The Return of the King, directed by Peter Jackson, won eleven Academy Awards including Picture of the Year for 2003. Besides being the powerful conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy filmed in beautiful New Zealand, I can’t help but think that part of the movie’s popularity involves something that resonates deep in the hearts of human beings regarding the true King.
Tolkien fans know Aragorn is the lonely Ranger called Strider who befriended four hobbits early in their journey. No one would have suspected that he was the one destined to be king of Middle-earth. Always content to be in the background, when danger appeared Aragorn was quick to respond with courage and an uncanny ability to defeat any foe.
So it is with the true King who has saved us and called us for His glory. Born in a stable, raised in the poor village of Nazareth, content to live in obscurity as the son of a carpenter, Jesus was identified as the Christ by His Father after being baptized in the Jordan River. In meekness and power, the King “went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38)
With His Father’s authority, Jesus lived and proclaimed a Kingdom that is vastly different from the kingdoms men build. Most of the religious did not recognize the King… who was also their God. They opposed Him because His words and ways did not match their own. They hated the One who came to save them. Notice Jesus’ anger and sorrow in Mark’s story:
“Now He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a paralyzed hand. In order to accuse Him, they were watching Him closely to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath. He told the man with the paralyzed hand, ‘Stand before us,’ then He said to them, ‘Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they were silent. After looking around at them with anger and sorrow at the hardness of their hearts, He told the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.” (Mark 3:1-6 HCSB)
What sets Jesus apart is the love with which He operates. He loved the man with a disability, but He also loved the ones who plotted to kill Him. He proved this love by dying for us all. The King of kings abdicated His rights and chose not “to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
The King now calls us to walk this noble path. We might say, “But I don’t have the faith or the love to live like Jesus!” This is true… without God; but “with God all things are possible.” We all have a measure of faith, and the Lord asks us to use the faith we have… to give, to pray, to heal, and to be His witnesses. We all know the love of God, and so Jesus asks us to share this love He has given us with everyone we encounter. Remember that “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Rom 5:5) Let’s love fearlessly!
As we remind one another of our King’s return and as we proclaim the Gospel to the world, may we walk with His kindness, His purpose, and His joy. Happy New Year!
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” I Peter 2:21