Kiss the Son, Lest He Be Angry: Something to Think About
Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
The psalmist gave this directive in light 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)?
Psalm 2 foretells Christ and gives an allusion to the Covenant of Redemption. The Covenant of Redemption was made in eternity. The Son agreed to give His life as a ransom for those whom the Father would give Him.
Concerning the warning, men persist in trying 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 is true then there is 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 intricacies that have been observed.
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 the sovereign purpose of God. 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 reality we see unfolding every day in our culture and especially in our civil government is this: Raging nations and plotting peoples (Psalm 2:1a) are seeking to live apart from God.
My main concern however is not the irresponsible actions of our government leaders. My main concern is how naïve Christians seem to be. I suggest that Christians can reasonably assess current events. I further suggest that most Christians can 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 or our leaders rather than on the Sovereign Lord Jesus.
The word of God provides the practical application for those who profess to be following Jesus. Psalm 2:11-12 says, “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.”
Serving the LORD begins with worship. We will serve the one we worship. Worship requires humility leading to submission. 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.
Kissing 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 rather than 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!”
