Acts 17:7 Whom Jason has received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. (children's sermon): — 1. What a blank would be produced if all we know about kings and queens were destroyed! We are not to suppose that all have been like our own good Queen Victoria. What we know of kings and queens ought to make us very grateful that we live under such a reign. 2. Do not suppose that there are not any kings or queens but such as wear crowns. If a boy does what is right, serves and loves God, he is a king. If a girl is gentle, wise, pure, dutiful, she has graces which make her queenly. Kingly qualities have often been developed by the ordinary trades of life. The walks of literature also have produced many. So that in the history of the world we have had more monarchs without crowns than with. The Lord Jesus is King — I. ON THE GROUND OF RIGHT. He had the right of the Father's appointment. We do not question the right of Moses to the leadership, or of David to kingship, or of St. Paul to the apostleship, because they received their offices from God. And it is quite as certain that Jesus received kingship from the same power. "Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion." II. BECAUSE OF HIS PERFECT QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE REGAL POSITION. This is a great deal more than can be said about all kings. If experience and knowledge, if tenderness and power, if majesty and condescension, if dignity and humility, if wisdom and wealth, and if royal lineage and great personal virtues, can show qualification for government, then Jesus has such qualification without limit. "It pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell." III. BECAUSE HE HAS THE HEARTY APPROVAL OF HIS SUBJECTS. No king ever yet had the free, intelligent goodwill of his people so fully accorded him. Convene a meeting of all His subjects, not any of the crowned heads of Europe would secure one vote from the subjects of Jesus, in opposition to His monarchy. Every voter would say, "Jesus only, our King." IV. BECAUSE HE ISSUES LAW TO HIS PEOPLE AND MAINTAINS RESPECT FOR AND OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW HE ISSUES. What mighty contrasts exist between the laws of earthly sovereigns and those of Jesus! Human laws affect nations; Divine laws are for and affect everybody. Human laws have to be altered to suit altered circumstances, but "one jot or one tittle of His word shall not fail." Laws here have been founded in error; Christ's are founded in eternal truth. Laws are frequently hard to interpret correctly, and men of plain, simple minds, as well as astute lawyers, have made mistakes. Christ's laws are all easy, simple, and plain. V. BECAUSE HE HAS POWER TO ENFORCE HIS WILL. No king, however large his army, or however great his power, ever had the might that Jesus has. VI. BECAUSE HE HAS A LARGE RETINUE OF ILLUSTRIOUS PERSONS. The retinue King Jesus has, and will have, will far surpass anything of the sort ever seen upon our earth — Abel, Noah, Abraham, David, etc. Yes, patriarchs looked forward to His day; prophets gladly announced His coming; kings and poets wrote of Him, and angels ministered unto Him. And now, as His chariot appears, they all say, "There is another King, one Jesus." Look at the chariot. It is called the gospel. Its wheels are capable of travelling over any sort of roads, rough or smooth, hard or soft; through woods, across seas, or over deserts. The chariot itself is so strong that not all the powers of men and devils can break it. No time can cause it to decay, nor can any element impair its beauty. It is lined within and without with promises. It is so full of provisions that not the supply of all the wants of all men can possibly produce deficiency. And then this chariot is so large that there is room for all: and all who ride do so free of charge. Then, what steeds are drawing this chariot! The one is called "Love abounding," and the other "Zeal undying"; and they never tire. But neither chariot nor horses are half so wonderful as King Jesus, the occupant of this chariot (Revelation 1:13). On the procession moves; and the illustrious ones following are as grand and even more numerous than such as preceded. Here come the apostles, martyrs, reformers, etc., etc. There is no wisdom so wise, no goodness so great, nor any act so becoming, as to join whilst we are yoking the retinue of King Jesus. This is done by giving our hearts to Him. Joseph joined when but a boy. Samuel also, and David, and Timothy. VII. BECAUSE HE TAKES A DEEP PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE ELEVATION AND GOOD OF ALL HIS SUBJECTS. All kings have not done so. Some have asked only how they could increase their possessions or dignity. Note the marks of the interest monarchs take in their subjects. 1. The sacrifices they make in their behalf. Look then at the sacrifices made by Jesus for all His people. 2. Their gladness when the people are contented and prosperous; and their tenderness and sympathy when calamity comes upon them. A king should he the reflex, or counterpart, of his people. This, I am sure, is what Jesus is; when His subjects are in suffering, He says, "Fear not, I will uphold thee"; and when He has turned their sorrow into joy, He says, "Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King." VIII. BECAUSE HE GIVES ACCESS TO HIS PEOPLE. The power of an earthly king to do this is limited; and those who approach earthly thrones can only do so at great cost. But Jesus allows all His subjects to approach Him at all times, and without expense. IX. BECAUSE HE HAS A LARGE REVENUE. "As rich as a king" is quite a proverb. Boys and girls may well wonder where the king gets all his money from. It is from taxes! Jesus is by far the richest king that ever occupied a throne. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." But He is not dependent upon gold for the progress of His kingdom. In His treasury there are contributions of greater value. Prayer, praise, holy living, zeal. X. BECAUSE HE PROTECTS THE RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES OF HIS SUBJECTS. Does He not say to all, "Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm"? I know that sometimes it looks as though He gave them up to the power of their enemies. It looked as though He had forgotten Joseph, Daniel, etc.; but the issue showed how well they were cared for. XI. BECAUSE HE HAS ROYAL FAVOURS TO BESTOW. In all countries kings have been noted for this. Warriors, legislators, poets, philanthropists, the great, the wealthy, and the learned, are they who carry off royal honours; and should royal favours come down to the poor and indigent in any great measure, what a stir and to-do would be made about it! Jesus carries off the palm in this department. He restricts not His favours to any privileged class; like the sunlight, they fall with equal beauty and energy upon the brow of the poor and of the wealthy; like the dew, they descend with equal power upon the cottage and the palace home. What are the favours of King Jesus? 1. Pardon for all sin. "He is exalted a Prince and a Saviour," etc. 2. Purity of heart and life. 3. Grace, according to the wants of His people. 4. A valid title to heaven, and its possession at death.For these gifts the world's gold, valour, industry, wisdom, are all in vain; and so for each one we must say, "Now, thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." (J. Goodacre.) Parallel Verses KJV: Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. |
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