Whether we admit it or not, and whether we like it or not, we are made to gravitate toward strong leadership figures. Our respect for our nation’s great presidents is evidence of this.
When we remember men like Washington and Lincoln, we revere them because they exhibited strong leadership and character at pivotal times in our nation’s history. In 2016 President Trump was elected because many Americans were looking for strong leadership and character in our day.
President Trump ran into a buzz saw of opposition. I believe those on the radical left aren’t opposing strength. They want their own strong man or woman who reflects their beliefs.
This yearning for a strong leader is an indicator that the AntiChrist will be well received during the Tribulation because many will see him as the right man for the hour.
But here’s a question for you for our time. Isn’t rugged individualism part of America’s exceptionalism? Over 240 years ago America declared its independence from England. No more kings and queens for us, right?
But reflect on what happens when a member of British royalty dies or gets married or has a baby. The magnetic pull is unbelievable. The media goes nuts. You’d think England’s royalty was our royalty.
I personally find it disgusting. It’s nothing more than silly celebrity worship. There’s no love lost between me and British royalty.
But I confess, I also long for the rulership of a king. I want no king but Jesus. And I hope that’s your heart’s desire as well.
Years ago I listened to an excellent series of radio plays by the BBC which dramatized J. R. R. Tokien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. I haven’t read the books, and I didn’t see the movies. The stories are imaginative but complicated, and their allegorization escapes me. I’m not here to recommend them, but I want to make one simple point.
The impression from Tolkien’s stories that stuck with me most was that the good guys had a sense of loyalty and duty to their king. We as believers would do well to cultivate a deeper loyalty to our king Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ disciples thought Jesus came to Earth to bring in the kingdom of God. In Luke 19:11-27 He gave them a parable to tell them that wasn’t going to happen any time soon, and He gave them guidance on what to do until God does set up His kingdom.
In Luke 19 Jesus told of a nobleman who went to a far country to claim a kingdom for himself. The disciples would have understood this because Herod the Great had to go to Rome to receive the assignment of his kingdom.
The nobleman distributed money among his 10 servants and told them to occupy themselves with his business until he returned.
If you remember the story you know some servants were better stewards and received rewards. One hid the money and it was taken from him. No reward for him.
This nobleman not only had problems with a selfish, fearful servant, but many of his citizens hated him. Luke 19:26-27 tells us how he remedied both problems. The outcome for the foolish steward and for the king’s enemies was not pleasant.
26. For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
That sounds cruel, but Jesus pictured a powerful ruler who would have his way. All his subjects had to do is simply obey.
As we apply this to ourselves, our king Jesus is away getting things ready to set up His kingdom. In John 19:36 Jesus told Pilate His kingdom was not of this world. It won’t come about through this world’s systems. Jesus will bring it about in His own way and time.
The Apostle Paul had the right perspective on what to do and how to live while waiting for Christ’s return. In Philippians 3:14 he shows us his desire to be worthy of his king’s calling.
14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
If we are to occupy ourselves with the king’s business until He establishes His kingdom, we must learn more of Him. We must conduct ourselves uprightly. We must set our allegiances and affections on the things of heaven and not on the things of this world. We must abide in Christ. We must walk in the Spirit.
Philippians 3:20-21 give us this reminder.
20. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
For us as believers our citizenship is in heaven. Our lives should reflect that. Our king Jesus will one day come from heaven for us. He will finish the job of making us in His image. Furthermore, Christ will one day take charge of all things for Himself.
Until then we must follow the admonition the nobleman in Luke 19 gave to his servants. “Occupy till I come.”
Our lives must show that we are loyal first and foremost to Christ our king. We must use what He has given us for His glory. Christ is the strong man we should follow.
But let’s not forget His love is strong as well. It’s that love that caused Him to humble Himself to the point of dying at Calvary and rising from the dead so He could claim us and redeem us as His own.
No earthly king or president has ever done that or will ever do that. May our lives proclaim that we have no king but Christ.