The King of Glory
The Rev. Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
“The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).
The God who spoke and all things came into being is the King and Ruler of all Creation. He rules all things and owns all things. God ordains all things that come to pass. He provides all things for the enjoyment of His people.
David wrote Psalm 24 roughly 3,000 years ago. We sometimes think that man in our time knows more than David did. We think that we’ve grown in wisdom, strength and knowledge since king David’s time. In many ways, however, we have actually regressed.
David was king in Israel by God’s anointing. He ruled Israel under the authority of God. David knew that God was the sovereign Creator of all things. David was also confronted in his sins of adultery and murder. David acknowledged his sin and appealed to God’s mercy for forgiveness. David’s sin was forgiven but his household experienced the consequences of his sin during his lifetime.
A comparison of the church with the visible church in the Old Testament reveals that little has changed from the time of David. Paul gave a picture of the visible church in 2 Timothy 3:1ff. Often in the visible church men and women have become lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant and abusive, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, etc. Some leaders in the church “have a form of godliness but deny its power.”
Secular culture continues to spiral downward suppressing any moral compass. Leaders govern to suit their own self-interest, motivated by a thirst for power. They forget or ignore that they are God’s ministers for the good and welfare of all people (Romans 13:1-4). But there will come a day when they will give an account to the only King of Glory!
Praise God that in light of this there is a day of celebration approaching. The Christian Church will celebrate Palm Sunday. This is the day on which the church remembers Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, 2,000 yrs. ago.
The people cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9)! Also, the religious leaders read Psalm 24 in the temple but were blind to the King of Glory in their midst.
At the same time the people begged God to save them and do it now the leaders read “Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors that the King of glory may come in” (Psalm 24:9). Both were blind to the meaning of God’s words.
Evidence of their blindness was revealed less than one week later. The cry of “Let him be crucified” was heard in the city (Matthew 27:23). In less than one week Jesus’ position before the people changed from the object of praise to the object of hatred. Had I been there I likely would have joined the crowd. But God broke into my man-centered life causing me to see the truth.
A celebration of the King of Glory is what we all need. We remind ourselves that we would have been right there with the crowd crying “Crucify him”. But, by the sovereign grace of the King those who are in Christ see the truth.
The time-tested hymns of the church convey sound doctrine. One such hymn, “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” is traditionally sung on Palm Sunday. The first verse declares the truth of God’s plan of redemption. ”All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring! Thou art the King of Israel, thou David’s royal Son, who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed One!”
I can picture worshipers processing around the sanctuary while waving palm branches. All who affirm the truth of the King of Glory who is Jesus were given eyes to see Him as their Lord and Savior. At one point in your life you may have been counted with those who cried crucify Him. But now, I pray that you have embraced the truth revealed in God’s word. May you have a joyous celebration of the coming of the King of Glory. May you with the rest of God’s people wait with eager expectation for the King to return. Place your hope in Him!
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20)!
