Weird Ideas: Jesus Christနမူနာ

You’ll find a lot of talk about kings and kingdoms in the Gospels. In fact, it can be said that the message the Gospels are proclaiming is that in Jesus, the kingdom of God has come.

Jesus defines his ministry by God’s kingdom. Look at what he says in Mark 1:15, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Or in Matthew 4:17, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

It can be argued that the kingdom of God is the defining narrative of the Bible. And Jesus is the king of that kingdom.

Christ means king, and Jesus is the long-awaited king once promised by God to King David to come from his line to fulfill God’s promises and deliver God’s people.

There’s a classic Advent hymn little sung on the popular horizon, entitled “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus,” whose lyrics so wonderfully capture this.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

“I believe in Jesus Christ…” That’s what it means.