I recently came upon a podcast that was recommended to me by several people. It’s a podcast detailing the rise and fall of Mars Hill Church based out of Seattle, WA. It’s a fascinating account of how one man through many people built what seemed to be a fixture in the multi-site church phenomenon.
In the end, the church folded in the midst of controversy and within two months had completely dissolved. In its wake were thousands upon thousands of people scratching their heads in confusion and massive amounts of real estate and buildings needing to be managed.
As I listened to the podcast I couldn’t help but think of 1 Samuel 8, when the ancient Israelites said to Samuel, “…give us a king.”
It’s fascinating to note that before 1 Samuel 8 God had already promised to provide a king for His people. Notice what God tells Abraham in Genesis 17:6, “I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you.” So, the fact that Israel wanted a king was no surprise to God. In fact, God had also instructed kings on how they should live long before any king had ever ascended the throne of Israel. See Deuteronomy 17:14-20.
Thus, the Israelites desire for a king was natural and biblical. The problem was, they wanted a king like the nations…not a king ordained by God. They misplaced their loyalty.
We can still relate to this. We want to follow someone who possesses a strength tied to a purpose. See also the history of cults, civilizations, and conquests. Unless you’re Jeremiah Johnson, most of us desire to follow someone…God made us this way.
Our problem is the same as the Israelites of old…we misplace our loyalty…to the wrong king.
Enter Jesus Christ. He came as a babe, but He is the King of kings. He emptied Himself of His glory, but He is the Lord of lords. He accepted the reality of human development, but He is the Alpha and the Omega. Thus, Jesus is our just Ruler and Judge. He is the Head of the Church. In His light we see light. And He will return one day to establish His rule upon earth and all the world will bow their knees and acknowledge His reign.