Why Christ is King?

As part of the ancient world’s coronation rituals, a king would ride into the city.  The city would submit to the rule of this new king and be gladly welcomed.

We see Christ ride into Jerusalem on a donkey too.  He is the King entering the city.

Luke 19 v 29-38

As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.  When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Christ is a king.  But what is He a king of?

With the story above, it is clear He is the King of Jerusalem and its inhabitants.  And in fact, when He is crucified, the Roman authorities placed this title above His head.

Matthew 27 v 37

Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the King of the Jews.

Another interesting take, is to say that Creation is like a city.  God incarnates into Creation.  He comes from beyond and enters through the Virgin.

Whereas the people on Palm Sunday celebrate Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem, the angelic host celebrates the arrival of the King into Creation. Even using similar language.

The Angels sing:

Luke 2 v 14

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

So Christ is King.  Not only the King of the Jews (and by extension Christians), He is also the King of All Creation.