March 8, 2022 (Lent Week 1)

 

He is holy. He is King. 


I can’t read things like these (Psalm 45, 47, 48, Mark 1) and not have that truth jump out all over the place. The one who brings the kingdom of God with him everywhere he walks, into every encounter he has, every person he talks to - Jew, Samaritan or Gentile, it doesn’t matter. It says that in the end, EVERY knee will bow, EVERY tongue confess that he is Lord; he is holy and he is King. Because of his humility and his obedience, he is exalted to the highest place above every other name. That’s the kind of king we serve. That’s the kind of king we love. And wow, how worthy he is!


I guess when we look towards Lent, our focus is often on the cross, and as important as that is, I can’t help but keep my gaze beyond. Eyes set on the resurrection, on the one with conquered death for the joy set before him, on the one who brings life and life in abundance. 


He is holy. He is King. 


It always makes me laugh reading about the disciples that Jesus chose to walk alongside him during his ministry. It always sounds relatable! It even mentioned they were “unschooled and ordinary men”, nothing special about them when it came to their standings in society. They weren’t some religious leaders or men high up in political authority, just a tax collector and a bunch of fishermen. Yet, they were everything they needed to be. I think about that a lot when I look at me. I responded to the call of missions before I even knew what it was; two weeks after I graduated high school and moved across the world to find out that I can indeed hear the voice of God. And like the disciples, I’m unschooled and ordinary, yet I am everything I need to be in the eyes of the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 1, it even talks about that, “think of what you were when you were called…” And that can be into any part of your life, when you were called into your job, into your church role, into you relationships. When he calls, he equips - us being reliant on him allows the glory to go to him. So whether you look at life these days or look at life through the eyes of the disciples, God chose the ones he did “so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” ” (1 Corinthians 1:29-31)

Let us boast in our King. 


With all this being said, it has reminded me of the song ‘Underdressed’ by Gable Price and Friends - the lyrics of the bridge are…


I'm feasting with the King

Who left his throne for me

Enthroned upon my praises and clothed in majesty

He is holy and I am underdressed


I think the imagery in this song is a beautiful picture. It displays his holiness as a resurrected king, yet he still invites us to come feast with him despite how we often see ourselves. He sees us as worthy. 


- Jo Wills




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