A King Is Born

Though presidential elections are often decided upon by the people as we are being reminded of during this 2012 election court case in the Supreme Court, we still have royal monarchs where a king is born by lineage, right and authority to take his rightful place and rule a given territory.

A few days ago a king was to be born and his arrival late so the world waited outside his hospital doors. The press, camera men and well-wishers camped outside his hospital for days; newspapers regularly updated their online webpages with the latest information of what was going on around the hospital, it was fever pitch worldwide-the king was coming and his arrival late!

Two days ago on the 22ndJuly 2013 he was finally born in London's private St. Mary's Hospital weighing 8 pounds and 6 ounces. His father His Royal Highness William of Cambridge was present when his wife Her Royal Highness Catherine of Cambridge gave birth to a future king.

As London's Telegraph describes his first appearance outside the hospital 'out he came to meet the world in a storm of flashbulbs and cheering. Swaddled in white, he lay in the arms of his proudly beaming mother; at her side, beaming just as proudly, his father.'

A similar birth took place over 2000 years ago and when the time came for the baby to be born, she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2, 6-7)

This was a baby that was going to change the world as we knew it, though his announcement into the world was with a little less fan fare than an electronic press release to the royal Twitter feed and websites, and further proclamations from every TV and computer screen in the free world and beyond followed by an embroided paper announcement with a Palace letterhead on a gilded easel at the palace front gates within 24 hours of his birth.

Instead, there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' (Luke 2, 8-10)

In truth this king grew up having no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53, 2-4)

However we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4,15)

Jesus ultimately came to teach us that there has been no temptation that has taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10: 13)

Jesus was born by lineage, right and authority to have dominion worldwide in life and death.

In fulfilment of his purpose a king of kings was born with no earthly wealth, no position in the world's eyes, laughed at and mocked as an imposter, only started his ministry at 30 (Luke 3,23) and historians estimate he died around the age of 33. He left behind our comforter in the holy spirit and a guidebook on how to survive this thing called life.

He is a King whose territory is still being built worldwide despite the reluctance of his inhabitants who are refusing to take up the challenge to turn from their wicked ways. Yet if his people, who are called by his name, will humble themselves and pray and seek his face and turn from their wicked ways, then he will hear from heaven, and he will forgive their sin and will heal their land-2 Chronicles 7:14