What Kind Of King?

An unknown number of priestly scholars of Eastern origin showed up in Jerusalem one day, asking about the birth of the King. Landing in Jerusalem, the priestly scholars began asking around in search of the baby king. They likely did not know that Judea was a vassal of Rome, and the birth of a Judean king was, by some, unwanted and seditious. The quest of the eastern priestly scholars was interrupted as the Roman puppet king, Herod, had his own questions.

The wise men, or magi, recorded in the second chapter of Matthew's gospel, came to Jerusalem looking for a baby king. Very little is known about the magi, and the clues are few as to their exact origin, including where they came from, how many were in their party, what they knew about the birth of Jesus, and how they knew where and when to find Jesus. Modern scholars have generally agreed that the magi must have copies of the Hebrew scriptures and insights from Hebrew priestly scholars such as Daniel. The details of the magi remain uncertain, but the Bible makes one thing intensely clear: the magi came to find a king.

In John chapter 18, Jesus is accused of sedition against the Roman Empire. While questioning Jesus, Pilate, the Roman prefect, asks if Jesus is a king. In his reply, Jesus testifies that he is a king and was born to be King, but that his kingdom is from somewhere else. Jesus supports the otherness of his kingdom by pointing out that as a king, he is not seeking a government, demanding allegiance, or waging war. Instead, Jesus declares that he is the King of what is true; he has come to declare what is true, and his followers are those who listen to him. Pilate's interrogation of Jesus quickly erodes into an epistemological question concerning the reality of truth. Pilate's conclusion echoes through future generations: what kind of King is Jesus, and if Jesus is a king, is he King of nothing?

What is true is not to be taken lightly. The understanding and approach to truth are foundational to personal and societal values and shape culture. The most recent ages of modernism and postmodernism hinge on Pilate's response to Jesus in John 18:38, "What is truth?" Pilate, busy trying to deal with an unruly Jewish crowd and pressure from Romans to maintain order, asks his question and moves on. Pilate misses the significance of his question, which permeates the news, media, music, social media, and social movement today: who determines what is true? Pilate also missed Jesus' point: God determines what is true, beautiful, right, and holy. Jesus is the King of the truth, and Jesus is the true King.

This Christmas, Christians around the globe will celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus was born to be the savior, and he was born to be King, a savior-king. At the time of Jesus' birth, the Jewish people were watching for the coming of a savior, and the magi were watching for the coming of a king. At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus, who came to be both: Jesus, our savior-king.

How does Jesus' coming as savior and king impact how you will follow Him this Christmas season?