Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NLT
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else. Matthew 6:33 NLT
The Old Testament prophets told of the King who would come whose authority, power, and scope stretched the imagination. Zechariah 9:10 said this King’s reign would be over the whole earth. No one could conceive of such a king because their kings were always fighting and looking to conquer. But the King they described was Jesus, the one Micah prophesied in Micah 5:2-4. The little town of Bethlehem, not known for greatness, would be the birthplace of a King whose greatness would extend to the ends of the earth and last forever.
We already see that the prophecies have been fulfilled to a great extent now. A baby born in a manger to poor, unknown parents and grew up to be rejected by His own people, then die on a cross was an unlikely candidate for Kingship at all, let alone to be the last and the greatest forever King. A King with a Kingdom so vast it welcomes all who respond in faith to the King. His resurrection in power and return to heaven with a promise to come again established that His reign is bigger than time and space.
How do we respond to such a king? Accept His invitation to be His follower. It requires giving up your own ways, surrendering your plans to His loving and superior wisdom. This is not a one-time decision – it’s an ongoing process, requiring a fresh surrender of your life each day. Following Jesus as King means imitating Jesus' life, obeying His commands, and choosing His path over your own. You don’t try to negotiate with Him or veto His Word. Prioritize His Kingdom over your own. It doesn’t mean just sitting around, reading your Bible and praying. Yes, you do that, but seeking the Kingdom truly becomes your way of life. It is the environment in which you live and make daily decisions. You consult God in big and small choices, asking, "What do you want me to do?” You reorder your priorities, putting Jesus and His ways above material wealth, career, anything that vies for your heart. You live with Kingdom values, acting with integrity, love, and forgiveness, reflecting the character of your King in your interactions.
You allow God’s Word to transform your thoughts and attitudes. You trust Him more and more, believing that as you seek Him, all you need will be supplied. He will supply what you need, so you can worry less. You commit yourself to advance His Kingdom in your world by using your gifts to serve others. He is your King, and following Him is the abundant, satisfying life.
- Jesus, I see that accepting your Kingship in my life is not about neglecting responsibilities or denying my desires and needs but about fulfilling them from a place of surrendered faith. I trust Your plan and allow Your reign to guide every part of my life. I know my King will protect and provide for me.