Return of the King

But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!  Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! -- Psalms 80:17-18

Abraham was told that he would be the father of many nations.  His descendants were multiplied and ruled over the Land of Promise, reaching an apex in the reign of Solomon.  Apostasy led to fracture, defeat, and exile, but the children of Abraham continued to be fruitful and many returned to settle back in their homeland.  Meanwhile, the Lord had gone from widening the cone to narrowing it until it came to one young maiden to whom an angel made the most significant announcement in history.  As Paul says, “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, And to offsprings, referring to many, but referring to one, And to your offspring, who is Christ “(Galatians 3:16).

It all comes down to Christ.  Here is the Israel of God, the Prince who “…went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return” (Luke 19:12).  The Lord did indeed go into a far country, into the depths of hell and death, and He returned. 

If we read Luke’s version of the Parable of the Talents, it is a little different, for it includes the detail that the citizens of the country over which this nobleman already ruled, when he had departed to receive his new kingdom, sent a message after him that they did not wish to have him as their lord.  When the man returns, he distributes his favors to the faithful, but he also deals with the rebellious:  But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me (Luke 19:27).  The gentle Jesus, meek and mild.  When judgment fell upon Jerusalem in 70 AD, this parable was at least partially fulfilled. 

That is the bad news.  The Good News is that the Lord lives and reigns today in His kingdom which shall have no end.  Through His death, burial, and resurrection, He offers life to all.  Those who are made alive in Him may be confident that when they call upon Him, He will answer.