I endeavor to introduce people to the empathic part of Jesus. My hope is that people can connect with Emmanuel, "God with Us," through my writings and witnessing. However, in addition to the compassionate Savior side of Christ, I want people to understand that Our Lord is also sovereign.
On one hand Jesus is the Suffering Servant, the One who embodies the love of God and is God reaching out to us upon the cross. This image is often faceted around my neck, reminding me daily that my sin has been paid for through his propitiation and sacrifice. On the other hand there is Jesus the Sovereign King, the One who balances the scales of Justice and Judgment, the One who sits upon the throne ruling the universe, the Earth, and ordaining our lives.
The Suffering Servant side of the Savior is embraced by many. Its a comfort to be reminded that God so loved us that He suffered and died on the cross to ensure reconciliation and eternal life for us. But we cheat ourselves is we ignore the kingly side of our Lord. I think it is difficult for many to see the Sovereign side of the Savior because they fear it will be like approaching any ordinary monarch, ruler, and authority on earth. The image of a king sitting on this throne, indifference in his eyes, and judgment upon his lips fills the minds of people. But this does not have to be! Our relationship with Christ is not meant to be like relating to an earthly king. Firstly, Jesus is just King and He already paid for your sins, so you have nothing to fear in his presence. Secondly, Jesus says, "'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Revelation 3:21). Does that seem like something a king or ruler of this earth would do?!
Our King is also our Father. Jesus said, "I and the Father are One." (John 10:30). Do fathers, even kingly fathers make their children stand at distance, tremble in terror, and fear judgment at any given second? No. Jesus welcomes us, because We are His children! Actually we are heirs!: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Romans 8:17). We are going to share in God's glory! This is why its important to embrace the King as well as the Sacrificial Lamb side of Christ! For Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! (Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16). As the Lamb Jesus shows us His Great love, compassion, and mercy, as King He shows us power, glory, and justice!
The King and the Kind Servant are One. Jesus is Both the Crucified and the Crowned. He does not have split personality, He is Savior and Sovereign. To the wicked they shall only see wrath from the Sovereign, but to us the believer we see the love of the Savior and the powerful rule of our King! When we look upon the Almighty Ruler we do not shriek in terror, but tremble in reverence; not out of fear, but knowing that our Bridegroom is God and His Glory reminding us of His Greatness!
There is a passage in Revelation where the Apostle John falls before the Lord. It is puzzling upon first inspection because John was called "The Beloved Disciple," the one whom resting on Jesus' chest and was close to Him. But this same man at the sight of Jesus falls "As a dead man,"? (Revelation 1:17). Why? The answer is that John had known Jesus as the Suffering Servant and Constrained to His pre-Risen Body. At this point John is seeing Jesus in his Judge and Ruling State, something not even similar to the Transfigured state He saw in blank. John's body and its fallen nature collapsed before Christ as King, but what did Jesus do? It says, "The Lord went to John, touch him on the arm and said, "do not be afraid." (Revelation 1:17). Oh.. this is powerful for several reasons. Firstly, Jesus is reminding John He's safe and with comfort of touch, Jesus reminds John He is accepted. Then the fact that Jesus says, "do not be afraid," echoes what He said walking on water on Sea of Galilee, and When he appeared blank. The words remind John it is His Lord and Friend.
God doesn't want to scare us and if we Trust Him and His Sacrifice on our behalf, when we see the Sovereign Side of Him we can carry the words, "do not be afraid," in our hearts. For, "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1). We need not fear if our faith is in Jesus Christ, seeing Him as Sovereign. In fact, this is where bridge of His natures come together! If we remember Jesus is the Sacrifice and Suffering Servant, we then know we have assurance of salvation and when we see his Sovereign Side, we can have confidence and embrace his Glorified state without fear. For He promises us, "To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne," (Revelation 3:21) and Paul says, "If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us.."(2 Timothy 2:12). That is the mark of who is intimate, close, and unthreatened and yet loving, trusting, and humble.
God cannot be put in box and while I have given the distinctions of Suffering Servant and Sovereign Savior, Our Lord is not two dimensional or one dimensional. I cannot peg Him to one or two descriptions, but I do know these descriptions are Scriptural and that He shows Himself to us in those ways. I hope that you can come to appreciate Christ in His compassion on the Cross and Christ as Crowned King upon the Throne. The Lamb and the Lion who are One. Do not fear the Lion, but remember you are a lion! Just as the pride of lions; the family of lions are accepted by the male and alpha lion, so you are a lion in the family of God who accepted by the Alpha and Omega.
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