Praying the Names of God for 5 DaysSample

KING OF KINGS - BASILEUS BASILEON

The world has never seen a king like Christ, a ruler mightier than any earthly sovereign and more powerful than the unseen powers of the universe. Though he entered the world humbly, as an infant born in Bethlehem, Magi from the east still recognized him as the newborn king. Though his reign unfolds in hidden ways, he has promised to come again, at which time he will reveal himself unambiguously as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” When you pray to Jesus, the King of Kings, call to mind his mastery not only over human beings but also over nature, disease, and death itself.

God Reveals His Name in Scripture: Matthew 21:1-9, Revelation 19:11-16

Open your personal Bible translation and read the same passage. Make a note where you read “King of Kings.”

When they came near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead of him. He said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you. You will find a donkey tied there and a colt with it. Untie them, and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them. That person will send them at once.”

This happened so that what the prophet had said came true:

“Tell the people of Zion,
‘Your king is coming to you.
He’s gentle,
riding on a donkey,
on a colt, a young pack animal.’”

The disciples did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put their coats on them for Jesus to sit on. Most of the people spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowd that went ahead of him and that followed him was shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

I saw heaven standing open. There was a white horse, and its rider is named Faithful and True. With integrity he judges and wages war. His eyes are flames of fire. On his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him, but only he knows what it is. He wears clothes dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

The armies of heaven, wearing pure, white linen, follow him on white horses. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth to defeat the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter and tread the winepress of the fierce anger of God Almighty. On his clothes and his thigh he has a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Understanding the Name

The Jewish people at the time of Christ longed for a coming king who would be descended from their great king, David. By hailing Jesus as the “Son of David,” the large crowd who greeted him as he entered Jerusalem was using a popular title for the Messiah. They expected their messianic king to restore Israel’s freedom and former glory. In the passage from Matthew’s gospel, Jesus fulfills the messianic prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, an animal that symbolized both peace and humility.

Today, Christ’s kingdom unfolds in hidden ways as believers acknowledge him as King and Lord. But one day, when Christ comes again, his kingdom will be revealed as the greatest of all kingdoms. The passage from Revelation 19 presents Jesus riding not on a lowly donkey but on a magnificent white horse, as befits the greatest of all kings. Throughout the New Testament Jesus is variously referred to as “King,” “King of the ages,” “King of the Jews,” “King of Israel,” and “King of Kings”—this last one translated from the Greek phrase Basileus Basileon (bas-si-LEUS ba-si-LE-own). Even today some Christian churches are called “basilicas,” a phrase meaning “the hall of the king.”

Connecting to the Name

1. Why do you think Scripture presents the reign of Jesus in two such different ways, as in the above passages?
2. Write a list of qualities that describe the perfect king. Now compare and contrast these with the lives of some of today’s rulers.
3. What do you think it means to have Jesus as your king? How have you experienced his reign in your life thus far?
4. How can we “seek first the kingdom of God” in the midst of our lives today (see Matthew 6:33)?
5. What would life on earth look like today if Jesus’ reign was perfectly established?
6. How would your own life look if Jesus’ reign was perfectly established in you?

Praying a Passage with God’s Name

Focus on the name Basileus Basileon, “King of Kings,” as you read Matthew 27:27-37. Reflect on how deep God’s character reaches.

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the palace and gathered the whole troop around him. 28 They took off his clothes and put a bright red cape on him. 29 They twisted some thorns into a crown, placed it on his head, and put a stick in his right hand. They knelt in front of him and made fun of him by saying, “Long live the king of the Jews!” 30 After they had spit on him, they took the stick and kept hitting him on the head with it.

31 After the soldiers finished making fun of Jesus , they took off the cape and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

32 On the way they found a man named Simon. He was from the city of Cyrene. The soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.

33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 They gave him a drink of wine mixed with a drug called gall. When he tasted it, he refused to drink it. 35 After they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat there and kept watch over him. 37 They placed a written accusation above his head. It read, “This is Jesus , the king of the Jews.”

Praying the Name King of Kings for Myself

Jesus was willing to be misunderstood for our salvation and rejected throughout history. In what ways do you think your generation has rejected Basileus Basileon? Have you rejected Jesus in any of these ways? Humble yourself and ask Jesus for the ability to see him and embrace him as he is, and not as you would have him be.

You’ve heard the phrase, “born again,” but what does it really mean? Ask Basileus Basileon to bring you in to his kingdom. Write any questions you have for Jesus about his kingdom.

Promises from the King of Kings

28 “And why worry about clothes? Notice how the flowers grow in the field. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. 29 But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers. 30 That’s the way God clothes the grass in the field. Today it’s alive, and tomorrow it’s thrown into an incinerator. So how much more will he clothe you people who have so little faith?

31 “Don’t ever worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 32 Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them. 33 But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:28-33

9 Don’t you know that wicked people won’t inherit the kingdom of God? Stop deceiving yourselves! People who continue to commit sexual sins, who worship false gods, those who commit adultery, homosexuals, 10 or thieves, those who are greedy or drunk, who use abusive language, or who rob people will not inherit the kingdom of God. 11 That’s what some of you were! But you have been washed and made holy, and you have received God’s approval in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11