The King Rejected

The Birth of the King

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1–2)

Although Jesus was born into a poor family, the wise men proclaimed Him to be King. Why did they search for a child born in such an obscure manner? It was because God had revealed to them that He was the King. Without that revelation, they would not have known the birth of a king. In fact, it was not even their king they were searching. Still, they traveled from a distant land and searched until they found Him. Though the star had guided them all along, they turned to their own understanding as they approached the end. Assuming the King would be born in Jerusalem’s palace, they went to King Herod’s court.

If we accept Jesus Christ as our King, we should also seek and worship Him as the wise men did. Do you accept and worship Jesus as your King?

People were worried

How did Herod and the people of Jerusalem respond when they heard Jesus had been born? The Bible says, "When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born." (Matthew 2:3–4)

Why was Herod troubled? Could it have been due to fear of losing his throne? That’s unlikely—he was already old, and Jesus was just a newborn. Perhaps he feared Jesus would take the throne from his sons.

But then, why were the people of Jerusalem also troubled? Was it because Herod might kill the baby Jesus? But the entire nation of Israel had been waiting for the Messiah to appear. So why were they afraid? There was no reasonable explanation.

Even today, many people react to Jesus with fear, anger, or indifference. Why? Because people want to rule their own lives. When the Jesus enters our lives, we must surrender that control to Him. How does this make you feel, knowing what it means to surrender control to Him?

Preparing the way for the King

In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:1–2)

Thirty years after the birth of the King, God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way, preaching that the kingdom of heaven was near. Where there is a kingdom, there must also be a king. John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11)

The one who came after John was Jesus. John declared that Jesus was greater than himself.

Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom

"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people." (Matthew 4:23)

After John the Baptist, Jesus Himself traveled through Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom. This gospel is distinct from the gospel of grace, which has been preached after Christ’s death and resurrection. The gospel of grace is about entering the kingdom of heaven through being born again—it is not about an earthly kingdom.

On the other hand, the gospel of the kingdom is about Christ ruling the world, and repentance is the key to it. This message began with John the Baptist and was continued by Jesus and His disciples. It is no longer preached during the church age but will be proclaimed again during the Great Tribulation.

The King Heals

In the kingdom Jesus will establish, there will be no sickness, no leprosy, and no blindness. The prophet Isaiah said:

“Your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 35:4–6)

He also said: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4–5)

Matthew confirmed this fulfillment: “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.’” (Matthew 8:16–17)

"When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' 'Yes, Lord,' they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith let it be done to you'; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, 'See that no one knows about this.'” (Matthew 9:28–30)

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness." (Matthew 9:35)

By healing the sick, Jesus demonstrated that He was the King and that He would establish His kingdom. Yet the people of Israel did not understand. Many Christians today profess Jesus with their lips but struggle to fully accept Him as their King. This lack of trust and obedience can lead to spiritual and even personal hardships, including physical illness. How about you—have you welcomed the Jesus as King in every area of your life?

The twelve sent out to proclaim the kingdom

Jesus chose twelve disciples and sent them out to proclaim the kingdom He would establish. He instructed them, “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." (Matthew 10:5–8)

The kingdom was to be established among the people of Israel, not among the Gentiles. That is why, when the Canaanite woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter, Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24)

Asked to pray for the establishment of the Kingdom

Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.’” (Matthew 6:9–13)

Christ taught His disciples to pray in this way. However, because His people did not accept Him as King, the full establishment of His kingdom was postponed and will be fulfilled in the future thousand-year reign known as the Millennial Kingdom. Today, Christians continue to pray for God's kingdom to be established, yet the world grows increasingly dark. People ask for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, even as many live in open rebellion against that very will. At present, even those who do not seek God for daily bread often have more than enough. But during the Great Tribulation, unless God provides, there will be nothing.

However, in the model prayer Christ gave, the words ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name’ form a prayer that can rise from the hearts of believers in every generation — including then and now.

