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. We’ve also seen that Jesus is a king because he orders things for his glory. This week I want to show that Jesus orders things not only for his own glory, but also for the good of his citizens.

Although it is true that our earthly leaders usually work for their own glory, only a terrible leader would not also work for the good of their people.

It is the same with Jesus Christ. Although he does indeed get glory from his labours as king, the Scriptures teach us that Christ’s work is also for our good.

The apostle Paul in one of the greatest series of verses in Scripture proclaims: ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified’ (Romans 8:28-30).

And in another place Jesus confirms that his people have glory even now. In his prayer to the Father Jesus says: ‘I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me’ (John 17:22-23).

What a marvellous truth! Jesus works not only for his own glory, but for our glory too. As citizens of the kingdom we are all glorified citizens.

This means that no matter what troubling and difficult circumstances you may be going through, King Jesus is sovereignly working for your good. You may not understand exactly how things are going to work out for your good, but you can trust that your all-knowing king knows exactly what he is doing.

So have you repented of your sins and trusted in Christ’s death for you so that Jesus is your king? Do you share in Christ’s glory along with other members of the kingdom? Is Jesus working all things for your glory even now?

Joel Radford, Preaching Elder.