It's a Boy . . . Born to be King

“You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came in to the world, to testify to the truth.”

John 18:37

Good morning ladies. I’ll have to admit, the British royals still pull on my heart strings. After all, Elizabeth II became queen when I was an impressionable eleven-year-old in Canada. So my ears perked up this summer as the due date for William and Kate’s baby drew near. Even the stoic Brits had royal-baby fever. The streets outside St. Mary’s hospital were lined with the curious, awaiting the announcement.

The proud dad called family immediately. Four hours later the Town Crier, in traditional gear, stood on the hospital steps with the official proclamation in hand. Simultaneously it was posted on a gilt easel outside Buckingham palace. On cue the bells of Westminster rang out and Trafalgar’s fountain turned blue. It’s a boy! Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge had arrived. According to royal lineage, this child was born to be king.   

The birth of a king should be heralded. It surely was a spectacular sight in the Bethlehem fields that night long ago, as the sky lit up and the heavenly host praised God with the good news: a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). I can only imagine! However, I am certain nothing could compare, not a blue fountain nor a Town Crier nor even the pealing of church bells.   

Yet only the shepherds were privy to heaven’s glorious announcement. Unlike wee Prince George, Jesus would slip into humanity absent royal fanfare, despite Israel’s long anticipation of a Messiah. Isaiah, for one, prophesied: He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever (Isaiah 9:7).

In 1917 King George V adopted the House of Windsor as the official name for the royal family. Technically someone from the family will be on the British throne forever. Does Queen Elizabeth hold royal sway? Does she testify to the truth? As much as she might like to, her influence is mainly ceremonial. Britain is ruled by its parliament.

It is only God’s Son who was born to be King of kings. Only His Kingdom will be eternal.  Only Jesus can testify to the truth. Only He claims to be Truth (John 14:6)!   

Nancy P