DAY 263 -BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE UNITED MONARCHY

Reading: Psalm 2; Matthew 1:1-17; Matthew 3: 13-17; Ephesians 1: 9-10 

God's Kingdom needs to be ruled by a righteous King (a king quite unlike many that we’ve read about during the course of this month in 1 and 2 Kings). Matthew identifies Jesus as this King, the long awaited Son of David (Messiah) who has come to take His rightful place at God's right hand. Matthew shows how Jesus is anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism, to assume his role of King. All Israel's kings in the Old Testament received an anointing with oil, by a prophet, to initiate their new role as king. Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean 'anointed one'. The resurrection shows God's ultimate acceptance of Jesus as King and the ascension represents His official coronation day in Heaven. 

History is moving toward a glorious and specific goal. God's plan is to unite all things on Heaven and Earth under the rulership of Jesus the King. Psalm 2 portrays this picture so well. All things means the entire universe. All will bow the knee to Jesus and acknowledge Him as Lord. For some it will be joyous and for others tragic, for the disobedient will be kicked out of the Kingdom into the outer darkness. 

We are princes in Christ and should never forget the greatness of our calling in Christ. Paul prays that we should have a revelation of God's call, inheritance and power to accomplish His great plan; to bring all things in Heaven and Earth under the headship of Christ. It is God’s power that will bring this about. God’s power is seen in three events; Jesus resurrection from the dead, His enthronement over evil and His headship of the Church. Salvation is by God's grace alone, through Christ alone. He is the head of the Church and the leader of a new Kingdom, a new people of God, joined by all the faithful from the beginning. The Church is built upon the foundation of the 12 Apostles with Jesus as the chief cornerstone. All of us in Christ are a part of this new humanity, we will live in the New Heavens and New Earth under Christ’s rule. 

Prayer

Dear Father, thank You for fulfilling Your promise to Abraham and David and raising up the Lord Jesus as the Christ. Thank You for including us in your Kingdom. 

For the family

Explain again that Jesus is the real and ultimate king of heaven and earth. Spend time remembering what Jesus is like and imagining how its going to be like when Jesus comes back to Earth to be king.