That the King of Glory May Come In
Jesus Christ is the victorious King of glory. He was mighty in battle (Ps 24:8), in defeating sin, Satan, and the last enemy…death (1 Cor 15:26). He has overcome the world (Jn 16:33), and set His captive people free (Jn 8:32) from bondage to sin (Rom 6:6), death, judgment, and eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15).
Jesus Christ, our Lord, leads us in His triumph…always (2 Cor 2:14). For nothing, nothing at all can separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:31–39), poured out in our hearts (Rom 5:5). His victory is our victory, by faith (1 Jn 5:4).
Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift granted to God’s victorious elect (Eph 2:8–9; Phil 1:29). Faith is given to those who believe (Gal 3:22), as the Holy Spirit baptizes them into Christ (Rom 6:4). Baptized into Christ’s body, the church, we become members of His mission and enterprise, to bring glory to God the Father. By honoring the Son of God, we glorify God the Father (Jn 5:23).
There is one city that stands over and against all the cities of the world. The Bible calls this city “Zion” the city of God. It is God’s dwelling place, the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22). There, the mansions of glory await their occupants — the sons of God. In Mount Zion, where God’s people dwell in righteousness (2 Pet 3:13) and in perfect protection (Is 4:5), there is prosperity and security. How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts (Ps 84:1)!
Each year, in every generation and everywhere God’s faithful ones are found, we celebrate Palm Sunday. We remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to commence the Passion Week, which we call “holy.” This event also looks forward to the day when Christ Jesus returns to heavenly Zion with His church, in order to present her holy and blameless before the Father (Eph 1:4; 5:27; Col 1:22). Believers in Jesus bear witness of Him and testify, in the manner of those who were at Jerusalem, when the large crowds had gathered for the feast (Jn 12:12–19).
These witnesses had seen the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11). He, too, walked among the living dead, as one who had personally died in the body, was buried in a tomb, and had been called back to life, by the command of Jesus. Lazarus was a spectacle, “I was dead, but now I am alive!”
Each born again soul is a walking Lazarus. Having been made alive by the Spirit of Christ (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13), the regenerate soul is a witness to Christ, even to the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). We, too, can testify, “I was dead in my trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1), but He has given me new life (2 Cor 5:17, 1 Pet 1:3).”
With this new life, Christians become adopted children of God (Rom 8:15, 23; 1 Jn 3:1. 10), and it is impossible to deny our Father, who loved us in election and Christ Jesus, who loved us in redemption on the cross (Rom 5:8). Lazarus’ testimony would be powerful all the rest of the days of his life, “Jesus is glorious! He is my Lord! You must join us in welcoming the King of Israel, strong and mighty (Ps 24:8; Jn 12:13)!”
Friend, Jesus rode on a humble beast that day, in fulfillment of the Scriptures (Jn 12:15). He emptied Himself of His heavenly glory (Phil 2:5–11), in order to serve and give His life a ransom for many (Mk 10:45). Will you stand by with the scoffers, yet again this year (Jn 12:19)? The gates of hell await those who have no fear of God, even as the gates of heaven await Christ Jesus and His bride, the church.
Christ the King of glory is coming for His beloved (Mt 24–25; Mk 13; Lk 21). He declares, “Behold, I am coming quickly (Rom 22:7. 12)!” He is coming to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5). He will separate the sheep from the goats (Mt 25:32–33). Some will be at His right hand for salvation, and some will be at His left for judgment (Mt 25:31–46). Are you looking forward to His coming? Examine yourself with that question.
With all the angels and saints with Him, He comes to judge. His kingdom is ever lasting (Ps 145:13; Dan 4:3), and all heaven awaits His return with His beloved. With resurrected and glorified bodies (Rom 8:30; 1 Jn 3:2), our souls will be conjoined (Jn 5:25–29). Therefore, with the testimony and witness of Lazarus, we declare to you our God, who raises sinners from the dead (Acts 3:15; 13:30).
Christian, redeem the time in this evil season of fear and death (Eph 5:16; Col 4:5). Take every opportunity to bear witness to the fact that death is not victorious (Lk 21:13; Gal 6:10; Col 4:5). Proclaim Jesus (Col 1:28), risen from the dead, ascended into glory, reigning over all (Mt 28:18), and soon returning (Mt 24:29–31). Jesus rides again this year. One more year in humility, in the Spirit of remembrance, gathering His saints from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rev 5:9; 7:9).
When all the elect have been gathered, through the preaching of His glorious Gospel (Mt 24:14), He will ride again to conquer, this time upon the white horse, coming to vanquish what remains of the rebellion against God and against His Anointed (Ps 2:2; Rev 19:11–21).
Jesus Christ is the Lord of hosts. He is the King of glory, and only for Him does Jerusalem open her gates. Lift up your heads O gates! And be lifted up O doors! That the King of glory may come in (Ps 24:7)! Are you with us?
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
November 28, 2022
