Daily Devotionals

Best of 2024: Wednesday

 

On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Revelation 19:16

We like to talk about Jesus as a Savior and a Messiah who rescues us from sin. It is easy to talk about His love and forgiveness. What many people do not talk about as often is that He is not only a Savior. He is not only the Messiah. He is the eternal King of kings. As the eternal King of Kings, He demands our complete loyalty, obedience, and love.

Although Jesus is the King of kings, many people during His time expected Him to be a different type of king. They wanted an earthly king, but He was an eternal King, far greater than any earthly king. In Luke 19, crowds of people worshiped Him as He made His way on a donkey to Jerusalem, where He would ultimately be arrested and killed on the cross. These crowds were worshiping Him because of the miracles they had seen Him perform. As they worshiped Him, they called Him "King," but He was not the kind of King they thought He was. They were looking for Him to be an earthly king who would save them from Roman rule. They did not realize that He was the King of kings. Ultimately, this crowd would reject Him. Not many days later, they would see Him being tried and facing a criminal's death on a cross and shout, "Crucify Him!" (Luke 23:21). Ultimately, they would reject Him as their King.

Jesus came as a servant who would lay down His life to rescue humanity from sin. We read in Revelation that one day, Jesus is going to return. This time, however, He is going to return as the King. In fact, on His robe will say the title, "King of all kings and Lord of all lords” (verse 16). Make no mistake, my friends, Jesus is the King and Lord over all. The question is, how do we respond to Him, the King of kings and Lord of lords? One way to respond is obedience. After all, as King, He demands our obedience. When the King gives a command, we obey because He is King. Even more, unlike earthly kings, He loves us deeply. Because of His great love, we can trust Him and His plans for us. 

It's true: Jesus is the King of kings. In fact, He is your King. The question is, do you see Him as your King? Will you follow Him, obey Him, and trust Him? He is good and worthy of all praise, honor, and obedience.

 

Moving Toward Action

Because Jesus is the King of Kings, He deserves every bit of our love and worship. Turn on your favorite worship song and sing loudly. Worship Christ for who He is and all that He has done. Praise Him for being the “King of all kings and Lord of all lords.”

 

Going Deeper

Revelation 19:11-21

 

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. 18 Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.”

19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.