Beholding Baby Jesus As The Most High King

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Luke 1:31-32, ESV

Before Jesus uttered a newborn cry–in fact, before He was even formed by the Holy Spirit within Mary–He had a definite destiny. The angel Gabriel asserted that Mary’s child would embody the very glory of God.

Behind His Name

Gabriel assigns a name that seals the baby’s fate. “Jesus” is from the Hebrew Yeshua meaning “Jehovah saves” (Matthew 1:21). He is the salvation for a world wrecked by sin.

But there’s more. Gabriel goes on to make other critical claims about the child: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”

The Old Testament Scriptures commonly used the name “Most High” for the Lord as a clear expression for His unequaled supremacy and sovereignty. These two words “Most High” convey God’s undeniable omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience. He is the greatest Being in the universe, the One to be exalted above everyone and anything else.

In being called the Son of the Most High, He was deity dwelling upon earth: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, ESV)

The true, holy God of heaven condescending to the lowliest of places. The King of Kings in sight.

Christmas beautifully warms our heart in such a sweet and soft way, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. However, our delight and reverence cannot stop there. It must go beyond feelings to willful submission.

As our Savior, He is also our King.

As Son of the Most High, He deserves ALL of our adoration.

ALL of our affection.

ALL of our days.

He, not us, must be on the throne of our hearts.

Testimony Time

I remember when I was baptized in the ocean as a teenager, that one question from my youth pastor seemed to freeze all the excitement in my heart: The pastor asked: “Do you commit to follow Jesus for the rest of your life?” While I struggled to stand against the slaps of the surf, I considered the weight of his words with awe and trembling.

Jesus was not only my loving Savior, He was to be my trusted Master.

He would not merely define my Sunday activity, the “religion” box on a questionnaire, or my answer for life after death. He was to be my Shepherd, the Voice I followed in hills and valleys of life, the very Substance of who I was and what I did. He would be my Anchor in the waves both now and forever – holding me fast – and in my faith I would never want or ought to let go.

I responded to the pastor, “yes,” knowing there was no turning back, but overjoyed that my Lord was eternally with me. Through His Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit Jesus speaks into my life and over my life, and I daily wish to acknowledge this like the servant-hearted Mary.

The same is true for you, and for anyone in Christ.

In this hectic, holiday season and every other time of the year, may this baby-turned-Savior be “Most High” in your heart.

May we welcome Him to mold us, direct us, humble us, use us for His everlasting Kingdom. He truly will reign forever!

Questions for Your Heart:

1. In the holiday busyness, how can you keep Jesus “Most High” in your mind and heart? Perhaps start your mornings, even only for 5 minutes, with a prayer of surrender and moment in the Word.
2. Are you currently in a place of confusion, unrest, or sin? Remember who your King is. Find peace in His simple, highest command to love Him and love others with all of who you are (Matthew 22:37-40).
3. Are you willing to submit to Jesus, even with the hard teachings of His Word that don’t align with what the world says? Examine your convictions thoroughly to see if He is both your Savior and Lord.

Author: Danielle Munoz from www.livingfreeindeed.com