A Royal Parable
Soren Kierkegard, the Danish theologian, told a story about a certain kingdom where there was a handsome prince, searching for a woman worthy enough to be his wife and to become queen of the land. One day while running an errand for his father, he passed through a poor village. As he glanced out the window of his carriage, his eyes fell on a beautiful peasant maiden.
During ensuing days, he often passed by the young lady and soon fell in love with her by sight. But he had a problem. How could he seek her hand?
He could command her to marry him, but the prince wanted someone who would marry him out of love, not coercion. He could show up at her door in his splendid uniform in a gold carriage, drawn by 6 horses, attendants in tow, and bearing a chest of jewels and gold coins. But then how would he know if she really loved him or if she was just overawed and overwhelmed with his splendor! Finally he came up with another solution.
He stripped off his royal robes, put on common dress, moved into the village, and got to know her without revealing his identity. As he lived among the people, the prince and the maiden became friends, shared each others’ interests, and talked about their concerns. By and by, the young lady grew to love him for who he was and because he had first loved her.
The True King Comes For His Bride
This is exactly the story of the Gospel. The Prince of Peace Himself, Jesus Christ, laid aside the robes of his glory, garbed himself as a peasant, became a human being, and moved into our village to woo us (His Bride, the Church) to himself.
Both the one who makes us holy and those who are being made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers (Hebrews 2:10-13). The early Christians sung about their great King’s humiliation in a great hymn which is recorded in Phil. 2:6-11.
(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.
Who wouldn’t want to serve a King like this? He is the true Lord of the universe? Let us worship Him with awe and thanksgiving!
QOTD: Are you a follower and worshiper of the True King?