Jesus Deserves Our Praises

But we have more reason to praise Him, and that is for His office.

II. For his office as king

We can understand praising someone because of his person - because he’s a good guy - humble, talented, etc. But we also are to praise him for the simple fact that He holds an office that demands respect - as King. That’s difficult to grasp - to praise someone just because of his office. Take for instance the President. When Presidents Clinton and Nixon lied to our faces, it was hard to show them much respect. We say, “why should I show respect to someone who lies to me? How can I?” When President Bush didn’t win the popular vote, some may think, “how can I respect someone who didn’t win the majority of the votes?” Yet the concept that God says is “respect them because of the OFFICE they have been given.” David RESPECTED Saul even though he had no reason to - simply because of his office. That’s what God tells children to do with their parents. That’s what God tells members to do with their Pastor. This becomes difficult when the Pastor doesn’t have the personality that you like or the President doesn’t have the morality that God requires. But when your parents or pastors or leaders are worthy of praise - it becomes much easier.

Kings are worthy of praise. Before I mentioned the praise of rock stars. Of all rock stars, there is only one known as the “king.” And as far as all rock stars go, he seems to have had a humility that is practically non-existent among such folk. Despite his faults and weaknesses, there are still thousands of people who like to imitate him and talk about him. He certainly brought something special to his hearers, some great temporal comfort through his music. Yet, I think he recognized who the real King was.

There’s a “previously unreleased” recording of an informal performance. I’m not sure who was present: seems like it was a warm up in front of studio executives, who aren’t known to be appreciative of anything smacking of piety. And most musicians aren’t known as “good church going Christian folk.” Most would be uncomfortable, to say the least, during a worship service. But anyhow, Elvis starts warming up. He sings a line or two of various songs. He starts, but doesn’t finish “Santa Claus is coming to town.” But then, for some reason known only to God, he breaks into “Our Father, who art in heaven.” During it, there are a few comments, chuckles on the tape, sound check statements, like “how’s that” for volume, and the like. But unlike the other things he warmed up with, once he starts singing the Lord’s prayer, he’s got to finish it. All the way to the amen, and beyond. The feeling that he puts into it—I listened to the whole CD, and can’t find one song that has near the expression that he put into the Lord’s prayer. I won’t know for sure until I myself reach heaven, but based on that little thing, it seems to me that Elvis, the king, deep down knew who the real King was. It’s interesting that even the king of rock recognized his King - and praised him. And so he wasn’t afraid to praise Him - even through the snickers.