Who is this King of glory?
Christmas is only a few weeks away. While I find it unbelievable, more troubling is the unbelief I see behind the holiday—Holy-day.
But, the birth of Jesus unveiled the Savior to the world. The One promised to rescue us from sin, other gods, the enemy, and even ourselves.
And as always, the heavenly Father kept His promise. God’s Son came to bring the light of heaven to earth. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was born to die. Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name. He is the King of glory.
[bctt tweet=”Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name. He is the King of glory. @FridayKaren #JesusIsKing #Glory” username=”PatHolbrook”]
Yet the phrase, “The King of glory” is only found once in the Bible, in Psalm 24. It’s one of my favorite passages. So, let’s look at the 10 verses of the Psalm for our list of 4 ways to unveil Jesus this Christmas. And not only unveil Him in a more meaningful way in our own heart, but also to present Jesus more fully to those around us and to the world.
1.) Creation unveils the King of glory.
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
(Verses 1-2)
Scripture reveals how Jesus, part of the triune God, participated in creation. John 1:3 says all things came into being through Him. Also, Colossians 1:16 confirms, “For by Him all things were created….”
Even the star announcing the arrival of the Christ-child was created by Him.
[bctt tweet=”Every time we gaze at a sunset, see a glimmer of light shinning through the window, stand in awe at the twinkling of stars or the ebb and flow of the ocean. It reminds us how all of creation unveils the King of #Glory @FridayKaren” username=”PatHolbrook”]
2.) Holiness unveils the King of glory.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.
(Verses 3-4)
The imagery here makes my soul leap and causes me to pause. David knew what it meant to stand in God’s presence. And he knew how sin separated him from God.
The Lord created our souls to desire the ascent up His hill and to stand in His holy place. But it requires we submit to the Lord’s holiness in our lives and allow Him to cleanse us from sin.
“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” 1 John 1:7.
3.) Seeking God unveils the King of glory.
He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
(Verses 5-6)
The Bible encourages us to seek the Lord’s kingdom and righteousness in Matthew 6:33. To pray, seek God’s face, and turn from wicked ways for forgiveness of sin and healing of our land here on earth in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
And Hebrews 11:6 tells us God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
4.) Salvation unveils the King of glory.
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah
(Verses 7-10)
[bctt tweet=”Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Psalm 24:10 #Glory #JesusIsKing @FridayKaren” username=”PatHolbrook”]
Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes the repetitions of phrases in these verses like those in a song.
“The doors and gates are to be thrown open, thrown wide open, to give him admission, for behold he stands at the door and knocks, ready to come in.” Henry further notes the Lord desires to be “welcomed by us.”
The King of glory knocks at the door of our hearts. If we open the door, He comes in (Revelation 3:20). The Lord of hosts came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their hearts and lives.
Which of the 4 ways of unveiling Jesus speaks the most to you? Tell us in the comments.
*Scripture ESV.
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Karen,
Interesting that “King of Glory” is only mentioned once in the Bible. I see the King of Glory all throughout Creation. For me this is a no-brainer. I needed the reminder that if I am going to see and experience The King of Glory, I need to be actively seeking Him and sitting in His presence daily. He knocks on the door or my heart, but won’t barge in. Beautiful reminder.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Hey Bev, I like how you said, the King of Glroy knocks on the door of our heart, “but won’t barge in.” Instead, we decide whether or not to welcome Him. “Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah”
I hadn’t realized this phrase occurs only here. Thanks for unpacking this passage for us.
I didn’t know that either until I studied the phrase, Barbara. I wrote a monologue for Mary, the mother of Jesus, years ago. Sometimes I do the monologue during the Christmas season at our church or if I speak at an event. I use Psalm 27:7-10 toward the end. So I’ve always been enamored with that passage. Merry Christmas!
Sorry, meant Psalm 24. 🙂
I had never realized the phrase only appears one time in Scripture. This was my Grampa’s favorite portion of Scripture and oft quoted to us as kids. For me , it is #2 – Holiness unveils the King of Glory. May I never lose my awe of this >>> “The Lord created our souls to desire the ascent up His hill and to stand in His holy place.” Karen thank you for sharing these beautiful thoughts today. Blessings!
Joanne, love that this was your Grampa’s favorite Scripture. It’s one of mine too. And I agree with your sentiments, to long for God’s presence and desire His holiness in my life . Thanks for commenting!
Whenever I hear that question, I want to respond with the words of Psalm 24!
He’s strong and mighty in battle!
Yes, He is, Michele! “Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah” (Psalm 24:9-10)
I love the imagery of flinging open the doors wide to welcome the King of Glory.
If you think about it, if there is someone at the door we are not crazy about seeing (such as a salesman!), we tend to only open the door half-way. We only open the door wide to usher in someone we want to come in!
Thanks for sharing Ps. 24 with us today.
I like your thoughts on half-way opening the door to someone like a salesman…or maybe not at all…we pretend like we aren’t home! 🙂 But…may we swing open wide the gates of our life and the door of our heart for the King of glory.
Powerful post! laurensparks.net
Thank you, Lauren. I pray we unveil the King of glory this Christmas and year-round.
Karen, I love that title, and it is a wonderful focus to set my mind upon, especially during this season. Thank you for showing us how that aspect is revealed. I hadn’t thought about that before.
Debbie, appreciate your kind comment. Yes, I hope and pray we unveil the King of glory in our wonderment of creation, in holiness by ascending His holy hill, by seeking His kingdom, and in salvation…celebrating our own redemption story and keep opening the doors in our hearts and lives to His glory.
I appreciate these,Karen! Especially the first one!
Thanks, Bethany! Don’t you just love basking and gazing in the majesty of creation and how it unveils and reveals our King’s glory?!
I love this truth about how we see the King! It’s all around us, all the time! What a gift!
Rebecca, thank you. “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!” Psalm 24:7-8
The King of Glory came down to us – if we could truly understand that, we’d be floored every day! What a miracle indeed.
Exactly, Lisa. He left the glory and splendor and riches of heaven to bring heaven and His glory to us! Hallelujah!