When you read the book of Judges, you see that Israel had no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes. In 1 Samuel, we see the people demanding for a king. Samuel warned the people what would happen if they have a king, but they did not listen.
We see in the Old Testament kings who were honoring God and kings who did wicked things. The people of God did not have a perfect king even those who were obeying God. David was a man after God's own heart yet he committed adultery and murder to cover the affair. As Russ Ramsey wrote, "Israel needed a perfect king."
God sent that perfect King over 2,000 years ago, His Son. Jesus is called the King of Kings in the New Testament and He is the perfect King. He is a better King than all the ones in the Old Testament and those in history.
Jesus is a better King because He will never take advantage of His subjects or go back on His word. He will never change His laws and when we fall short, He forgives us. Jesus is a better King because He does not make empty promises to please a few people. Jesus also died for His subjects in their place for their sins. Kings fight to protect their kingdom, which Jesus does, but Jesus took the punishment of His subjects when other kings would not.
This perfect King has a reign that is not passed down to another. Jesus continues to reign as King even in a world that is full of chaos. He did promise we will have trouble in this world but He has overcome it (John 16:33).
Advent is a time to remember that we have a perfect King that continues to fight for us and even intercedes for us. Advent reminds us that our perfect King one day will consummate His kingdom fully where sin will be eradicated and Satan is vanquished. The first Advent inaugurated the Kingdom and second Advent will bring it into fruition.
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