John Doubts

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. (Matthew 11:2–6)

Why did John ask this question? He had faithfully prepared the way for Jesus, but once in prison, doubt seemed to creep in. Jesus didn’t rebuke him—instead, He pointed to the miracles He was performing, clear signs that He truly was the promised King. John, who knew the words of Isaiah, would recognize the message behind those signs.

And what about you? Do you ever wrestle with doubts about the Lord Jesus?

They doubted the King

"Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Matthew 12:22–28)

Although Jesus had proved through miraculous signs that He was the long-awaited King of Israel, the Pharisees rejected Him. They accused Him of using the power of Beelzebub to cast out demons. They knew that if they acknowledged Jesus as King, then the time had come for the kingdom to be established—and they were not ready.

To be anointed as King

After three and a half years of ministry, the Jesus went up from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem to be anointed as King.

"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Matthew 21:1–9)

As Jesus rode down from the Mount of Olives toward Jerusalem, the crowd welcomed Him with deep reverence. Some laid their garments on the road—a powerful act of honor and recognition of Him as King. Others, who may not have had garments to offer, laid down palm branches instead. In that culture, laying garments was considered a greater sign of respect than laying branches. Today, when heads of state arrive, we roll out the red carpet. In their own way, the people were giving Jesus the royal treatment He deserved.

They did not recognize the King

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10–11)

Although the people who followed Him recognized Him as King, the city did not. Their question— “Who is this?” —revealed their ignorance and lack of recognition. This shows they did not accept Him as King.

They were angry with the King

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. 16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” 17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night. (Matthew 21:12–17)

When Jesus entered the temple, the opposition only grew stronger. The priests and scribes, rather than welcoming Him or acknowledging Him as their King, rejected Him. They were disturbed by how the common people embraced Him with such joy and honor. Sadly, that kind of reaction still happens today. Some professing Christians become uneasy or even upset when others wholeheartedly accept Jesus, experience real transformation, and boldly share their faith. Instead of rejoicing, they respond with jealousy, suspicion, or even exclusion. Some new believers are even pushed out of churches.

If you find yourself responding that way, take a moment to reflect—are you reacting more like the priests and scribes than like a follower of Christ?

People of Jerusalem did not see Jesus

“For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23:39) When will the people of Jerusalem see the Lord Jesus again? It will be when they finally say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Only when Jesus returns as King after the Great Tribulation will His people truly accept Him.

Why do so many people today struggle to understand the truth? Why do they go through life without experiencing the help and presence of the Lord Jesus? Often, it's because they’ve accepted Him with their lips, but not with their hearts.

So let me ask you—how have you accepted the Lord Jesus? With your words only, or with your whole heart?

Kingdom delayed

“A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.” (Luke 19:12)

“it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.” (Matthew 25:14)

In these parables, a man of noble birth or king refers to Jesus Himself. The “far country” is heaven, and “returning to his own country” refers to the land of Judah. The phrase “to have himself appointed king” shows that since the leaders of Judah did not accept Him as King, He would receive the kingdom from God the Father in heaven instead. 

Jesus taught that because He was not accepted as King, He would not establish the kingdom at that time. Instead, He would ascend to heaven and return later as King to establish and rule His kingdom. At the Last Supper, He told His disciples, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29) “My Father’s kingdom” refers to the coming millennial reign—a thousand years when Christ will rule.

Confirmed being the King

Later, when Pilate asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” (Matthew 27:11) Though the priests and scribes denied it, Jesus confirmed it before Pilate. In fact, that confession could have served as a legal basis for Pilate to act against Jesus. But because Judea was under Roman rule, only Caesar had the final say. Still, Pilate found no fault in Him.

Killing the King

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified (Matthew 27:24–26).

Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS (Matthew 27:37).

Why did Pilate call Him the King of the Jews? Because Jesus wasn’t accepted by His own people. In his own way, Pilate was admitting something the nation refused to believe—that Jesus really was their King.

Do you accept Jesus as your King?

If you truly accept Jesus as your King, you must listen to Him—not just once, but continually. Is there clear evidence in your life that you recognize His authority? Are you submitting to His rule? It is not enough to simply know about Christ. Only by receiving Him as your King—and surrendering to His reign—will you truly experience the life He offers.