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THE PROMISE FULFILLED
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land” (Jer.23:5).
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).
What was the significance of the promise of the righteous Branch?
• The promise was given during days of INJUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS.
• The promise foretold that the Messiah would be a descendent of DAVID.
“Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16).
• The promise was given to provide HOPE.
JESUS IS THE KING
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be one his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever (Isa. 9:6-7).
Behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matt. 2:1-2).
[Pilate] asked [Jesus], “Are you the King of the Jews?” (Matt. 27:11).
And twisting together a crown of thorns, [the soldiers] put it on [Jesus’] head…. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matt. 27:29-30).
And over [Jesus’] head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Matt. 27:37).
He is Lord of lords and King of kings (Rev. 17:14).
One of mankind’s greatest desires is to experience peace on earth. President John F. Kennedy declared, “...peace does not rest in the charters and covenants alone. It lies in the hearts and minds of all people. So let us not rest all our hopes on parchment and on paper, let us strive to build peace, a desire for peace, a willingness to work for peace in the hearts and minds of all our people. I believe we can. I believe the problems of human destiny are not beyond the reach of human beings.” Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. He died without seeing the goal of world peace accomplished.
Guitarist Jimi Hendrix said, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will finally know peace.” Hendrix overdosed on sleeping pills and died on Sept. 18, 1970. He died without the world finding peace through love.
Musician John Lennon stated, “If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace.” One of Lennon’s most famous songs says, “Imagine all the people living in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.” Lennon was murdered in New York City on Dec. 8, 1980. He died without experiencing the peace he had imagined would come to earth.
And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.”
Why do we need King Jesus?
• Without King Jesus, our WORLD is a mess.
• Without King Jesus, our LIVES are a mess.
HAS THE KINGDOM COME?
“Thy kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10 KJV).
The kingdom of God HAS COME and IS COMING.
• Jesus IS REIGNING over HIS CHURCH.
• Jesus WILL REIGN over ALL THE EARTH.
Is Jesus your King?
