The New Born King

 

The New Born King

This lesson was shared with brethren at the carol service staged by the CACSA (Christ Apostolic Church Student Association)  at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria main campus on Sunday 11th December, 2011.

Let’s read Mattew chapter 1 vs 1-17. You’ll see the geneology of Christ there. Some of the above scripture reads thus:

‘The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Pahares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;................

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ’.

When you reflect on the passage above, you’ll find how Jesus was a natural descendant of Abraham and David. Two great men with special predegree in the scriptures.

Abraham is well known as the father of faith. His faith was so great that God called him his friend. Jesus Christ in his earthly ministry walked with God too by faith. That’s why he could accept the five loaves of bread and two fishes which was used to feed multitudes after thanksgiving and prayer of faith.

What about David? He so much loved God that he is well rated above all kings that ever lived in Israel.  He taught us a lesson in thanksgiving and humility.  Two special characters standing here as Christ’s forebearers.

Who is a king? A king is a ruler of a kingdom. At the time Christ was born, Herod was ruling the Roman Empire. The new born king was of Jewish descent. The Jews at that time were under the tribute of the Romans. How come another king will come to replace the ‘almighty’ king Herod?

The Proclamation of The New Born King

‘Now when Jeswus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the dayss of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, are come to worship him.’(Matt 2:2)

The herald of his birth posed great threat to Herod who gave an order for the murder of all children of 2 years age bracket with the intention of eliminating the new born King. ‘When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And when he had gathered all people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born....

Then Herod when he had privily called the wise men inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared........

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding worth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men’.(Matt. 2:7,16)

The plan of Herod to eliminate Christ was aborted through divine intervention. Christ was on divine assignment. He has a message to deliver to the world. A messenger must be kept alive to deliver his message.

Are you on a divine mission? This is an assurance that God is with you. He will preserve you to deliver the message He has sent you. You will not die. You will live to declare the glory of God in the land of the living.

Prophetic Declaration About The King

Prophets and great men of God had prophesied about the coming of the new born king. ‘Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,and shall call his name Immanuel.’ (Isiah 7:14)

‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon hsi shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ (Isiah 9:6).

Purpose Of His Birth

Why is the new king born? Let’s find it in Luke chapter 1:76-79 ‘And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace’.

The way of salvation to the whole world was unknown until Christ came. A new way is apparent for the remission of sins. He came to give light and guide men to the way of peace.

Power Of The King

In order to carry out his assignment, he must exercise power to deliver and set free. ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every naem:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earht, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:9-11).

Christ's power covers all creation. Spiritual powers in high places, on earth and beneath the earth all bow at the mention of his name.

Provision By The King

Is there any guarantee that things will get better at the advent of the new born king? Oh yes. Mattew 11:28 is a proof. ‘Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavey laden, and I will give you rest'.

Are you laboring under the yoke of sin? He will reverse your situation and exchange it for peace. Is your life battered and shattered? Accept Christ’s invitation and your waste places will be repaired. Are you lost in backsliden? Cheer up. His will restore that which you have lost if you return to him. ‘Come and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smittten, and he will bind us up.’(Hos. 6:1) 

Prerequisite For Friendship With The King

Here is an invitation for you to be a friend of this King of glory. In order to be his friend, you must believe in him. ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life’(John 3:16)

Blessed is your eyes that have read these lines. Happy are ye if ye do them. Peace.