2. What makes the Kingship of Jesus different from any other than ever has been or ever will be? Obviously, there are many answers to this question. We will focus on just a couple: The Virgin Birth- Jesus was “born to be King,” but not like others of whom the same has been said. The Nature of His Kingship- He is a different kind of King, and thus reigns differently than any other potentate. Timber land Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008

3.  As adults, we’ve heard, read, and studied many times the gospel accounts of:  the announcement to Mary and Joseph of the coming King that would be born to them, Luke 1:32-35;  the visit of the wise men, Matt.2:1-2;  Herod’s plot to find the would-be king, Matt.2:3-12;  the families’ escape to Egypt, Matt.2:13-15;  and Herod’s murderous attempt to slay Jesus to prevent Him from becoming King, Matt.2:16-23.  So instead of concentrating on these aspects, let’s consider more closely Jesus’ entrance into the world over which He would rule, and the rule itself of the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Timberland Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008

4.  To my knowledge, there is but one prophecy that predicted the “virgin birth” of Jesus.  Isaiah 7:14 reads, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”  You’re well-familiar with the future application of this passage to the N.T., but do you have any idea of the specific context and immediate application of it? What did it mean to Ahaz (King of Judah, 735-715 B.C.)? Timberland Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008

5.  Ahaz has refused to join Rezin (king of Aram/Syria) and Pekah (king of Israel) against the Assyrians who had subjugated most of the Near East. cf. Isa.7:1-9  For this refusal, Rezin and Pekah marched against Judah with the intent of overthrowing the Davidic lineage on the throne in Jerusalem.  To convince Ahaz that such would not occur, Isaiah was sent to him with the invitation for him to ask for a sign from God as assurance.  Ahaz refused to ask for a sign, saying he did not want to “test” the Lord. Timberland Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008

6.  Despite Ahaz’s reluctance, Isaiah proceeded to give him a sign from God anyway.  Isa.7:14 is the sign given Ahaz to assure the continued existence of the David’s lineage on the throne of Jerusalem.  This prompts an important question: How does the virgin birth of Jesus 700 years later assure Ahaz that Rezin and Pekah would not soon destroy the Davidic line on the throne of Judah? Consider the following briefly:  Prophecies often have immediate and future fulfillments, cf. Gen.3:15 and 2Sam.7:12-16.  For Ahaz, if there was going to be a sign so significant that only God could give it (i.e. a virgin birth), then he was assured that at least until such sign, his own descendants (of the Davidic line, rather than those of Tabeel, cf. Isa.7:6) would continue on the throne.  Thus, the threat of an overthrow and subsequent dynastic change would be unrealized. Ahaz, and his eventual heir, Hezekiah, would continue on the throne of David! Timberland Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008

7.  As both Gen.3:15 and 2Sam.7:12-16 had both immediate and future fulfillments, so does Isa.7:14. All point to Jesus Christ the King of kings and Lord of lords!  A contemporary of Isaiah, Micah wrote of this Ruler to come. Micah 5:2, “One will go forth for Me to be a ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” Micah is speaking of the preexistence of this particular king- He would be eternal. And how would this king, of all those of the Davidic line who ruled after Ahaz/Hezekiah, be identified? He, unlike any other, would be “born of a virgin”! Timberland Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008

8.  There had been kings of the lineage of David on the throne of Israel for 1,000+ years.  But this king, though of the family of David, would not emanate from him. Both Joseph and Mary were descended from David, cf. Matt.1:6ff and Lk.3:31. But Jesus would be born of Mary (of the family of David) and the Holy Spirit (of the family of God), Matt.1:20; Gal.4:4! Thus, the virgin birth of Jesus combined, for the first and only time, God and Man into the Perfect King as fulfillment of all these prophecies! Col.2:9-10 Timberland Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008

9.  This King came into the world like no other, and His rule would likewise be like no other.  Israel had long ago rejected God’s rulership over them for an earthly king, 1Sam.8:4-7.  Since that time (around 1043 B.C.), they had been ruled by a succession of men.  Some were good and godly, and some were patently wicked. All had ruled over the physical people of God as a monarch- leading the army, making laws, executing the government, and judging the people, but had done so with obvious human limitations. Timberland Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008

10.  How so?  He leads a spiritual Army which fights with divinely powerful weapons for the capturing of the hearts of men to the obedience of Christ, Eph.6:10-20; 2Cor.10:3-7. This King always wins!  He is the sole author of all spiritual Law of His Kingdom and no one can alter or repeal them, for they abide forever, Matt.4:23; Luke 16:16; Heb.9:15ff; Jas.1:25; Gal.1:6-9; 1Pet.1:23-25; John 12:47-48. His laws are perfect!  He is the spiritual Executive Head of His kingdom and all things pertaining to it, John 18:37; Eph.1:18-23. This King is a benevolent Dictator!  He is the spiritual Judge of all mankind, John 5:22-27; Acts 10:38-42; 17:31; 2Tim.4:1. His judgments are righteous altogether! Timberland Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008

11.  He combined the offices of King and Priest, Zech.6:10-13 > Heb.7:11-28. He ever lives to make sacrifice for us.  He was/is the only Judge to pay the redemptive price of the guilty, Heb.9:11-14; 1John 2:1-2. He paid the death-penalty of sin for us. Timberland Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008

12.  I hope we now see a more mature perspective of the “virgin birth” of Jesus Christ.  Perhaps we understand more fully how important it was and is to the fulfillment of prophecy and to His Kingship.  It is my sincere hope and prayer that better comprehending His entrance into this world as the perfect combination of God and Man uniquely qualifies and enables Him to be the “King of kings, and Lord of lord”!  I further hope that you can sing “King of my life I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be” with fuller appreciation and deeper commitment because of our time together in this study of God’s Word. Timberland Drive Church of Christ VBS 2008