This week on Palm Sunday we will be celebrating Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem in the final week of his earthly ministry. In this section of the bible we are especially reminded of the kingship of Jesus Christ. In light of Palm Sunday, please consider a question:
Q. How does Christ's kingly rule affect the daily life of his church (you)?
A. Followers of Christ, we are able to rest in the incredible truth that the God who lived a life of utter perfection and gave up his own body for the sake of sinners rose from the grave and is seated at the right hand of the Father. It is this thought that gives a supernatural comfort to the believer which transcends ALL our daily struggles (yes even COVID-19). It is from the seat at the Father's right hand that Christ presently rules over his people. There is a very real sense in which the modern day evangelical church has undermined the significance of Christ's kingly rule. Biblically speaking, there is often kingship language associated with the person of Jesus which reflects his ultimate authority and royal position. One of the primary ways Christ exercises his kingship today is through his Word. The doctrine of sola scriptura teaches that God's word alone has the final authority over the church. Let us recall that this doctrine came about during a time in which scripture’s authority was exchanged for ecclesiastical authority in the Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther and his followers sought to turn from this ecclesiastical tyranny and return to the sole authority of king Jesus found exclusively in his Word. This is how the rule of Christ must play out in the daily life of the church—a daily return to the authority King Jesus revealed in His Word. Any undermining or disputing of the authority of His Word is a denial of King Jesus himself. To summarize, I think it is inadequate to ask how Christ’s rule plays out in the life of his church. Perhaps it is more fitting to ask how the person of Christ becomes the life of his church. There is no part of the Christian life that is not subject to the kingship of Jesus Christ. This ought to stir our hearts to a deep sense of gratitude—knowing we serve a King who is not a tyrant, rather the perfection of goodness and the supreme model of love towards his people.