Making Jesus King

Wise men entered Jerusalem long ago asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2)

To draw out the significance of the wise men’s question, it would do well to understand a little bit more about who they were.

KING MAKERS

One author notes that the wise men (or “magi” as some translations render it) were believed to have been philosophers and/or priests from a far Oriental land (most likely Persia). (Matthew Henry)

Another source adds that the wise men’s duties in their own country included the election of kings. It goes on to say, with reference to the above verse, that…

“It was, therefore, a group of [Eastern] king makers who entered Jerusalem [at that time].” (Zondervan Pictorial Bible Encyclopedia)

And so the wise men were not only philosophers and priests, but they were literal “king makers,” too. When it came to recognizing nobility, these guys were no amateurs. On the contrary, they were the best in their field.

So when they inquired as to where the new ruler of Israel was to be found, they were fully persuaded of His kingship. I guess you could say that the magi were in Jerusalem that day to, in a sense, cast their vote and mark their ballot. Being “king makers” their purpose for coming was to offer approval to Christ who was to reign over the Jewish nation.

KING JESUS

The truth of the kingship (or rulership) of Christ is mentioned throughout the Old Testament. And surely the wise men were well-acquainted with such passages for it was most certainly through the study of them that they were convinced of Jesus’ ranking.

One such prophecy that they might have pondered may have been the statement in Jeremiah 23 where the prophet says…

“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘When I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.'” (Jeremiah 23:5)

This verse predicted what was to be Christ’s future position as king of the Jews.

Another prophecy the wise men were probably familiar with can be found in Daniel 7. There, in reference to Jesus, it reads…

“‘[T]o Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.'” (Daniel 7:14)

This verse predicted what Was to be Christ’s future position as ruler of the world. (Zechariah 14:9)

So, through their most certain studies of the Old Testament prophecy, the wise men surely came to the realization of Christ’s kingship. The truth is clearly recorded there in black and white.

Jesus was not only to be king of the Jewish nation, but He was to be king of the world as well. Therefore the wise men, by their mere appearance in Jerusalem as “king makers from the East,” were communicating that they recognized Jesus as their king, too.

Are you as fully convinced of Christ’s kingship as they were?

A person who is will show it in the way he or she lives. To recognize Jesus is king in one’s life means that an individual is willing to submit to His authority. Submission to Christ is as simple as just doing what He says. (Matthew 7:24-27)

Are you showing your belief in King Jesus by obeying His commands? (1 John 2:3-4)

(Wise Men Adore Christ picture above is in the public domain: click here. PD-US)