In our study of the threefold office of Christ this Advent season, we’ve been exploring how Jesus ministers to us as Prophet, Priest, and King. These three distinct roles, often held by separate individuals in the Old Testament, are beautifully united and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Today, we’re focusing on Jesus as King. The Old Testament’s history with kings is intriguing. There was a time when Israel had no king at all. From the days of Abraham, through Moses and Joshua, and into the period of the Judges, God’s people lived without a human monarch. They had God’s law to guide them, priests as mediators, and warrior-leaders called Judges. God Himself was their King, providing for them and guiding them.
However, in the 11th century BC, the elders of Israel approached the aging priest Samuel with a request: “Give us a king like all the other nations.” They desired a visible, human ruler, even though God had always been their true King. This request deeply saddened Samuel, and God revealed to him that the people were rejecting Him as their King. They wanted to be like everyone else, forsaking their unique identity as God’s chosen people.
God instructed Samuel to grant their request but not before warning them about the potential burdens of having a human king. Samuel cautioned that a king would demand their sons for his chariots and armies, their daughters to serve in his palace, and the best of their fields, vineyards, and olive orchards. He warned that a king would take a tenth of their grain and flocks, and even their servants would be subject to his command. Samuel declared, “He will take, take, take…and you shall be his slaves.” He cautioned that in their desire to be like other nations, they were turning away from their unique identity as God’s chosen people, and ultimately, they would cry out because of the king they had chosen.
This portion of scripture reminds us that our desire for earthly things can often lead us away from God’s best. When we chase after what the world values, we risk rejecting God’s rightful place in our lives. Just as Israel yearned for a king, we too can be tempted to seek fulfillment and security in things that ultimately cannot satisfy. Let us remember that Jesus is our true and eternal King, the one who laid down His life for us and offers us true freedom and purpose. He is the King who serves, who loves without condition, and who offers us a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
