The Father Rejected
The mere thought of it is painful. Experiencing it is humiliating. Who wants to be discarded like last week’s leftovers. Rejection is always difficult to accept. More so when we are rejected by family. But our children? Those we gave life to. Those we nurtured. Those we protected when they were vulnerable. We expect them to leave the nest, but rejection? Painful enough if it happens to fallen men. Unthinkable when it happens to a perfect God. But that is what Israel did. Despite the fact that God chose them out of all the nations and placed His favor on them. Leading them out of Egypt, feeding and guiding them. He was their protection. They were the apple of His eyes. They were discontent. They wanted “more”. They wanted a king like the other nations.
When the elders of Israel presented their demand for a king to Samuel, he was very displeased. Samuel warned the elders of the dangers. He warned them of the consequences. It is inevitable, a king will fail you. You will lose your sons. You will lose your daughters. Not enough? He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards. Wait. There’s more. He will take the tenth of your grains and vineyards. He will take our male and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys and put them to his work. Still not done. He will take the tenth of your flocks and YOU shall be his slaves!! Do you really want to sacrifice everything for a king?
For emphasis, Samuel gives one final warning, “And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day” (1 Samuel 8:18). The response; “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles” (1 Samuel 8:19b-20). Rejected.
Replacements?
You know the story. It’s not a good one. Saul was the first king. Handsome. Tall. Hiding in the baggage. Offered an unlawful sacrifice. Made a rash vow. Consulted a medium. Rejected by God for disobedience. He transgressed God’s command because he feared the people. Bad start. How about David? Brought down Goliath with his sling. Mighty warrior. Things were looking good. Then came Bathsheba & Uriah. Adultery and murder don’t look good on any leader’s resume. Too many family issues ensued. Next! Solomon. Man of wisdom. Great builder. Peaceful reign. Too many foreign women and their gods. After Solomon the kingdom becomes divided. The bondage and human sacrifices are appalling. But God warned them. God’s chosen people were not only discontent, they were deluded. God sent them prophets. For the most part, the people scoffed at them. From time to time, a “good” king would come along and try to reverse the damage, but a band-aid doesn’t do much good when open heart surgery is needed. God kept reaching out. More prophets were sent. The people didn’t heed. God’s children ended up in slavery, just as they had been warned. Now God was silent. For over four hundred years.
The Son Rejected
And then a baby’s cry broke the silence. The cry of the True King. The cry of a Savior. The God they rejected was back in human flesh. The “lowly” shepherds came and worshiped. The wise men also came and worshiped Him. Certainly now that they were desperate the Israelite’s would embrace their Messiah! Rejected. Instead of the Elders pressing Samuel, it was the religious leaders pressing Pilate. Away with this fraud. Give us Barabbas!
Instead of a throne, Jesus hung on a cross. God in human flesh. Rejected. The cross is no place for a king, unless that King is also a Savior. When Israel asked for a king, Samuel warned they would sacrifice everything to their kings. When Jesus came, He sacrificed everything for His people. He laid down His life for them. The crown of thorns on His brow is proof of His love and sacrifice. No other king has ever worn such a crown. Jesus is no ordinary king.
Ruler of All
Jesus isn’t finished. He is coming back. No king will be able to stand before Him.
When Jesus opens the sixth seal, the kings of the earth will hide in caves and beg for death, “Calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Jesus.
When Israel rejected God, they told Samuel they wanted a king to “judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
“Then I saw heaven opened , and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood and the name by which He is called is the Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of king and Lord of lords.” – Revelation 19:11-16
One crown to rule them all. The crown of thorns. Forged in the pits of hell. Twisted and contorted with every sin. With Adam’s sin the ground was cursed to bring forth thorns and thistles; Hell’s materials for the ruling crown. The crown only Jesus was qualified to wear. A sinless Savior bearing the sins of the world. A Lord and King we desperately need. At the end of time He will be the last King standing. Don’t be discontent. Don’t be deluded. Don’t reject Him.
“For it is said in old lore, ‘The hands of the king are the hands of a healer.’ And so the rightful king could ever be known.” J.R.R. Tolkien-Lord of the Rings