Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. When Pilate asked the Lord if
he was a king, he did not deny it, but his reply was given in
such a manner as to correct the notion of what kind of king he
is. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus
answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born,
and for this cause came I unto the world, that I should bear
witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth
heareth my voice. In like fashion, he told Nicodemus
the answer to his question even before Nicodemus could ask it.
Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto
thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of
God. So in this same manner, Christ
gave Pilate a most clear answer to his question, but it was framed
in such a way as to define the nature of his kingdom and the
fashion in which he is pleased to manifest his dominion, deliverance,
and redemption of that nation which he came to save. The Lord's
response to Pilate was a most clear and glorious statement
that swept away the carnal notions which religious men have of the
establishment of his kingdom in the earth. It was in many
ways a statement of Isaiah's prophecy. Behold my servant,
whom I uphold, mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. I have
put my spirit upon him. He shall bring forth judgment
to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up,
nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed
shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. He
shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor
be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth, and
the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the Lord,
he that created the heavens, and stretched them out, he that
spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it. he that
giveth bread unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that
walk therein. I the Lord have called thee in
righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee,
and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of
the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners
from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison
house. Many in the present day are unable
to comprehend the extent and completion of the reign of Christ,
because they are convinced that He is not yet seated upon the
throne of His glory. They yet await various signs,
seasons, and carnal events which they believe accompany that reign.
All the while He does most gloriously reign in triumph, having fulfilled
the jot and tittle of the law in His people's behalf, securing
their redemption with His blood shed at Calvary, and is now sat
down at the right hand of His Father in glory and splendor.
He has sent his spirit into the world to manifest the glory of
that kingdom, which is not one of flesh and blood, but rather
in power and glory, giving gifts unto men. John the baptizer testified
of this, but could not fully grasp how it would occur. I indeed
baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me is
mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall
baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. This fire of which
he speaks is an apt description of the work of him who has triumphed
over death and does administer eternal life to those whom the
Father has given him. He will lose none. The kingdom
of Christ is one which can be observed only by the eye of faith. All men could see the miracles
which Christ performed, and could hear the words which he spoke.
Yet none could see the glory of those miracles, nor being
able to actually hear the truth which he spoke, except those
to whom he gave ears to hear it. Thus the kingdom of Christ
is hidden in plain sight, even as the Lord told the Pharisees.
Isaiah prophesied of the carnal healings which Christ would perform.
Yet these things only served as examples of that greater healing,
which he is pleased to manifest to those to whom he is sent.
He does cause the leper, whose sin has covered him from head
to foot, to rejoice in his cleansing power. He who is deaf is caused
to hear the word of truth, spoken by the mouth of him who is the
embodiment of truth. He does raise the dead to life,
as Paul said, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened
us together with Christ. By grace, ye are saved. A most
glorious aspect of his triumph and establishment of his kingdom
is seen as the poor have the gospel preached unto them. As
he said, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. He does indeed lift up the needy
from the dunghill as he sends the gospel of the glory of the
blessed God to bring life and immortality to light, revealing
unto them his purpose to give unto his children the kingdom.
Thus he makes paupers to be wealthy men and beggars to sit in royal
state. For as he is pleased to cause
the blind to see and the deaf to hear, they can and do rejoice
in the triumphs of their king, whose dominion is from everlasting
to everlasting. May he be praised forever. Do
you see the glory of his kingdom? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.