If Jesus Is King…

Jesus’ kind of leadership takes the burden of legalism and self-righteousness from us.   ~~~   Jesus is the king who went into the cities and had compassion on the people because he saw that they were harassed and helpless with burdensome, legalistic commands; they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he tells his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few, therefore pray to the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Doesn’t this sound like our world right now, our own family, our own friends? They are seeking a king, a leader, to calm the panic, alleviate the fear and give them courage, conviction, rest, and peace and purpose, many Christians are in this camp. Jesus is the king who says to us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” If Jesus is a King who takes from us the weariness and burdens of the oppressive yokes of legalism, then shouldn’t we, Christians be the rested warrior ready to go out in the fields for battle? If the yoke is easy and the burden is light, then what is hindering us from the fight? Why are slow and sluggish and faint? Shouldn’t we be the Jonathan’s who have been refreshed by the honey of God and have bright eyes ready to go to battle? If our leader, our King has told us as parents to raise our children in such a way that they are to be sharp arrows that will strike a mighty blow against the enemy, don’t be surprised nor afraid when might enemies rise up in the world. We have the weapons in our hands! If we are those things, perhaps we have been following the wrong king, seeking the wrong king, and it’s time to recalibrate our lives. Do what Saul refused to do and that is repent. Recognize your hard-heartedness, confess, and turn in humility and repentance to the Almighty. There is also a word to those who serve in leadership, kingly roles, like fathers. How do you lead? Do you lead with godless demands and rules and rash vows? Do you lead in order to protect your own reputation, to gain your own glory? Does your leadership cause so much desperation that it brings others to sin? Then we know you are not following Jesus, but living in your own kingdom of self-exaltation and self-righteousness. So you too, turn, repent, and run to Christ in faith, and walk with him Day by Day.