And there was given Him dominion and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:14
The magnificence portrayed in today’s text stands in stark contrast to the life of the Lord Jesus as He dwelt among us. He was born in an insignificant village, the son a poor peasant woman, and grew up in a backwater town of questionable repute. He spent His early adult years working in a carpenter shop. For three years he assembled a band of followers and traveled Palestine as an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book, or held any earthly office, or owned any property. He never traveled far nor consorted with any of the great leaders of His time. He challenged the accepted teachings of His people’s leaders and was condemned by the authorities, who had Him arrested, unjustly convicted, and crucified like a common criminal. Deserted by his followers, one of whom betrayed Him for a pittance, He died alone. His only possessions were His garments, and they were confiscated by His executioners, and even his burial place was borrowed. Could such humility and shameful reproach ever be reversed? Read our text today and see!
We sometimes lose sight of Who our Lord and Saviour is. The meek and lowly Jesus whose feet were dusty with His humble earthly pathway is now exalted to Heaven’s highest rank. Maybe we relate to His humble circumstances because we find ourselves confined to this same rejecting world. But our great Leader and Lord is no longer in the clutches of His tormenters; He is in the glory, receiving the praise and honour of His own. And, although today we remain pent in sinful and failing flesh, we soon shall join Heaven’s chorus of praise and adoration.
To know that the Lord Jesus will someday rule this world in righteousness is a comfort to us, and an encouragement to live for His kingdom now as His ambassadors. We represent the greatest King and the greatest kingdom this world will ever see. We do not have anything to be ashamed of as we take His name and promote His business. Although the world may mock us and speak ill of Him, we know their mockery will be turned to wailing, and their blasphemies be turned to confession of Him as Lord. Be glad that we today submit to His lordship and rejoice in His coming kingdom.
The time described in our text is not apparent to us today, but the certainty of it can lift us out of earth’s dulness into His praise. -Jim MacIntosh