It's funny how a single event in history can so dramatically change the future. Here are three examples, not in chronological order, about kings.Edward had a difficult decision to make and a lot to live up to. After all, he came from a long line of royal blood, his father was king and it was he as heir apparent and natural successor who would take his place when he died. So in January, 1936 on the passing of George V, his son was crowned King. However life is never anything but complicated when you're a Royal and love is even more complex. Having fallen in love with Wallis Simpson, wife of an American businessman, he subsequently made known his intentions to marry her after she divorced her husband. As head of the Church of England, the idea of the him marrying a divorcee was frowned upon and despite numerous efforts to resolve the situation, in the end Edward was left with no alternative but to abdicate the throne, which he did in December, having ruled Britain for less than a year. With Edward reduced in title to Duke of Windsor and essentially now out of the country and the picture, his brother George became the sixth king to bear that name. I often think that most of us have grown up with George's daughter, Elizabeth, as our queen, and followed the lives of her four children and their families, but if it hadn't been for a love affair, Charles, Anne, Andrew, Edward and company might never have had anything more than walk on parts in the great drama that is the Royal Family.
Another king began life as an insignificant shepherd boy but one incident in his life was to change him from a walk on part to centre stage. When David felled Goliath, he raised his profile to such an extent that Saul could no longer cope with the adulation he received. That David was God's chosen one is evident from Samuel's visit to Jesse to select a replacement for Saul, for he appeared to be anything but leadership material compared to his brothers. How significant then that God saw something in David that no human eye could ever spot, maybe a lesson there to us all. But once again, love was to destroy him, for his desire for the wife of another man would lead him to murder and eventual fall. Yet, even in the midst of his failure, God did not forget David and his place in history was for ever assured through his writings in the Psalms while his importance in the future was cemented as the direct line of ancestor for the Saviour who was prophesied.
And Jesus began life in a stable, in the most humble surroundings imaginable, amongst people who had never had contact with royalty. His life was ordinary, his friends had no titles and his history on earth was relatively short. But yet again love was to intervene and change the future. Except His love was to cost him more than any earthly kingship for He would pay the ultimate price for his faithfulness, in the loss of His life. Yet it was only through that loss that he could overcome death and the power of Satan and through His rising from the dead would be elevated to the throne of heaven, not simply as another king but King of kings. Don't you get it? There is no greater title than to rule over everyone else who rules. That is the ultimate place of power and authority, that nobody can overcome. John describes Him thus in Revelation, 'They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.'
Royalty? I can take it or leave it. Kings? I'm not bothered. King of kings? Now that's an entirely different matter. And why do we love the King of kings? I leave the last word again to John, 'We love him, because he first loved us.'
