Royal Robes Don’t Make A King

Humans have the propensity to judge by outward appearances. We clearly see that in Israel’s rejection of the LORD and their demand for an earthly king. God then directed the prophet Samuel to go to the family of Jesse and select God’s choice for a king.

Samuel saw the first son and thought certainly this is God’s anointed King. But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart,” because outward appearances deceive (I Samuel 16:7).

Samuel looked at seven sons and rejected each one. He then asked if Jesse had more sons. David was fetched from the fields and the Lord said, “Go ahead—anoint him. He is the one.” Samuel anointed the young boy, and the Lord’s Spirit came over him and remained with him (I Samuel 16:8-12).

Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the Prophet Isaiah told of the birth of Christ, a King, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, who would come into the world. However, the Jews perceived that their king would arrive as a great military leader, and not under the dark of night, born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and tucked inside a lowly trough where animals ate. Only the angels, a few shepherds, and the Three Wise Men would herald His arrival.

Jesus grew and thrived, living a humble and uneventful life among His people for His first thirty years. Although His earthy parents raised Him, He “grew up before [God the Father] like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.

* He  had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him

* Nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him. 

* He was despised and rejected by mankind,

* A man of suffering and familiar with pain.

* Like one from whom people hid their faces,

* He was despised

* And we held Him in low esteem” (Isaiah 53:1-3).  Although He was in the world that was made through Him, the world did not know Him. He came to His own (the Jews), and His own people did not receive Him (John 1:10-11).

After Jesus’ baptism and temptation in the desert, He returned to His hometown of Nazareth, and went into the synagogue to read from the scroll: “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Jesus as He said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” They responded, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” The people in the synagogue became enraged and tried to throw Him off a cliff (Luke 4:14-30 NIV).

Jesus lived when the Roman Empire ruled. There were major tensions among Jews regarding Roman policies and the high priests. They were hoping for a messianic redeemer, a great military leader, and man of power, who would restore Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel. They did not recognize Jesus as their long-awaited Redeemer, because they could not see past the simple, ordinary carpenter and son of Joseph.

The Jews viewed Jesus as just a prophet, teacher, and a wannabe king. He did not wear royal robes or a crown upon His head. His crown would be a crown of thorns driven into His skull and a purple robe draped over His shoulders to mock His Kingship. His death and resurrection would forever defeat Satan, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus’ shed blood would give us life, abundantly (John 10:10).

Jesus left us a warning that in the last days, deceivers will come in His name to lead many astray. We will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Nation (people) will rise against nation and kingdom (countries and states) against kingdom. (We see civil unrest across the world.) There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Believers will be persecuted and hated by all nations (people) for His name’s sake. Many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. False prophets will lead many astray. Lawlessness will increase and love will grow cold. (Hate and vitriol have escalated to unprecedented levels.) Therefore, we are cautioned to stay awake, for we do not know the day our Lord is coming (Matthew 24:4-42 ESV).

The Apostle Paul prophesied that in the last days, a “man of sin,” a liar and deceiver will come on the scene, whom Satan will enhance his natural abilities with supernatural power to confuse and ensnare people (2 Thessalonians 2). People will see him as the savior of the world and a great religious leader. He will appear as a lamb but will speak like a dragon. He will imitate Jesus Christ, but he will be empowered by Satan (Revelation 13:11).

There is an old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” We might wonder how the Jews could hear Jesus’ teachings and witness His miracles and not recognize Him as their Redeemer, the Promised One. But how many people today are deceived by a secular philosophy and lifestyle and reject God’s Word? We are witnessing an escalating hostility and hatred towards Christians and Jews. The Bill of Rights, which was written to afford liberty to all, is continually being adulterated to take away rights and protections from Christians.

People are looking for a new “savior” who will bring change, unification, and world peace. Unfortunately, they are not looking to The Prince of Peace and true Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

Jesus warned, “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36 NIV). Therefore, stay awake (spiritually), for you do not know what day our Lord is coming (Matthew 24:42).

So, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, we must remember that He defeated the Prince of Darkness, and He will return as a conquering King, wearing a royal robe, and on His thigh there is a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:11).

PRAYER: FATHER, I thank you for Your Son, who came to earth as a servant and suffered an undeserved death in my place. Give me discernment for these days. Help me to pray, to stay spiritually awake, to daily seek Your Word, to place You first above all else, and to live a consecrated life in You, so that I will not miss the Lord’s coming. In Jesus name, amen.