Clothes make the man!  Admittedly a shallow mantra.  And utterly inadequate for any evaluation of another’s strength, intellect, potential, or value.  Yet every young boy knows that he feels taller, stronger, more courageous when he puts on his grandpa’s old Navy jacket or straps on his replica broadsword and ventures forth to save kingdoms and slay dragons.  And who does not feel more confident when dressed up in Sunday best?  Who among us is not struck with a sense of gravity and respect when a young man appears in uniform rather than civies?

King Theoden of Tolkien’s Rohan was under the spell of despair.  His unfaithful counselor Grima, Wormtongue counseled inaction, hesitation, and isolation as prudence in every conflict.  And Theoden becomes less and less of a King and less and less of a man.  When Gandalf comes to call Theoden to action, he declares.

It is not so dark here, nor does age lie so heavily on your shoulders as some who have you think.  Perhaps your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped a sword hilt.

The Two Towers, J. R. R. Tolkien

A leader, a king is called to be a man of action.  He is no mere figurehead.   Modern kings do little to inspire the courage and hope of their people.  They often become mere symbols.  Their biographies often little more than the national soap opera.  Donning the dress of businessmen or men of leisure, they no longer join the cast boyhood’s heroic play. 

If a child today pretends to be a king, he must reach back to a time when kings led with gracious, selfless, heroic power.  Such kings of old were not made by their regalia, rather their garb and gear appeared glorious because of their kingly bearing and deeds.  Because they were men of love and valor.  We now say ‘clothes make the man.’  But it may be more accurate to say, ‘the man makes the clothes.’

Such was the kingship of Jesus.  The prophet Isaiah foretold that, “he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2)   And during the public trial and execution of Jesus, despite “his appearance [being] so marred beyond human semblance and his form beyond that of the children of mankind,” Pilate repeatedly declares him to be a King.  And thus, even the mockery of the wicked often declares the truth of God and the glory of Christ.

Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Our catechism rightly asks and answers.

26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
Christ executes the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Nowhere is Jesus’ kingship displayed more powerfully than in the Gospel accounts of his arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection.  As he faces an unjust arrest, trial, and execution, he is not a failed revolutionary swept up in the unstoppable tide of Roman tyranny and religious jealousy.  But Jesus is in complete control of everything that unfolds. Here is the King going to war, saving his people, ruling and defending them, and restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.  He takes the initiative, engages his enemies, and destroys the dominion of the devil. 

Earlier he had told the disciples.

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.

John 10:17-18

What, to the casual observer, might look like the unraveling of a lost cause is, in fact, the King going to war. Laying down his life to take it up again in victory. And destroy the works of the devil. Delivering captives from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Father’s beloved Son.

Join us as we examine John 18:1-32 and consider King Jesus going to war to subdue us to himself, to rule and defend us, and to restrain and conquer all His and our enemies. We meet each Lord’s Day on the square in Pottsville, right next to historic Potts’ Inn at 10:30 am for worship. Get directions here or contact us for more info. Or join us on Facebook Live @PottsvilleARP or YouTube.