Let’s Act as If Jesus Truly Is King 

I saw that numerous demonstrations were organized last weekend in order to protest some of the policies and actions being taken by the current President and his administration. The motto that was being prominently displayed on many of the participants’ signs was “Hands Off.” Apparently this sentiment conveyed their desire for the government to stop intruding into certain parts of their lives. They don’t appreciate some of the reforms that have been implemented since this administration took power.

This week our thoughts often turn to another crowd. At one point they were joyfully welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem as their deliverer and king. They laid down their palm branches before him in recognition of His greatness. They shouted their hosannas. They declared, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38) Their zealous support and praise of Him was so intense that it drew complaints from some of the religious leaders. However, it was only a few days later that the fickleness of this group was manifested. They were easily persuaded to turn against this same person. However, they didn’t simply demand that He keep His “hands off” their business. No, they called for His crucifixion.

It is easy for us to be critical of those who seem to have so quickly changed their tune about Jesus. However, we need to be careful that we aren’t guilty of similar actions. We can recognize Jesus for who He is. We can acknowledge that He is the Savior. We can even refer to Him as our King and our Lord. Nevertheless, it is one thing to worship Him as King, but another to actually submit to His authority over us. We can call Him our Lord, but are we yielding ourselves to His will for our lives?

Although we may confess Jesus to be the King, we are often ready to pull out our “Hands Off” signs in protest when His policies and commands conflict with the way we think or the way we conduct ourselves. We don’t mind Him being King, just as long as He doesn’t interfere with certain aspects of our lives. If His will conflicts with our will, then some people choose to rebel against Him. Others try to find a way to reinterpret His demands so as to make them appear to be compatible with their behavior. Others will compartmentalize their lives, letting Jesus generally be the ruler over their house, but keeping certain doors closed or rooms off limits to His presence and influence.

   If we believe Jesus is King, then we need to act more like it. Instead of just bowing before Him in worship on Sunday mornings, we ought to be bowing in submission to Him throughout the rest of our week. Rather than searching for ways to make His commands fit our lifestyle, we should change what we are doing in order to be obedient to His will for us. We need to retire our “Hands Off” signs we have pulled out too often in the past in reference to Jesus. Instead, we need to affirm that we belong to Him, He is our Lord, and we are willing to do whatever He might call us to do. Nothing is off limits to Him in our lives. His lordship covers everything – our finances, our work, our relationships, our free time, our family, everything.

 So as we join the crowd on that Palm Sunday acknowledging Jesus to be King, let’s be sure to take it a step further and actually submit to His authority and lordship over our lives.