The True Hero King

I celebrated another birthday not long ago.  One of the things I made sure to do on that day was call my mom and thank her for all she’s done to bring me into this world and nurture me as her son.  It’s humbling to think how dependent on her care I was as an infant and child.  As an adult, I still count on her in so many ways.  But it’s also easy to forget my humble origins as I’ve become more independent from her.  The reality is that she has been a hero for me then and now.  It’s a humbling reality that I’m inclined to forget from time to time.

In the text from Daniel 4 this week, we see King Nebuchadnezzar brought low in order that he and the world will know that Yahweh God is the true Hero King whose Kingdom has no end.  Some amazing words were proclaimed about Yahweh by King Neb and are worth our time to read and reflect on.  King Neb could not genuinely proclaim these truths about His Hero King without him suffering through extreme humiliation in his life.  In that humiliation, King Neb became aware of his complete dependance on Yahweh for all things he had done and accomplished.

As followers of Christ, we need to remember our humble beginnings in Christ Jesus.  It’s easy to lose sight of our Hero King because of self-righteous arrogance.  Just a few months ago, we were studying Ephesians and we were reminded how we were once dead in our sin BUT GOD who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ.  We are served well when we remember that we are completely dependent on the all-powerful and merciful King Jesus to guide us in His way, His truth and life in His Kingdom.  We are inclined to forget that just as we needed our Hero King to save us from our sin then, we still need Him to save us now.  The reality is that God loves us too much to leave us in our pride and sin and so He moves in ways to get our attention back on Him as our true Hero King and the Giver of all good gifts.  The proof of His Heroic love toward us and the world is shown ultimately through the Son that He sent to dwell on the earth, die on a cross, rise from the dead and ascend into Heaven in order that we might live forever with Him.

May we know the amazing grace of God in our lives today.  May we be humbled as we reflect on all God has done for us in Christ Jesus.  And may our lives glorify His name as He inclines us to live by His Spirit in genuine ways with the heart and mind of Jesus.

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon