With Christmas just around the corner our thoughts turn naturally to the birth of Jesus. Most people think of Jesus as a teacher and a healer, and of course they would be right. The Bible also tells us that God promised King David a son who would reign over Israel for ever. That son was Jesus Christ.
We often forget that Jesus can claim the title "King of the Jews". When Jesus was born, the wise men asked Herod "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" Nobody laughed, for the Jewish priests knew from scriptures that one day a special king would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2,4)
We know in hindsight that the last time Jesus was on earth it was not God's will for Jesus to become King of Israel at that time. The gospel had to be preached to the whole earth first, as it now has been. That does not mean Jesus will not be king over Israel though.
The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns, his claim to the throne of David will not be like the kings we see in our world today - Jesus will have the authority and power to lay claim to the throne.
The Bible gives us a wonderful hope for our world. It will not always be in the sad state - the violence, the corruption and the evil ways of men - that we see today.
The Bible teaches us that we can have that wonderful hope ourselves and that we will have the opportunity to help Christ when he returns, but we need to do something about it now. We need to understand, to believe and be baptised into the saving name of Christ, if we are to live forever with Jesus in the world to come.
This is what the apostle Paul said when he explained what he was looking forward to:
"Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8)
So, think about the birth of Jesus this Christmas, but also consider the reasons why he was born and the joy that the coming King will bring!
