God in the Flesh Will Come Again
Part 3 of the Messiah Series: The King Who Will Judge the Living and the Dead
In our first message, we explored the sign of the manger—how Jesus was born in a barn so we would know He is lowly enough to relate to us, willing to step into our mess and meet us wherever we are. From the manger to the cross, He embraced reproach for our sake.
In our second message, we followed the Magi—men of influence and greatness who left everything behind because a star proclaimed the arrival of a King powerful enough to give their lives new direction and purpose. Their gifts, submitted to Him, took on eternal significance.
Now we arrive at the culmination: this One who is both humble in origin and royal in nature—He will come again. And when He does, He comes as Judge.
Born a Child, Given as a Son, Crowned as King
The prophet Isaiah declared:
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." — Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)
This child, announced by angels to shepherds, was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger. Yet the same child drew wise men from distant lands who fell before Him in worship:
"They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." — Matthew 2:11 (NLT)
A child in a feeding trough. A king worshiped by sages. Both realities exist in one person.
Two Kings, Two Responses
This infant king posed such a threat that Herod—the reigning monarch—trembled and schemed to destroy Him. The unrighteous fear what they cannot control.
At the end of Jesus's earthly ministry, another king entered the story. Pontius Pilate, representing the power of Rome, asked the question that echoes through history:
"Are you the king of the Jews?" — John 18:33 (NLT)
Jesus answered with words that reframe everything we think we know about power:
"My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." — John 18:36 (NLT)
Pilate challenged. Pilate questioned. Pilate ultimately washed his hands of the matter.
But there was another witness that day—not a king, but a criminal. Dying on a cross beside Jesus, this man saw what Pilate could not. His final words were a prayer of faith:
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." — Luke 23:42 (NLT)
A dying thief recognized what the powerful missed: this was no ordinary man. This was the King who determines eternity.
The Wounded Healer, The Righteous Judge
Isaiah revealed the Messiah in layers. In chapter 9, a child born. In chapter 53, a wounded healer:
"But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." — Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)
But Isaiah didn't stop there. In chapter 63, we see something different—the righteous judge coming in retribution:
"Who is this who comes from Edom, from the city of Bozrah, with his clothing stained red? Who is this in royal robes, marching in his great strength? 'It is I, the LORD, announcing your salvation! It is I, the LORD, who has the power to save!'" — Isaiah 63:1 (NLT)
The same One who was pierced for our healing will return to judge the earth in righteousness.
My Lord and My God
After the resurrection, Thomas—the doubter—encountered the risen Christ. When he touched the wounds in Jesus's hands and side, his response was immediate:
"My Lord and my God!" — John 20:28 (NLT)
Kurios. Theos. The words reserved for God alone. Thomas understood: this resurrected One is entirely unlike any natural king. He is the firstfruits of the resurrection—glorified, perfected, and holy. He is God in the flesh.
The Kingdoms of This World
The book of Revelation pulls back the curtain on what is to come:
"The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever." — Revelation 11:15 (NLT)
And when He reigns, all nations will stand before Him:
"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." — Matthew 25:31-32 (NLT)
This is the reality we're invited to embrace: Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead. All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him.
Three Truths, Three Promises
As we conclude this series, consider what we've discovered about the Messiah:
He is lowly and approachable. The manger tells us He will meet us in our mess. The promise: He will heal us today.
He is King. The Magi teach us to submit our gifts, our influence, our very lives to His lordship. The promise: He will give us purpose.
He is the righteous Judge. The throne awaits, and every knee will bow. The promise: Those who submit to Him will be rewarded in eternity.
He was worshiped by shepherds. He was sought by wise men. He was feared by unrighteous kings. He testified to His own deity. Thomas declared it. The thief believed it. And one day, every eye will see it.
The Messiah came. The Messiah is coming again.
The question remains: How will you respond to the King?
This is Part 3 of the Messiah series.
