So much more.

That’s what I keep thinking about Jesus.

He was so much more than anyone could have hoped or even dreamed of.

When Jesus was born just over 2000 years ago, God’s people were waiting for a king.
They longed for someone to rise up as a political leader and take back the throne, freeing them from Roman rule. They yearned for a king like David, who would be a mighty warrior and build up a rich kingdom.

But God, in his goodness, sent them so much more.

Jeremiah 23:5 proclaims:
“For the time is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land.”

That prophecy was written about Jesus before he was even born. He would be a good and fair king like the world had never seen- always doing what is right and just. The people were waiting for him to arrive.

But he would be so much more!

When he came to earth, he humbly gave his life for us, dying on a cross.

Matthew 27:27-31 describes his kingly sacrifice:
“Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment.
They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter.
Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it.
When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.”

No other king but Jesus. He paid the ultimate price for us, dying so that we could be made right with God.

And he is so much more!

Jesus conquered death, rose from the grave and he now lives in heaven, reigning forever at the right hand of the Father. All of heaven and earth will worship him as King for all of eternity! There will be no end to his goodness for his people.

Revelation 5:11-14 explains:
“Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered- to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

He is so much more! Amen.

This Christmas, I invite you to worship and praise the King of all kings for being so much more than we could have dreamed or hoped for. He loves you with a love like no other- giving his life so you could experience his goodness forever.

Mint.