Is Jesus our King?

After Jesus went the path of humiliation “unto death, even the death of the cross,” GOD raised Him from the dead after three days and made Him Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). Since then, He has been exalted at God’s right hand, where He remains today, waiting until He will truly appear as king and subject His enemies to Himself (Heb. 10:13).

David and the Son of David

The current period in which Christ dwells at God’s right hand, awaiting the revelation of His Kingdom, is illustrated in the story of David. Once, David was anointed as a shepherd boy (Heb. mashiach, Gr. christos), but it would take years before he actually became king in Jerusalem.

It is no different with “the Son of David.” Certainly, de jure all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him (Matt. 28:18). But the exercise (de facto) of this authority awaits His parousia. It is “the world to come” that will be truly subjected to Him (Heb. 2:5).

Head and Body

God’s work in our days is the gathering of a people who share Christ’s position at God’s right hand (Col. 3:1–4). This ‘called-out assembly’ forms a unity with Him, as Head and Body are one (1 Cor. 12:13). It is the standard term Paul uses for the ekklesia in our days. As Head, Christ Jesus is incomplete without this ekklesia (Eph. 1:22–23). Together with the Head, Christ Jesus, this (governing) Body will share in His rule over heaven and earth (Eph. 1:10–11). It shares, as “fellow-heirs,” in the promises previously made to Christ (Eph. 3:6). Together with the Head, it stands at the top of the hierarchy of the universe. That is the dizzying height to which it has been destined by God!

not our king

Whoever takes the above to heart understands why Paul always refers to Jesus in his letters as “our Lord” and also as “the Head.” He never refers to Him as our King. The theological phrase “King of the Church” may be widespread, but it is nonetheless misplaced. Firstly, because Jesus Christ will only appear as king in the future. And secondly, because He stands in a completely different relation to the current ekklesia. Individually, He is “our Lord,” and for us collectively (“the ekklesia which is His body”), He is the Head.

King and Bridegroom

This Head-body relationship is a completely different kind of relation than the one the nations will have with Him in the future. For them, He will be “the great King” (Matt. 5:35). As He will also be for the people of Israel. Though with that people, He has a totally unique relationship, namely as Bridegroom. Israel is the bride (John 3:29; Hos. 2:18) with whom the new (marriage) covenant will soon be made. The nations, by contrast, are invited as guests to celebrate the wedding feast—that is, the Millennium (Rev. 19:9).

distinct relationships

Just as we must distinguish successive times, it is also important to distinguish various relations and roles. I stand in a different relation to my wife than to my children. And that again differs from the relationship I have with my friends. Or how I relate to my colleagues. Which in turn is different from my relationship with my neighbors. And so on. In every relationship, I am known and addressed differently. My colleagues don’t call me neighbor, and my wife doesn’t address me as father.

richly varied

It is not appropriate in the current ekklesia to address Jesus Christ as King. Or as (our) Bridegroom. He is both, yes indeed—but not in the relationship in which we stand to Him. The biblical panorama is broad and richly varied. All of creation and every creature stands in relation to Jesus Christ. Every knee will eventually bow before Him, and every tongue will confess Him to the glory of GOD the Father (Phil. 2:9–11). That is a universal agreement. There is also a colorful variation in relationships to Him. But no relationship to Him is as intimate as the people that are being added to Him today. Because “the ekklesia is His body”!

Delen: