August 23, 2004

THE KING OF ISRAEL

"Nathanael answered and said to Him, 'Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!' " (John 1:49, NKJV).

Becoming acquainted with Jesus is always an exciting experience of immeasurable delight. Nathanael is a typical example. When he met Jesus, he became so excited that in a single breath he greeted his new-found Saviour by three wonderful titles: Rabbi, Son of God, and King of Israel.

Nathanael's unqualified profession of faith in Jesus is reflected in his salutation to Him. Instantly he saw in Jesus the Messiah, the King of Israel, and the Saviour of the world. In this noble confession, Nathanael manifested a supernatural knowledge of Jesus based on his diligent study of the prophecies concerning the Messiah. He recognized Jesus to be the King of Israel and the world's Redeemer. To Nathanael, Jesus was the Saviour-King and the Priest-King who had come to be the Saviour and intercessor of spiritual Israel.

In His confession before Pontius Pilate, Jesus declared, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36, NKJV). The apostle Paul observed that the citizens of Christ's kingdom are those who have been delivered from the "power of darkness and translated... into the kingdom of the Son of His [God's] love" (Colossians 1:13, NKJV). Like Nathanael, let us welcome the King of Israel in our lives today. He wants to be king of our lives forever. Concerning Jesus as the King of Israel, Ellen White wrote: "The King of Israel was the Son of God; and His throne was one day to be established in the earth, and His power to be exalted above all earthly kingdoms."--Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 450.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I pledge my love and allegiance to You as my Saviour and king. Amen.