It’s easy to complain about how bad things are. But a lot of the disorder, division, and despair we see around us can be traced back to the abdication of our roles as kings. To be sure, good kings bring life and order to the realm of their influence. And many false kings are sure to seize the throne and bring chaos and tyranny without the presence and protection of true kings. Our families and society are longing for the return of the king.
Certainly, there are many who occupy thrones of influence. But many of these are like the hireling Jesus speaks about. He does only what is expedient for him, and flees whenever danger comes. Unlike the good shepherd, the hireling does not care about the sheep. Likewise, there are many in positions of power and influence that don’t actually care about the people under them. They’re simply pushing their own agenda regardless of the personal cost to others.
A true king, like the good shepherd, cares for those he leads and is willing to do whatever is necessary to protect and provide for them. Their flourishing is his agenda.
We’re called to be kings, but all too often we’ve deferred our throne to others – be it the false kings of entertainment, government, popular opinion, or even church youth leaders and the like. A false king is not necessarily bad in a moral sense, though this can also be the case. A false king is simply one that doesn’t have a rightful claim to the throne.
And so this is anywhere that we have relinquished the authority given to us and have allowed others to rule in our place. A kingdom cannot be in order when the rightful king is not on his throne. And our homes and communities cannot thrive when run by mere hirelings and not true kings.
In the end, God has given you a realm of influence to bring more life and goodness into the world. And you must not defer your throne to others. Return to your rightful place as king and be a true blessing to all.
