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Advent Devotional - December 7, 2014

“He rules the world with truth and grace / And makes the nations prove / The glories of His righteousness / And wonders of His love”

-Joy to the World

In The Prince, Machiavelli famously wrote that it is “better to feared than loved, if you can’t be both.” But what if you can? The Bible refuses to concede Machiavelli’s sinister choice. The basic Christian confession is that Jesus is Lord. He rules from on high. His ministry on earth was a perpetual demonstration of His Lordship. He calmed winds and waves, set deranged men in their right minds, relieved decades long physical struggles with a touch, and even called forth a dead man from a tomb. Peter proclaimed this same Lordship to the crowd in Jerusalem, instructing them that the same Jesus who was crucified before them had been exalted over them (Acts 2:36). And the reign continues. He reigns in heaven even now, and He will return again, yes, to rule upon the earth. Fear Him, reverence Him, worship Him, for He rules the world!

Yet...His rule is gracious. He rules with truth and grace. He commands everyone to come to Him, but that summons is laced with grace: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). And Jesus was never more kingly or gracious than when He was fixed to a cross by nails, for there the King of Glory decisively defeated the powers of Hell that threaten us all eternally (Colossians 1:15). He rules with truth and grace, and, in response, we wonder at His glory (John 1:14).