May 17, 2010 Seeing the King

I've long known that David was a fore-shadowing of the Kingship of Christ.  Today, the Lord pointed out a parallel in the Scriptures that I have never noticed before.  The Old and New Testaments both concur that there are two reactions to the revelation of the true King.  It seems when you are confronted with the King, you either love him or hate him.

From all that I have read about them, I have come to the conclusion that David and Jesus were both totally lovable.  Not in a "popularity contest" sort of way, but winsome because they were righteous, powerful, wise and serving.  Really, it was only the proud and envious leaders that hated them and stirred people up against them.  David was celebrated in Israel from the start, but Saul was fearful of him taking the throne from himself and his son Jonathan.  He "saw" the true king, but refused to see what he saw.  He tried to kill him instead.  It's easy to see the parallels in Jesus' life.

The Pharisees "saw" Jesus and His Kingship but willfully refused to see what they saw.  After Jesus gave the blind beggar his sight, He said:
“Do you believe in the Son of God?” He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains." John 9: 35-41 NKJV

The beggar couldn't see at first, physically or spiritually, but when confronted with the King, he saw, believed what he saw, and worshipped Him.  I believe the Pharisees, like Saul, could see Who Jesus was, but refused to believe what they saw, out of fear, pride and envy.  They refused to acknowledge God.  The Pharisees' and Saul's iniquity caused them to see their savior as an evil usurper rather than the rightful King.  Once confronted with the Light, rebellious, selfish darkness will try to extinguish it.

Jonathan "saw" the kingship in David, and covenanted with him in loyal friendship.  He did not try to fight for his own "rights".  It says Jonathan loved him as his own soul.   This is the kind of love Christians should have for one another, because we see the King.  We don't worship each other, but we worship the King in one another, and we give one another the loyalty, love and honor that are due the children and vessels of the King. 

How we respond to one another really reveals our heart toward God.  If we allow ourselves to be blinded by heart-sin (iniquity), we will throw spears at our brothers and sisters (probably not actually, but verbally).  We are actually throwing them at the Lord.  If, and when, we find ourselves on the receiving end of this kind of blindness, the Holy Spirit will come along side us and defend us, as Jonathan defended David.  If we love the King, we will honor His brothers and sisters, even to the point of risking our own lives.

David escaped from the presence of the earthly king, but returned in power.  The beggar was sent out, first by Jesus to wash his eyes (he probably had to get out of the presence of the rabid unbelief in order to be able to receive his sight), and then he was expelled from the congregation by the leaders.  Perhaps he was a great witness for the Lord "outside the camp."  David's followers were "outlaws" for many years.  We too, have to follow the Lord and bear His reproach "outside the camp." (Hebrews 13:13)

If we get rejected by people-- whether our natural family, self-righteous leaders, or a particular group-- be assured that righteousness will eventually be vindicated.  Jesus was sent out of this world (by His own choice of course: He laid down His life), rejected by His own.  But He will be returning in power to claim His throne in the glory of the Father.  I wouldn't want to be one of His enemies!!  (read Revelation 19).  But His reward will be with Him for His loyal, faithful servants!