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Mar 29, 2024 06:00am

The Unexpected King

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“I’m the king of the world!”

As kids, this was often the top of the top, the best there was and could ever be.

To be King.

Whether it was capture the flag, beating your brother at basketball (which did happen when he was shorter than me), or getting the best test grade in the class. Claiming that you were the King of the world was the ultimate dream and accomplishment. For any person alive, there was nothing that could top it.

And yet, Jesus did not want that at all.

John 6:14-15

“Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

The highest honor. The greatest achievement. The royal throne and crown and the power it held. The dream of every man was to be King.

But not Jesus. It was His throne to take, but He didn’t want it.

Not here. Not now. Not like this.

In the minds of men, a king would rescue them from oppression. They would raise an army and fight against Rome, taking back their land, possessions, and freedom. This King would reign like David did, and the Jews would once again be known as God’s chosen people.

But that’s just how men think.

It’s not like the mind of God at all.

We think according to what we know, the here and the now. But God sees the whole picture. His strategy is far different than ours.

Jesus was and is the rightful King, but not in the way these men wanted it.

Often, we think selfishly, don’t we? What will be the best outcome for me now? We don’t want to endure hardship or trials even if they are used to build strength and resilience in us for what’s ahead. We’d rather surpass all that and go straight for the prize, straight to the top, declaring our victory over our enemy.

But God’s timing is different. His strategy has been well thought out and prepared for a long time. There will be a time for reward. There will be a time of victory. But maybe it’s not yet.

So, what do we do as we wait upon the Lord?

Get alone with the Lord and pray. Wait patiently for Him. Trust that He has a plan and purpose. Don’t let others force or manipulate you just because it benefits them. Listen for the Lord. It may not look anything like you had planned, but He is working it out all in His time.

Trust Him.

Wait upon the Lord.