The following blog is part of an Advent series called “Why Jesus Came,” a collection of devotionals exploring different reasons Jesus came to Earth. Sign up here to receive daily devotionals this Advent season.
“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.’” -Luke 1:30-33
A virgin, teenage girl had a night that likely made her head spin. First, a heavenly being paid her a visit. Second, this angel told her she would conceive a child, even though she wasn’t yet married and had never been with a man. Third, the baby she would conceive would reign as King over Jacob’s descendants.
The people of Israel had long awaited the promised Messiah who would restore the nation’s glory. But the reign of this King, Jesus, would be unlike any king before Him.
Christ’s Kingdom would not include overthrowing the Roman Empire or establishing earthly dominance. It wouldn’t be bound by geographical borders or political systems. Instead, Jesus’ reign would transform hearts and establish God’s rule over the Earth. Rather than ruthless conquest, Christ’s reign would be characterized by love, mercy, and sacrificial leadership.
And Jesus’ reign would not be limited by time. The child in Mary’s womb would establish a Kingdom that would last forever. All earthly kingdoms rise and fall, except the Kingdom of Jesus. His is the only one that still stands today—and it continues to advance toward eternity.
This was not the kind of Kingdom that Israel was expecting. The Jews—oppressed by the Romans—wanted a confident leader with military prowess. Jesus knew this and avoided their attempts to make Him a warrior or political king (John 6:15). Instead, God sent a baby born to an unwed, poor, teenage girl. Jesus was not the earthly king they wanted, but He is the spiritual King they needed more than they could ever know.
Many in the world today still look to an earthly ruler to save them. Little do they know that all rulers today will one day bow to the one true King.
“‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.’” -Revelation 11:15
