Sarah Mitchell
Catholics, like all mainline Christian denominations, believe that Jesus is God, as well as Prophet, Wisdom, Word, High Priest, King, Messiah, etc. However, some Catholics find the idea of the divinity of Jesus difficult to accept, as it is a very big assertion that a man who walked the earth was also God. Jesus is referred to as King of kings and Lord of lords in the Scriptures, and is said to be all-powerful and omnipotent. However, this idea of kingship and power is at odds with the way of Jesus, who rejected power over others and instead washed his disciples' feet, taking on the role of a slave or servant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jesus' rejection of power over others | Jesus washed his disciples' feet and took the role of a slave, servant, or follower. |
| Jesus' rejection of the title of king | When Pilate asked if he was the king of the Jews, Jesus said, "You have said it, not I." |
| Jesus' divinity | Jesus is God in the flesh, the Son of Man, and the Messiah. |
| Jesus' omnipotence | As king, Jesus is all-powerful and omnipotent. |
| Jesus' rule | Jesus' rule is eternal and extends beyond geographical limits. |
| Jesus' followers | Christians worship Christ the King by living in such a way that his rule is an inescapable reality. |
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What You'll Learn
Jesus is priest, prophet, and king
The idea of Jesus as a king is a direct contradiction of his way of life. Jesus rejected power over others and the idea of being a king. He instead took on the role of a slave, a servant.
However, Jesus is considered to be a prophet, priest, and king. These three offices are spoken of in the Old Testament, and Jesus is believed to fulfill all three roles.
Jesus as a Prophet: Prophets were tasked with speaking God's Word to people. They proclaimed God's truth and revealed God's plans for the future. Some prophets also performed miracles and healings. Jesus taught the Word of God and spoke with authority. He is referred to as a prophet in the Bible, and he also took on this title himself.
Jesus as a Priest: The priestly office of Christ includes a discussion of the office itself and Christ's sacrificial death to redeem sinners from their sins. Jesus offered himself as the sacrifice for all our sins. In the Old Testament, the high priest was the mediator between God and his sinful people.
Jesus as a King: Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). He is the "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). He rules in such a way that sin cannot reign over us.
In his threefold office as prophet, priest, and king, Jesus cures our ignorance, removes our guilt, and delivers us from our corruption.
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Jesus rejected the idea of being a king
While all mainline Christian denominations, including Catholics, believe that Jesus is King, Prophet, Wisdom, Word, High Priest, Messiah, etc., there is an argument that Jesus rejected the idea of being a king in the human sense.
Jesus is described as rejecting power over others, wealth, and violence, which are all characteristics of human kings. In the Gospel, Jesus is said to have rebuked James and John when they sought the first place in his kingdom. He called all the disciples together and said:
> "Look, among the Gentiles, those who are not part of God's chosen people, those that are in power lorded over others — lorded over others — among you, it cannot be that way. The one who is to lead must be the servant, the slave of all."
Jesus demonstrated this when he knelt in front of each disciple and washed their feet at the Last Supper, taking on the role of a slave or servant. He also chose the way of suffering and death, showing love for those who tortured and killed him.
When Jesus was in trial before Pilate, he went into hiding and rejected the title of King of the Jews, saying, "You have said it, not I." He told Pilate that his kingdom was "not of this world," indicating that his kingdom was of a spiritual nature.
Therefore, while Catholics do believe that Jesus is King, it is important to understand that this concept of kingship is not in the traditional sense and that Jesus himself rejected the idea of being a human king.
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Jesus is king, but not in the world's definition
While all mainline Christian denominations, including Catholics, believe that Jesus is King, this is not in the same sense as an earthly king. In the Gospels, Jesus is referred to as "King of kings and Lord of lords" and "The Son of Man". He is seen as the fulfilment of the prophecy of the Messiah in Daniel's vision, and he is God in the flesh.
However, Jesus rejected power over others. When James and John sought the first places in his kingdom, Jesus rebuked them, saying that the one who leads must be a servant. This is demonstrated by the Last Supper, where Jesus washed his disciples' feet, taking on the role of a slave.
Jesus' kingship is reflected in his followers, who are called to be prophets, priests, and kings themselves. As kings, they are empowered to live a life of justice and virtue. Christians show that Christ is Lord by living in such a way that his rule is an inescapable reality, through lowly service and charity.
Therefore, while Jesus is indeed King, this is not in the same sense as human kings, who follow the ways of the world, seeking power, wealth, and force. Jesus' kingdom is eternal and omnipotent, and he is THE King, the Ruler of all the kings of the earth.
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Jesus is THE King, the ruler of all kings
Jesus is the Davidic king, the king from the line of David, and is also God. In the Old Testament, kings were anointed, a sign of their role in governing God's people on earth. Messiah in Hebrew, or Christ in Greek, means "anointed one". Thus, Jesus, as the Messiah, is the true prophet, priest, and king.
Jesus is all-powerful, or omnipotent, and sovereign. His rule and dominion extend beyond our geographical limits. He is also eternal, and his kingdom will not pass away.
However, it is important to note that Jesus' kingship is not in the traditional sense of earthly kings, who are associated with power, wealth, and force. Instead, Jesus' kingdom is one of lowly service, where he calls his followers to be servants and to reject the idea of lording power over others.
Jesus demonstrated this during the Last Supper when he washed his disciples' feet, taking on the role of a slave and servant. He said, "As I have done to you, you must do to others. You must be servants." This act of humility and service is a key aspect of Jesus' kingship and a central teaching of Christianity.
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Christians worship Christ the King by living in a certain way
Christians worship Christ the King by living in accordance with his teachings and example. While Christ is indeed King, his kingdom is not of this world. He is a radically different kind of monarch, one who leads by serving others.
Christians recognize Jesus' kingship by submitting to his authority and trusting in his leadership. They find strength, hope, and motivation in his wisdom, power, and love. By focusing on his sovereignty, Christians can embrace the security and comfort that comes with his divine plan, even amid chaos and struggles.
Christians exalt Christ as their King through heartfelt worship, which brings them closer to him. They acknowledge his majesty and open themselves to his work in their lives, allowing their problems to become smaller in comparison to his greatness.
However, some Christians do not worship Christ as King, and this has caused intra-Christian disputes. The phrase "Christ is King" has also been co-opted by far-right extremists, causing concern that Christians proclaiming this phrase may unwittingly support extremist ideologies.
Nevertheless, for Christians, worshipping Christ as King means living a life of service, following his example of humility and love, and trusting in his sovereignty and divine plan.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholics believe that Jesus is king, but not in the traditional sense. Jesus is described as the "King of kings and Lord of lords", and his kingdom is eternal.
As king, Jesus empowers his followers to live a life of justice and virtue. He is described as all-powerful and omnipotent, and his rule is a necessary conclusion of the way Christians live.
Catholics believe that Jesus' kingly ministry is exercised through lowly service, as demonstrated by Jesus washing his disciples' feet at the Last Supper.
Human kings follow the ways of the world, often associated with power, wealth, and force. Jesus, on the other hand, rejected power over others and instead embodied servanthood, as seen in his actions at the Last Supper.
Viewing Jesus as king calls Christians to live as followers of Jesus, rejecting the idea of dominance and embracing a life of service and justice, reflecting his ministry.
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