Let the Church Bow Down: Encounter Christ as KingSample

WHERE IS HE KING

Jesus is King.

But where is He King? The writer of Revelation has a lot to say to us about Jesus’ kingship, and he shows us the three dimensions of His reign: heaven, earth, and the Church.

Jesus reigns from heaven --- Even now, Jesus Christ is exalted in heaven and enthroned with God the Father. Angels worship Him, and heavenly elders adore Him. And He reigns from heaven not as a force or concept but as the Word-made-flesh human being who lived on earth, suffered, died and rose victoriously from the dead. We look to Him as He reigns from heaven, and we see the triumph of His love.

Jesus reigns over the earth --- All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus (Matthew 28:18). This means that all human governments, social systems, and even nature itself are ultimately accountable to Jesus Christ. We can pray to the Father for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as in heaven (Matthew 6:10) precisely because Jesus is Lord and King on earth as in heaven. What would it look like for us to pray from a conviction that the earth truly belongs to Christ the King? We look to Him as He reigns over the earth, and we see the possibilities of His authority.

Jesus reigns in the Church --- While heaven and earth are the domain of Jesus’ kingship, the Church is the nexus point of His dominion. Just as John saw on Patmos, so we see it: Jesus stands in the very center of His Church (represented by lamp stands in Revelation). Jesus reveals Himself to His Church, He corrects and warns His Church, and He comforts and encourages His Church. We are His Church! And though the world cannot yet see the fullness of His reign, we recognize that this reign is already being manifested in us. We look to Jesus as He reigns in the Church, and we see the advancement of His kingdom.

Let us look to King Jesus today and perceive the wondrous truth that He reigns from heaven, over the earth, and in the Church.

Pray with me: Father, thank You that the universe has a King and His name is Jesus. Open my eyes and help me to see and encounter Christ today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.