Christmas: Term Limits and Uncertain Appointments

Two Stark Realities

There are two stark realities about rulers through the ages. First, they all have term limits. Sometimes their term ended in assassination, sometimes they have a term limit set by others by law, some faced a recall, all of them end, ultimately, in death. This includes the “good” ones, the so-so ones, and the blatantly evil ones.

The second reality is that their appointment seems to be uncertain. This is due, in part, to the way they were appointed to their role. The vote could have been by a slim margin. They might have looked like they would not take the throne, but then they did.

However, when it comes to the final Ruler, the King of kings, these two realities are put to rest.

Two Certainties from the King’s Christmas Story

“And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’” Luke 1:30-33 ESV

The one doing the appointment is the Lord God. There is no higher authority granting the authority to reign. That is certain.

Secondly, there is no reign that will last longer. And King Jesus did this by leaving his throne, being born in Bethlehem, dying on a cross, and rising so that all who believe and trust him will reign with him.

“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13 ESV