Jesus is Lord

“The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his

Christ and he shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).

Psalm 2 is quoted or alluded to at least sixteen times in the New Testament. I believe a case can be made that it is the favorite psalm of the early church! 

The first Christians believed that it helped them to understand who Jesus was and why he came. I like to imagine that this was the psalm most often memorized and that it was used repeatedly in corporate music.

I picture the first Christians tucking their children in bed at night quoting these words:    

Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.“Let us break their chains,”they cry,“and free ourselves from slavery to God.” But the one who rules in heaven laughs.The Lord scoffs at them. Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. For the Lord declares,“I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,    the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’”

Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him! (Psalm 2, NLT).

The psalm begins with a rhetorical question: “Why are the nations so angry?” The author is making a point rather than seeking an answer. He is bewildered that anyone in their right mind would rebel against God’s anointed Messiah! To refuse to bow in submission before your king is not only sinful – it’s stupid! 

And yet, throughout history many have brazenly declared, “We do not want this man to reign over us” (see Lk. 19:14 ESV).  He who sits in heaven laughs at such lunacy, and then “in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury” (v. 5).    

When one examines the contents of this psalm, it becomes obvious why the first Christians loved it so much.  It shaped the way they thought about Jesus. It defined how they lived and how they preached the gospel.  In contrast to the sweet, sentimental Jesus of the modern church, this psalm introduces us to a majestic, conquering Jesus. This psalm tells us that:

1. Jesus is a sovereign king.  

   
   

“I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem,” God proclaims (v. 6).  Jesus does not rule because he won the popular vote. He is king because God has ordained it.  Deal with it!  If Jesus is Lord, Caesar is not. More to the point: if Jesus is Lord, you aren’t either!  

2. Jesus is a divine king.

   
   

Not only does Psalm 2 tell us what Jesus does (he reigns over all), it tells us who he is.  God describes Jesus’ identity this way: “You are my Son; today I have begotten you” (v. 7).  The word “begotten” points to the fact that Jesus is not only from God, he is of God.  He shares the same nature as his Father. 

The Nicene Creed puts it this way: Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.”  

3. Jesus is a universal king.

   
   

God is going to give “the nations” and “the whole earth” to King Jesus as his rightful inheritance (see v. 8).  In other words, Jesus will manifest his glorious reign not only over Israel, but over Iran, Russia, North Korea, Venezuela, Japan, Zimbabwe, the United States, etc.  Yes, the day is coming soon when every earthly ruler will bow the knee and acknowledge that Jesus alone is Lord (see Phil. 2:9-11).

4. Jesus is a fearful king.

   
   

Psalm 2 tells us that those who persist in their refusal to submit to King Jesus will one day stand face to face with the Lord himself and give an account for their rebellious behavior. Yes, we are free to reject God’s chosen king but once that choice is made, we are not free to determine the consequences of that decision! The king “will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots” (v. 9).    

5. Jesus is a good and welcoming king. 

   
   

If a contemporary Christian had written Psalm 2, he would have probably concluded with a polite invitation, encouraging us to accept Jesus as Savior so that he can forgive our sins and take us to heaven when we die. But this is not how the inspired writer concludes his psalm.  He commands us to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and submit completely to his rule.  We must cease our treasonous rebellion now and bow before our King in total surrender! “What joy for all who take refuge in him!” (v. 12). 

In other words, there is no refuge from King Jesus!  There is only refuge in him.  

1.  Calculating the precise number is not an exact science.  However, the following references are clear:  Matt. 3:17; 17:5 (repeated in Mk. 1:11; 9:7; Lk. 3:22; 9:35); Jn. 1:49; Ac. 4:25-26; 13:33; Heb. 1:2, 5; 5:5; Rev. 2:26-27; 11:18; 12:5; 19:15.