The King’s Battle

Read: Isaiah 63:1-5

Who is this in royal robes, marching in his great strength? Isaiah 63:1

IN WORD

When the world thinks of Jesus, it pictures the Jesus of a made-for-TV miniseries: misty-eyed, peace-preaching, disillusioned with the religious establishment, and an advocate of a better way. He’s portrayed as a good teacher who was brutally, unjustly crucified—and as an epilogue to the main story, was raised from the dead. He’s an enigmatic prophet and mystic from whom we can learn a lot.

But that’s not a full picture of the Jesus of Scripture. The portrayal is true as far as it goes, but it doesn’t go far enough. It doesn’t capture His role as the incarnate deity who came from heaven to ransom captives. It doesn’t reflect the zeal of His mission or the intensity of His words. It doesn’t depict the epic agenda of a God who decisively confronts a rogue creation and destroys the evil that ravages it. It gives us a lot of information about the Teacher and almost none about the Warrior King.

Scripture portrays the Messiah of God as a powerful, passionate defender of His beloved people. He strides forward in strength, wearing robes of royal authority. Behind the King who rode a donkey into Jerusalem is a Swordsman who rides a warhorse in Revelation. The humble nature of Jesus as He relates to people is backed by the militant nature of the Son of God as He relates to evil. The Savior is not passively sitting in heaven watching the tragedies of earth unfold. He is an active general who is coming against evil in awesome power and devastating precision.

IN DEED

When you get discouraged about life in this world, remember who is in charge. Learn to see behind the scenes. Though evil runs rampant in the circumstances you see, you and your Messiah are partners in power. You can join with Him in the battle and exercise heavenly vengeance on all that His enemies have sown in this world. Never forget that your Savior, meek and mild, is also a zealous warrior robed in splendor. Appeal to His righteous power whenever and wherever you need it.

ADDITIONAL READING: Revelation 19:11

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never sound retreat.

JULIA WARD HOWE