The King's Son
Easter or Resurrection Sunday. That is what we are here to celebrate today. However, I think it is essential that before we talk about what took place on this Sunday we need to back up to the Tuesday before and listen to an exchange that Jesus has in Temple. He walks into the place of worship and tells several stories to the religious leaders there. Here is one of the stories He tells. This story will lead to an important question that must be answered by the religious leaders of that day. Their answer informs us.
Luke 20:9-16 (NIV)
?He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”
Jesus, on the Tuesday before His death on the cross, is telling the folks in the Temple what was about to happen to Him. He states that a vineyard owner would try to reach the people who rented his farm to receive payment. These people would mistreat and beat up each of the representatives the owner sent until finally he decides to send his son. The landlord believes and is certain that the tenants would respect and treat his son differently. But shockingly, he discovers that instead of just mistreating the son they reject him and kill him. Jesus then asks an interesting question that has implications for us on this Easter Sunday. He asks, “What will the owner do when this happens?” The people in the Temple know how the owner in the story will respond. They reply, “The owner will come and kill the tenants”.
This story that Jesus told is about Him but, it is also about us. How is it about us? Isn't it true that so often, too often, we act like these tenants. We think we can run our business better than the King. We think we can be more fruitful and successful if we do life on our own. Our own plans, our own life, our own way. And just like the tenants we mistreat The representative of all representatives. The King, trying to get through to us sends a chip off the old block. One in His likeness, authority, and power. The King sends His son. And like the tenants in the story, we not only mistreat the Son, we also reject Him. Is this what you have done with Jesus? Have you thrown Him out? Dismissed Him? Ignored Him? Rejected Him?
We may not have been present on Good Friday, but I submit to you that when we reject Him, we are sending Him to His death. And so, the same question must be asked again. What should the King’s response be?
The religious leaders knew the proper response from the landowner when his son was rejected. Shouldn't the correct answer they gave be the same and the just response from the King when we reject His Son? He should punish us. Capital punishment. That would be right. The King's son mishandled. Rejected. Crucified. Dead. We should bear the consequences of that. We should be held accountable for that and no grace should be offered. But here is the plot twist. Instead of punishing us The King's Son takes our punishment. It is the surprise ending which we call Easter. This is why the Easter story is the most important moment in history for us.
Luke 24:1-6?On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!
On Friday The King's Son takes our punishment. That is what made and continues to make Friday good for us. He bridges the gap. He closes the separation. He makes it possible for us to experience grace from The King rather than the wrath of the King. Our blood was required and yet we discover that the blood that the King's Son spilled didn't destroy us it liberated us. The spilled blood brings us the opportunity for life! So, then the question "what should the King do" has been answered. He considered His Son's death payment for our wrong.
Jesus answers the question He asked on Tuesday by what He did on Friday. However, there is another question that is asked on Easter Morning. And this question is one we must answer. The women view the empty tomb and they are asked a question. "Why are you look for the living among the dead?"
After recognizing what The King's Son did on Friday, we too must answer the question on Easter. Why do we continue to look for living among the dead? Isn't that what we do? We look for life in things that only end up in death. We turn to drugs, parties, work, money, people, shopping, material items, hobbies thinking these things will produce life. We quickly, if we are honest, discover that these things only bring temporary "full fillment"! This is why another writer asks, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul!"
On Easter you must answer the question. "Where are you looking for life?" Are you looking for the living among the dead. To find life you must look to life! Remember Jesus knew who He was. He told us this. He said I am THE way, THE truth and THE life! Then He states, "No one comes to the Father except through Me." He states the only way to get to the King is through the King's Son! Real life and getting back into the good graces of the Father is only gained by entering through the King's Son.
In other words, it is only when get under Jesus that we are covered by Jesus. His death and resurrection make it possible to be covered, but we have to choose to allow Him to cover us. It is when we get under His authority. Under His sacrifice. Under His blood that we find life. It is when we submit and surrender to the covering secured by Jesus that The King sees His Son in us! The song writer had it right when he exclaimed . . .
There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Emanuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
It is as we plunge beneath Jesus. Hide in Him. The blood He spilled does us no good until we are plunged beneath that flood. His resurrection does us no good until we get under His covering.
I can remember that as a kid I loved to play checkers. I had a simple strategy. Get to the other side of the board as quickly as possible. This was my strategy because I knew that if I could get to the other side the game changed. Until I reached the other side my abilities and movements were limited. But once I reached the other side my opponent would place a second checker piece with a crown on it on top of my piece. When I got under the king I could move freely, powerfully and I could quickly and effectively wipe out the enemy. If you would simply recognize The King's Son for who He really is and for what He has done . . . if you would King Jesus and get under Him, then you will discover that His promises are true. When you quit looking for life among the dead. When you get under, He will help you get over - over sin, over death, over guilt, over shame, over addiction, over brokenness. Over fear. Over anxiety. When we submit to Him as King, we finally win through Him. We move under His authority and under His power.
Prayer - You must answer the question today . . . Why do you look for living among the dead? The King's Son is the King's Son even if you don't recognize Him as such. However, it is when you recognize Him, accept Him that His power comes to bear in your life.
Gave each of you a checker piece. You have the opportunity to King Jesus today. Take this piece and place it somewhere that you will be reminded that you are now you are under the King’s Son. You have kinged Him in your life.
