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By Rick Sibert June 2007 |
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Looking for the King
As depicted by Sir Walter Scott in his classic novel, Ivanhoe, England’s King Richard the Lion-Hearted was a beloved fairy-tale king. He was the “absent king,” away from home for much of his reign, leading the Crusades to rid the Holy Land of her Muslim invaders.
While he was gone – as the story goes – his evil brother, Prince John, was put on the throne, and indeed the kingdom suffered. John was demanding, cruel, and heartless, whereas Richard was sanguine and brave. The English people loved their true king and longed for his return, awaking each morning with anticipation that this would be the day that he would return to reclaim his throne and set his people free from John’s tyrannical rule.
As you can imagine, the true story about King Richard and his legacy is not quite so romanticized, but as I was reading about him recently I thought Scott’s characterization of him was a good illustration for some much needed Biblical truth.
We also serve a King who has gone “away” do we not? Read this wonderful account of Jesus’ final moments on Earth and His marching orders for His beloved disciples:
When Jesus had led them out of the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. They asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times and dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After He said this, he was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee, why do you stand there looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”…Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. (Mk 16:19, Lk 24:50-52, Acts 1:6-11)
The question that begs to be asked is this: Do we also wake each morning with anticipation that this will be the day that our King returns from Heaven to set up His eternal rule and reign? You see, we are sojourners in this world – aliens – also living under the tyrannical rule of a deposed prince. I believe the major ailment affecting most Christians today (myself included) is that we don’t live with the expectancy that today could be the day! The early church certainly lived this way (Read the accounts in the book of Acts and in Paul’s writings to the first century churches). They fully expected the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ! Do we today? Or do we let life’s cares distract us and cause us to take our focus off of where it should always be?
This is really a faith issue. How we view this issue directly affects our daily lives as believers. Do we trudge through our humdrum routines? Do we let the circumstances of life get us down? Have we forgotten that we have a King who promises us He will return for His people? This should produce single-mindedness! This should produce fervency and zeal! This should produce an attitude that each and every minute of each and every day counts and that we don’t want to be found “wanting”, but rather found doing the Father’s business.
As I’m sure there were in the days of King Richard, there are scoffers in our midst today as well…”Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our father’s died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-7) But remember Peter’s words to counter those charges, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8,9) Jesus is waiting for that perfect time to return and take His throne. The usurper will be put down and the eternal Kingdom will be established. Are you a member of that kingdom? If not, won’t you repent and put your faith in the loving Son of God today and begin to know the peace that only He can bring? If you are a believer, won’t you take a moment and ask the Lord to rid you of anything in your life that is preventing you from living a life of joy focused on Him and Him alone? Your King will return, and He will return the victorious, conquering King! And the great thing is…today could be that day!
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Editor’s Note: Eternal Perspective is a monthly feature of Calvary Chapel Columbus and the commentary of Pastor Rick Sibert, focusing on living a Godly life in the midst of an ungodly world.
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