Kingdom Disciples

Christ’s reign from the Messianic Throne began following his Death, Resurrection, and Exaltation to God’s presence – Psalms 110:1. The New Testament links Christ’s enthronement to his Resurrection and subsequent Exaltation by applying key Messianic texts to his life. He qualified to reign from God’s “ right hand ” because of his “ obedience until death, even death on the Cross .” This was confirmed when God raised him from the dead and seated him “ at His right hand ” where he now rules over the Universe.

The one like the Son of Man in Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation as the Son of Man and his royal authority . The term “ Son of Man ” is the self-designation found most often on the lips of Jesus. It is derived from Daniel’s vision of the one “ like a Son of Man ” who received the “ dominion and kingdom ” from the “ Ancient of Days .” All the tribes of the Earth will mourn when “ they see the Son of man coming on the clouds of Heaven .”

The conspiracy by the Earth’s kings to unseat the Messiah is applied in the New Testament to the plot to destroy Jesus – Psalm 2:1-6. The Second Psalm is a key passage applied to Jesus multiple times in the New Testament. When were its predictions fulfilled, and is the Messiah reigning now on David’s Throne? Is the world still waiting for his enthronement at a future date? What about the “ revolt ” of nations and kings against the Son of God? Is it a prediction of a coming war between Jesus and earthly governments - (Psalm 2:1-6)?

Jesus is revealed as the Savior of Mankind in his sufferings and self-sacrificial death for others, including his enemies . The inability of men to recognize Jesus as the Son of God until after his crucifixion is a central theme of the  Gospel of Mark . Ironically, the first man to do so is the Roman centurion on duty at his execution. His self-identification as the suffering “ Son of Man ” made him unrecognizable to unregenerate men.  He was the Savior no one expected or wanted .

As they approached Jerusalem, Jesus questioned his disciples:  “ Who do men say that I am? ”  The Gospel of Mark declares that he was “ ON THE WAY ” and does so at least nine times. His unrelenting march to Jerusalem echoed the words of Isaiah the Prophet: “ Behold, I send my messenger before your face who will prepare your way .” He was on the road to Calvary and death on the Cross.

The Gospel of Mark opens with a declaration based on passages in the Hebrew Bible, providing the scriptural basis for the ministry of John the Baptist, and setting the stage for the mission of Jesus. In this way, Mark’s account begins on a note of fulfillment. This man from Nazareth was the Messiah and Savior promised by the God of Israel in the Scriptures.

Jesus is the Anointed Son of God, and from the start, his life was characterized by the empowering presence of the Spirit .  When  an angel  informed  Joseph that  the child carried by   Mary was  “ conceived   of the Holy Spirit ,” it indicated that something more than just a miraculous birth was about to unfold. From the beginning, the activity of the Spirit dominated the life of Jesus of Nazareth.  He was “ Jesus, the one called Christ ,” the “ Anointed One ,” the long-awaited Messiah of Israel.

Following his baptism, the voice from Heaven identified Jesus as God’s Son and the ‘Suffering Servant of the LORD’ . The promises of God are fulfilled  in Jesus of Nazareth,   the Son of God sent to redeem Israel and “ shepherd the nations .” Peter, for example, confirmed he was the “ Messiah ” but failed to understand how he would undertake that role as the ‘ Servant of Yahweh ’ who would “ bear the sins of many .” Christ’s identity and mission were revealed in his death on the Roman Cross.

The  Gospel of Matthew  presents Jesus as the “ Son of David .” In his life and death, he demonstrated what it meant to be the King of Israel. This last designation was linked traditionally to the House of David; but in Matthew, that understanding of the Messiah is altered in unexpected ways. The Greater “ Son of David ” is more than the Ruler of Israel or King over the Nations, for he is the Messiah of a radically different kind, the “ Servant of Yahweh .”

The introduction to the Gospel of Matthew declares that Jesus is the “ Son of Abraham ,” the descendant destined to fulfill the covenant promises made by God to the Patriarch, Abraham. His identification as the son of Abraham in Matthew stresses the theme of fulfillment. Through Jesus, the promises become reality.

The promises of God find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. “ IN HIM ,” they find their “ yea ” and “ amen .” The things that were once “ hidden ” are revealed in the life, words, death, resurrection, and exaltation of the Son of God, the one in whom all the shadows and types prefigured in the Hebrew Bible are actualized. All God’s “ mysteries ” are laid bare for all men to see in the Nazarene, especially in his death and resurrection.

Christ’s present reign began with his exaltation to the Messianic Throne following his Death and Resurrection – Psalms 110:1. The New Testament links Christ’s enthronement to his Resurrection and Ascension by applying key Messianic texts to his life. He qualified to reign from God’s “ right hand ” because of his “ obedience unto death .” This was confirmed when God raised him from the dead and seated him “ at His right hand ” where he now rules over the Universe.

According to the Psalmist, the anointed “ Son ” would reign “ on Mount Zion… my holy mount .” As attested by the New Testament, that king is Jesus of Nazareth. His reign over the Earth began following his Resurrection and Ascension. Ever since he has been extending his sovereignty by sending his envoys to the “ uttermost parts of the Earth ” to announce his Gospel to the nations.

In the three synoptic gospels, the term “ Son of Man ” is the self-designation found most often on the lips of Jesus. It is derived from Daniel’s vision of the one “ like a Son of Man ” who received the “ dominion and kingdom ” from the “ Ancient of Days .” According to Jesus, “ All the tribes of the Earth ” will mourn when “ they see the Son of man coming on the clouds of Heaven .”

At the end of his journey, his destination was the Temple in the center of the city.  The next several stories prepare the reader for his final days, A full third of Mark’s gospel account concerns the events of that week that culminate in his death and resurrection. All that preceded his arrival in the city was moving inexorably forward to his arrest, trial, and execution in the city of David and the prophets.

The Transfiguration confirms his status as the Messiah and the necessity for Jesus to suffer before receiving glory - Mark 9:2-13.  In Mark , the Transfiguration begins with the clause “ after six days ,” a link to the preceding story where Peter acknowledges Jesus is the Messiah. In response, Christ explains the true meaning of discipleship. To follow him, a man must “ deny himself and take up his cross ” just as the “ Son of Man ” did.

All four gospel accounts apply the same passage from the Book of Isaiah to John the Baptist, the messenger who summoned men to repent “ for the remission of sins ” in preparation for the Messiah. The passage identifies John as the forerunner who was expected before the “ Day of the LORD ” - “ The voice of one crying, in the wilderness, prepare the way of the LORD ” - (Isaiah 40:3-5).