Knox, Port Carling & Zion, Torrance Presbyterian Charge

Sunday May 24, 2020

Message: Jesus, the Wise and Loving King

Reverend Glynis Faith

1Kings 3:16-28 (NIV)

¹⁶ Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. ¹⁷ One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. ¹⁸ The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.

¹⁹ “During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. ²⁰ So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. ²¹ The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.”

²² The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.”

But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king.

²³ The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”

²⁴ Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. ²⁵ He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

²⁶ The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”

But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

²⁷ Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”

²⁸ When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

Hebrews 2:8b-9

In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. ⁹ But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

 MESSAGE

Jesus has been crowned with glory and honour because, in self-sacrificing love, He suffered death for You!

Jesus lowered Himself – He set aside the throne and crown that are rightfully His to suffer and die the death that is rightfully ours. And He did this so that He could share His crown of glory with YOU! Jesus gave us much to make you an heir to His kingdom.

He is our wise and loving King, and to Him alone do we owe our freedom from our sins.

The Old Testament gives us many examples of Kings – good kings – bad kings – really bad kings and really, really bad kings.

One of my favourite kings in the Bible is young King Josiah, who was only 8 years old when he took the throne. Josiah was wise enough to seek counsel from those he trusted, and when the High Priest, Hilkiah, brought him the long lost scrolls of the Laws of Moses, he called on the prophetess Huldah to guide him on these words.

What makes this one of my favourite stories is how quickly the young King calls for reformation. There were no calls for studies or reviews of the current system of idol worship – this little king followed the guidance of the Laws and had all of it removed from the city limits and burned – poof – gone!

That is what true repentance looks like; realizing something is wrong and correcting it. This young king’s example has blessed me numerous times in my life, especially the times where I have had the common sense to follow his example.

There are plenty of characteristics that make a great king, but only one King embodies all of them. That King is Jesus Christ our Lord & Saviour.

We do, however, have righteous kings who embody some of these characteristics and who help us better understand Christ our King and His will for our lives. These kings help us learn lessons about our human frailties and about God’s great love.

David was just such a king; not perfect by any means, but he is humble in faith and a truly compassionate man. David respects God’s will and patiently trusts that God will do what God has promised.

The Psalms tell us a great deal about the character of David, the young shepherd boy that questions the injustices he faces, yet says, ‘but I will trust in you, O God.’

David had remarkable courage and military smarts. Defeating the giant, Goliath while still a young man, then leading Saul’s armies into one victory after another.

He was loyal. Twice while king Saul was trying to kill him, David had the opportunity to take Saul’s life, but he didn’t. David’s loyalty was to God first and neighbour second. David would not kill Saul because God had anointed him king and David would not strike God’s anointed. And David did not kill Saul because he was the king, and it was disloyal to strike the king. When Saul was killed, David showed honour and respect.

David was no saint, but when confronted by his sins, he was quick to humble himself and repent.

One of David’s greatest weaknesses, however, he lacked the strength of character to act justly in family issues, which eventually led to two sons trying to overthrow their father’s throne.

When Solomon began his reign, he first needed to clean up the mess left by David’s inaction. This meant quickly passing judgment on those who betrayed David’s throne. Quick action on Solomon’s part would restore peace in the land.

Solomon was not the warrior his father was; but rather, he was a builder. Solomon built up the nation and is best remembered for building the Temple of God.

You may remember Solomon for his wise decision making. When God offered him anything he desired, Solomon asked for wisdom so that he could rule wisely.

In our Scripture reading this morning Solomon faces a tough decision. There are no witnesses and two conflicting stories as to which woman was the true mother of the living child.

One mother is grieving the loss of her newborn, and in desperation steals the other woman’s child.

One mother desires to have her child back safely.

King Solomon makes a shocking decision, a decision that relies fully on love. A mother’s love would rather see their child raised by another than see any harm come to them. True love is self-sacrificing.

These kings, along with others like them throughout the books of Kings help us to see Jesus in the Old Testament. The Shepherd and Warrior David, The Wise Solomon who builds the Temple of God and the young Josiah who calls down idol worship and ignites reform are mere hints at the true King – Jesus our wise and loving King.

Through these kings we learn of the deep commitment of the Shepherd for his sheep and of the need to act when we hear God speak to us through His Word and His chosen leaders. Through David we learn of compassion, faithfulness and the blessings of observing God in Creation. From Solomon we see the need to take firm action in restoring peace, and we learn to put our trust in love to come through the toughest of situations.

Friends, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for YOU. He is rich in compassion and faithful to YOU, His brothers and sisters. All of Creation was created through Christ, and if you will take the time to look and listen, He will reveal God to you through Creation. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and the Wisdom of God and by His death and resurrection He offers YOU the freedom to step out in love and choose LIFE.

Please pray with me:

Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace – the wise and loving King.  Although we are sinners, You reign with forgiveness and restoration. You Lord, offer us life everlasting – peace for all eternity. Thank you Jesus, our blessed Redeemer and King.  AMEN