King

Well we made it! To the end of the year at least, after a life changing and history making year, and with the major disruptions to our lives and our Church. We can do nothing less than to give thanks to our our good Lord and Saviour for seeing us through, not only as a Church but as a nation, in comparison to the rest of the world.

This time of year we are reminded of the miraculous nature of the birth of Christ. The very idea itself of God becoming man is one shrouded in mystery and wonder. The Apostle Paul tells us that “Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh….” 1 Tim 3:16. The mystery is in the ‘how’ of God manifesting in flesh. We don’t know how God did it, it’s supernatural, it’s miraculous but He did it.

While the world was oblivious to the fact that God had come into the realm of humanity as a baby on that Christmas day, the nativity story tells us that there were wise men from the east who had knowledge that a great King was born. Having finally located him in Bethlehem, they presented gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. The significance of these gifts may get lost in the other details of the narrative but perhaps they reveal aspects of profound importance in the life of this child. The Gold represents his Kingship, the frankincense his priesthood and the myrrh speaks to his suffering as the Messiah.

As King and Priest he carried out his calling, revealing his deity and absolute authority but ultimately his purpose was to go to the cross and as King and Messiah, pay the penalty for man’s sin. This is why today, we are victorious because our King has fought the battle against the tyranny and burden of our iniquities. He won by dying on the cross and being raise again the third day and our conquering King reigns and rules supreme forever. Glory to God in the highest!