King who reigns from a manger throne
My life, my praise, everything I own
To Jesus the King on a manger throne”
Manger Throne, Phil Wickham
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Matthew 11:29, KJV
In reading the book of Revelation there are some awe-inspiring, intimidating, and sometimes even terrifying images of Jesus.
He is described as having eyes like fire, a voice that roars like many waters, His words coming from His mouth like a sharp double-edged sword (Revelation 1:12-20).
Revelation chapter 4 describes Him as being seated on the throne – surrounded by rumbles and peals of thunder and flashes of lightning on a sea of glass – surrounded by elders and angels crying out holy!
In Revelation 19 we read the following description: 11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:king of kings and lord of lords. (NIV)
These glorious descriptions of Jesus command reverence – He is worthy of our highest praise – and there will come a day where every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord of all creation.
He is the Name Above All Names, the King Set in Zion.
In the Old Testament we read that Elijah called down fire on the men of King Ahaziah. Certainly Jesus, as the Messiah, at His coming in the Gospels could’ve come with fire and showed the world who He was.
Instead of stepping down with the Hosts of Heaven and the sounding of trumpets, in all His awesome Glory, He chooses to come in meekness – our Dear and Gentle Saviour, our Good Shepherd and the Lover of our Souls.
“Come and learn from Me…” He says, offering us peace instead of judgement, rest for our souls.
The Will of God for humanity has never been calamity or destruction.
It has always been reconciliation.
So He comes as the Olive Branch – the Peace of God comes and walks in our midst. He comes, meek and mild – Jesus comes as the Lamb of God, the sacrifice for our pardon.
At the same time He is very much the Judgement of God, the Lion, the One Called Faithful and True with the eyes of fire, the voice of many waters and the vestments dipped in blood – riding upon a white horse, His Word like a double-edged sword, and accompanied by all the Hosts of Heaven – seated upon the Throne in Heaven. He is the Love of God, but also the Wrath of God.
In Luke 12:54-59: Jesus tells us to wisely discern the times we are living in.
This current dispensation of grace will only last while it lasts.
Jesus says, “learn from Me…”
In this current dispensation we are His hands – extending the Olive Branch of His peace, joy, love and righteousness. We are His feet upon the mountains bringing Good News. We are to be His agents here upon the Earth, ministers of reconciliation.
It is time we take our call seriously.
Charles Spurgeon shared the following thought: “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”
Let us discern the time we are living in and not waste it. Let us encourage our family, friends, neighbors – any and all who have ears to hear – to turn to the Lord, to take up His yoke of gentleness, peace and love – so that we may all stand together with the Hosts of Heaven behind the One Called Faithful and True, rather than on the other side, upon the Day of the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, give me a burden upon my heart – a need to see revival and restoration among Your children. I pray Lord that You would open doors for me to share the Good News of Your Kingdom. Give me the right words Lord, help me speak truth in a broken and lost world that I might see others come to You. Help me live a life surrendered to Your will. Help me Lord to take seriously my calling as a minister of reconciliation and equip me through Your Spirit to lift up the banner of Your mercy and grace and work for the expansion of Your Kingdom. In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.