A New Kind of Power

There is irony in attributing the title of “King” to Jesus. All our passages paint a picture of the Savior’s reign, but they describe it in a way that does not exactly scream, “all-powerful king.” Jeremiah prophesies about a future king who will bring security for all the people; Luke records the song of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, which promises a child who will bring mercy; the Gospel reading tells the story of Jesus’ death as an act of mercy for our forgiveness; and in Colossians, Christ is placed above all earthly rulers and powers. Does this absence of physical might mean there has been a mistake somewhere along the way? Not necessarily. A large part of the work of Jesus was challenging the beliefs of his time, and kingly language regarding a man who practiced non-violence, participated in the forgiveness of sins, and preached the ultimate importance of love, is no exception.

• Read Jeremiah 23:1-6. What does hope for redemption look like in a world that can sometimes seem so far from it?
• Read Luke 1:68-79. How have you seen God fulfill promises in your life? What was the moment like when you realized God had a plan all along?
• Read Colossians 1:11-20. Where are you needing endurance and patience? How can your relationship with God positively affect the way you exist in those spaces?
• Read Luke 23:33-43. What are ways you expect God to show up in your life today? How might these expectations be keeping you from seeing God already at work?