish Jesus as the rightful ruler of the world.
As it happened, Israel’s first king, Saul, started well but messed up and was replaced.
Even the greatest of Israel’s kings, David, did horrendous things. He committed adultery with another man’s wife (Bathsheba) and then had him killed so that he could take her as his wife.
But the wonderful news is that despite the failings of our kings, politicians and even ourselves, forgiveness and restoration are available to those who truly repent and intend to lead a new life.
That’s not to excuse bad behaviour, but where there is a genuine desire to put things right, God is ready to listen.
David famously wrote Psalm 51 in which his soul cries out in agony about his transgressions.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
David’s U-turn from his selfishness and greed saw him become Israel’s greatest king and, as the Bible records, ‘A man after God’s own heart.’
What changed? David asked God for forgiveness and sought to change his ways. That is a prayer that God is always ready to answer.
As David noted, it was the work of God’s Holy Spirit that made this change possible. We can try all we like to be ‘good’, but we will still fall short of God’s perfection.
The perfect king eventually came when Jesus, God in flesh, came to Earth to demonstrate God’s love for humanity and to give His life as a ransom for many.
This king came to serve and not to be served.
Have you asked King Jesus to accept you into His family yet?
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During this season of Lent, perhaps we need to rethink who we will follow.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he wasn’t riding a mighty steed nor was he commanding an army. He rode in on a donkey to the joyful shouts of ‘Hosana! Hosana!’
This king came in humility to serve His people by rescuing them from the curse of sin and death.
He sought nothing for himself, only the restoration of God’s Kingdom in which all people can dwell in peace and harmony.
Have you asked King Jesus to accept you into His family yet?
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