Who Is The King

A King Is Born And It Isn’t You

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As the festive lights twinkle and carols fill the air, we all love to get caught up in the joy and warmth of the Christmas season. But amidst the celebration, there's a profound message that often gets overlooked – one that challenges us to examine our hearts and our relationship with the true King.

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The story of the Magi, as told by Matthew, offers a powerful contrast that speaks volumes about our approach to faith. On one side, we have these wise men from the East – pagan kings from another religion who traveled great distances, following a star to pay homage to a child they believed to be the King of the Jews. On the other, we have King Herod, the ruler of Judea, who should have been eagerly anticipating the Messiah but instead felt threatened by His arrival.

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This juxtaposition invites us to reflect on our own hearts. Are we more like the Magi, willing to journey through metaphorical deserts, leaving behind our comfort zones to bow before the King? Or do we resemble Herod, outwardly acknowledging Christ but inwardly resisting His authority over our lives?

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The Magi's journey wasn't a simple trek. Picture a grand entourage – not just three individuals, but a caravan of perhaps 30 or 40 camels, laden with treasures and supplies, accompanied by guards and attendants. This was no small undertaking. They invested time, resources, and risked their safety to seek out and honor a king they barely understood.

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Upon finding Jesus, their response was immediate. They bowed down, worshipped, and presented their treasures. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh – gifts fit for a king, offered without hesitation. Their actions speak of complete surrender and recognition of authority.

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Contrast this with Herod's reaction. He was "disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him." Despite consulting the scriptures and confirming the prophecy about the Messiah's birthplace, Herod's heart was filled with fear and a desire to maintain control. His disturbing response – ordering the murder of innocent children – reveals the depths to which a heart resistant to God's authority can sink.

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This stark comparison challenges us to examine our own approach to faith. In our modern Christian walk, do we truly surrender to Christ's kingship, or do we merely pay lip service while clinging to control of our lives?

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Too often, Christianity is presented as a path to personal blessing and fulfillment. We're told that God has a wonderful plan for our lives, that He wants to grant our wishes and make everything go well for us. While God does indeed bless His children, this perspective misses the core of what it means to follow Christ.

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The truth is, Jesus came as a King – and a king, by definition, displaces all other authorities. When we truly embrace Christ, we're not gaining a celestial genie to grant our wishes; we're submitting to a sovereign ruler who has the right to direct our lives.

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This is where many of us struggle. We're comfortable singing about His birth and celebrating His love, but when it comes to surrendering control of our lives – our ambitions, our relationships, our finances – we often become like Herod, secretly disturbed and resistant.

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Real Christianity isn't about what we can get from God; it's about what we can lay at His feet. It's about choosing to serve Him rather than ourselves, even when it's difficult or goes against our natural inclinations.

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The Bible repeatedly calls us to make a choice. Joshua famously declared, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." But making that choice means actively removing things from our lives that aren't aligned with God's will. It means being willing to give up control, to pour out our "gold, frankincense, and myrrh" – whatever is precious to us – at the feet of Jesus.

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This surrender isn't easy. It goes against our human nature and the messages we often hear in our culture. But it's the path to true freedom and fulfillment. When we allow Christ to reign in our lives, things do change for the better – not because we've manipulated God into blessing us, but because we've aligned ourselves with the benevolent rule of the King of Kings.

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As we celebrate Christmas this year, let's challenge ourselves to go beyond the surface-level festivities. Let's examine our hearts and ask:

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- Are we truly allowing Jesus to be the King of our lives?

- What areas are we still trying to control, refusing to surrender to His authority?

- Are we more concerned with what we can get from God, or what we can offer Him?

- How can we, like the Magi, demonstrate our willingness to bow before Christ and offer our best to Him?

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The journey of faith isn't always comfortable. It may require us to take difficult paths, to give up things we hold dear, to change long-held attitudes and behaviors. But like the Magi who took a different route home after encountering Jesus, our paths should look different after we truly meet the King.

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This Christmas, let's not be content with a sanitized, comfortable version of faith. Instead, let's embrace the challenge of true discipleship. Let's be willing to lay down our crowns, surrender our control, and truly make Christ the King of our lives.

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As we do, we may find that the true joy of Christmas isn't in the gifts we receive, but in the profound peace and purpose that come from fully submitting to the rule of the One who left His heavenly throne to be born in a humble manger. This is the real "glad tidings" – not that we gain a cosmic servant, but that we have the opportunity to serve the greatest King of all.

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Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide:

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Day 1: Surrendering to the True King

Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

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Devotional: The story of the Magi reminds us that true worship involves surrender and sacrifice. These pagan kings traveled great distances, bringing valuable gifts to honor Jesus. Their actions challenge us to examine our own hearts. Are we willing to go out of our way to seek Jesus? Are we ready to lay our treasures - our time, talents, and resources - at His feet? Today, reflect on areas of your life where you might be holding back from full surrender to Christ. Ask God to help you release control and truly acknowledge Him as King over every aspect of your life.

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Day 2: Recognizing Jesus as a Threat to Our Self-Rule

Reading: Luke 19:41-44

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Devotional: Just as Herod saw Jesus as a threat to his reign, we often resist surrendering full control of our lives to God. We may outwardly profess Christ as Lord, but inwardly struggle to let go of our own desires and plans. Today's passage shows Jesus weeping over Jerusalem because they failed to recognize Him. Ask yourself: Are there areas in my life where I'm resisting Christ's authority? Am I truly allowing Him to be Lord, or am I still trying to maintain control? Pray for the courage to fully embrace Jesus' kingship, even when it challenges your comfort or plans.

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Day 3: Choosing God's Plan Over Our Own

Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6, Jeremiah 29:11-13

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Devotional: The world often tells us to pursue our own dreams and make our own way. However, God calls us to trust in His plan for our lives. This requires faith and often means stepping into the unknown. Reflect on times when you've tried to force your own plans instead of seeking God's guidance. How did that work out? Now consider moments when you've trusted God despite uncertainty. How did God prove faithful? Today, commit to seeking God's will above your own desires, trusting that His plans for you are good.

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Day 4: The Cost of Discipleship

Reading: Luke 9:23-26

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Devotional: Following Jesus isn't always easy or comfortable. As we heard in the sermon, real Christianity isn't about what we can get from God, but what we can lay at His feet. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves daily and take up our cross. This means being willing to sacrifice our own desires, comforts, and even rights for the sake of following Him. Today, prayerfully consider: What is Jesus asking you to "lay down" in order to follow Him more fully? It might be a habit, an attitude, or a relationship. Ask for the strength to embrace the cost of true discipleship.

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Day 5: Living as Citizens of God's Kingdom

Reading: Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:1-4

Devotional: As followers of Christ, our primary citizenship is in heaven. This should radically change how we live our lives on earth. We're called to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. This doesn't mean we ignore our earthly responsibilities, but rather that we approach them with an eternal perspective. Today, examine your priorities and daily choices. Do they reflect your heavenly citizenship? Ask God to help you live in a way that demonstrates your allegiance to His kingdom above all else. Consider one practical way you can align your life more closely with God's values and priorities today.

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