O Lord, as we have known
the incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, by the message of the angel to the
virgin Mary, so by the message of His cross and passion bring us to the glory
of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and
reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [Collect
for The Annunciation of Our Lord]
"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. (Luke 1:32)
Just nine months until Christmas! The celebration of The Annunciation of Our Lord takes place on March 25th. The angel Gabriel declares to Mary that her Son will have the throne of His father, David. It seems that's what ends up putting Him up on the cross— that He DOESN'T appear to take this throne. Jesus rode into Jerusalem but He didn't kick out the Romans. He didn't come to save every poor person from poverty or every slave from being a slave or every Jew from being oppressed by the Romans. No wonder the crowds got tired of Him and sent Him to the cross instead.
The kind of King Gabriel tells Mary that Jesus will be is the one promised through the line of David indeed. But that's not a king like the world wants. No paparazzi following this King. No autographs and parades. This King ends up on a throne of wood wearing a crown of thorns. His kingdom isn't one of political power but forgiveness and life. His subjects are sinners who have been saved by their King.
In Jesus' own day and in the days following, many have rallied around Jesus as a King. But when they realize He's not the sort of King they want for whatever deliverance they are looking for, they give up on Him and want nothing to do with Him. But He does His being a King anyway. He goes the way of suffering and death. Fulfills all the promises made through the ages. Saves sinners. Rules with grace. Dies having finished His work. Rises again and is crowned with all glory and majesty at the Father's right hand.
You have been born into this kingdom. Born at the font. Made a citizen of heaven. Crowned with the glory of Christ who shares His blessings with all His subjects. You feast with the King. You hear His proclamations. The angel announced to Mary that her Son would be this King. And He announces to you and the world that He is your good and gracious King.
To God be the Glory,
Pastor Ray
"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. (Luke 1:32)
Just nine months until Christmas! The celebration of The Annunciation of Our Lord takes place on March 25th. The angel Gabriel declares to Mary that her Son will have the throne of His father, David. It seems that's what ends up putting Him up on the cross— that He DOESN'T appear to take this throne. Jesus rode into Jerusalem but He didn't kick out the Romans. He didn't come to save every poor person from poverty or every slave from being a slave or every Jew from being oppressed by the Romans. No wonder the crowds got tired of Him and sent Him to the cross instead.
The kind of King Gabriel tells Mary that Jesus will be is the one promised through the line of David indeed. But that's not a king like the world wants. No paparazzi following this King. No autographs and parades. This King ends up on a throne of wood wearing a crown of thorns. His kingdom isn't one of political power but forgiveness and life. His subjects are sinners who have been saved by their King.
In Jesus' own day and in the days following, many have rallied around Jesus as a King. But when they realize He's not the sort of King they want for whatever deliverance they are looking for, they give up on Him and want nothing to do with Him. But He does His being a King anyway. He goes the way of suffering and death. Fulfills all the promises made through the ages. Saves sinners. Rules with grace. Dies having finished His work. Rises again and is crowned with all glory and majesty at the Father's right hand.
You have been born into this kingdom. Born at the font. Made a citizen of heaven. Crowned with the glory of Christ who shares His blessings with all His subjects. You feast with the King. You hear His proclamations. The angel announced to Mary that her Son would be this King. And He announces to you and the world that He is your good and gracious King.
To God be the Glory,
Pastor Ray