Kiss the Son
Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way” (Psalm 2:12a).
The Psalmist gave this directive in light of the reality of the sovereignty of God. He asked a question, which is as relevant today as it was when the Psalmist wrote it. “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain” (Psalm 2:1a)?
In response to the sovereignty and omnipotence of God, the Psalmist exhorted all rulers to “kiss” the Son of God. That is, men are to bow before Him in reverence, declaring their absolute loyalty.
Yet, there is a persistence in desiring to be autonomous. We think that we are the center of the universe. Charles Darwin, for example, sought to eliminate man’s need of the Creator God. His theory was purposed in proving that all creation came about through chance and natural selection. He supposed that if his theory of evolution was true then there was no Creator. Man then could assume the place of God.
Most reasonable people have rejected pure Darwinism. Over the years there have been many caveats made to Darwin’s original theory. As we have learned more about God’s wonderful and marvelous creation, pseudo-intellectuals have modified Darwin’s theory to accommodate observed intricacies.
Darwin wrote of one of the weaknesses of his theory. He admitted that the theory of evolution could not explain the complexities of the human eye. He was sure that as technology advanced, those complexities would eventually be explained in evolutionary terms. Today the functions of the human eye are known but the eye’s ability to do all that it can still points to God’s designed purpose. As we learn more about ourselves and the world around us, Psalm 139:14a gives us great assurance that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a sovereign Creator.
Still men suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). This is precisely the Psalmist’s point in Psalm 2. Faced with our true place as creatures before a sovereign Creator, we still seek to set ourselves up as gods.
The circumstances we see unfolding every day in our culture and other cultures around the world is this: Raging nations and plotting peoples seek to live apart from God (Psalm 2:1). As a result, we live in a very dangerous time.
My main concern is how naïve Christians seem to be. My concern is for the church. Christians can and should reasonably assess current events. Christians should be able to recognize those who are calling evil good and good evil. The problem is that there are some who base their hope on the civil government rather than on the Lord Jesus, confusing the relationship between civil government and the church.
The word of God provides the practical advice for all civil leaders. “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way. For his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2: 11-12),
Serving the LORD begins with worship. We serve the one we worship. Worship requires humility leading to submission. For example, the New Testament calls believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God because that is reasonable worship/service (Romans 12:1). God promised blessing for those who rely upon Him.
To kiss the Son is to honor, respect, submit, and obey the Son of God, who is Jesus! Jesus said that the one who loves Him obeys Him. He is the focus of our lives. Jesus is at the center of the Christian’s life. All of our relationships proceed out of our relationship with Him. Jesus also said that true disciples remain in His word (John 8:31).
The Psalmist declared what was at stake for failure to know the truth. He said that Jesus’ anger, judgment, and wrath would be experienced by those who persist in thinking themselves to be God.
This should not be news to Christians. Yet, we have allowed the world to shape our behavior. We’ve succumbed too often to the elevated worth of those who rule over us, that is, govern us.
Jesus said to fear the one who can destroy both our bodies and souls in hell. Don’t be deceived, Jesus is the Sovereign Lord. He will hold all men accountable for their actions. He will have the final say. Christian, persevere in being a true disciple of Jesus. Remain in His word. “Kiss the Son!”
