In our current series we’ve been going through an old list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism published in 1648. Recently we’ve been looking at how Christ shows he is a king. We saw that Christ’s kingship is demonstrated by his calling a people for him to rule over and by giving his people officers, laws, grace, rewards, corrections, help and protection from enemies. This week I want to show that Jesus is a king because he orders things for his glory.

Leaders of nations receive great honour for their labours. Even if people do not like their leaders, they will usually still submit before them and give them respect.

Jesus also shows his kingship by receiving glory and submission from his people for his work.

The apostle Paul speaks of the submission that Christ’s people demonstrate toward him: ‘You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God'”’ (Romans 14:10-11).

Similarly, Paul writes to the Philippians about the work of Christ and the glory he deserves: ‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father’ (Philippians 2:5-11).

John also tells us in Revelation that he saw such submission to Christ by the creatures and elders: ‘Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped’ (Revelation 5:13-14).

Have you trusted in Christ so that you gladly give him glory and submit to him as king?

Joel Radford, Preaching Elder.