Christ the King Sunday: November 23, 2025

Holy Trinity Church – Tom Mount

 

Introduction

  • Today is Christ the King Sunday. Psalm 2 is one of several “royal psalms:” Ps 72, 89, 110. Dual referents: Davidic kings and Jesus. Referenced 17x in NT (e.g.: Acts 4:24-27).
  • Four stanzas and four voices: narrator, kings of earth, Yahweh, King/Messiah.
  1. The nations’ fruitless rebellion against Yahweh and his Christ (vv.1-3)

Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”

  • Jesus’ royal reign was opposed from the start (Acts 4:25-30). Jesus’ reign will always be opposed during the current age (Revelation 19:19). God’s reign has always been opposed (cf. Satan, Eden, Ziggurat of Babylon, OT “Nations,” Israel, etc.).
  • Why? Unregenerate humans don’t like being under any moral authority.
  • Note the active verbs: they “rage,” “plot,” “rise up,” ”band together.”
  1. Yahweh’s bemused response to human rebellion (vv.4-6)

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”

  • God “laughs…scoffs” – Like parents watching their toddler pitch a fit. What do you think of God laughing and scoffing at petulant people?
  • “anger… wrath” – Don’t domesticate God! He is appropriately angry at whatever opposes and threatens to destroy his good creation.
  • “I have installed…” – past tense: I’ve already installed my king on his throne and it’s not open for debate (Acts 2:36; Revelation 19:16).
  • “on Zion, my holy hill” – Where’s that? See Hebrews 12:22; Rev 21:1-2.
  1. Yahweh’s unalterable decree that his Son rule over all the earth (vv.7-9)

7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

  • “You are my Son; today I have become your father” (Acts 13:33; Heb 1:5). That is, from this day forward you will recognized by others as my Son. ANE kings were “adopted” by their god at their enthronement ceremony.
  • “I will make the nations your heritage…ends of the earth your possession” – Not just the land of Israel but the whole earth (Rev 11:15; cf. Rom 4:13).
  • “You shall break them with a rod of iron…” – In ANE, kings would write enemies names on jars of clay, then smash them with their mace (Rev 2:26-27; 19:15).
  1. The nations’ invitation to submit, trust and be blessed by Messiah (vv.10-12)

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise (don’t be stupid);
be warned, you rulers of the earth (take what I’m saying as.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

  • “fear and… trembling” – The only reasonable response to the true God (e.g,, Isa 6:5).
  • “Celebrate his rule” – Take delight in his Lordship! Jesus is setting all things straight.
  • “Kiss his Son” – an ANE, this was a sign of submission and affection toward a ruler.
  • “His wrath can flare up” – Slow to anger (Ex 34:6) until he judges (e.g., Rev 6:15-17).
  • “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” – You can rebel against Jesus or take refuge in Jesus. There are two and only two choices.

Takeaway

At his ascension, Jesus was installed as king. He left his disciples to advance his kingdom through our witness, prayers, miracles and hard work. Most importantly, we should celebrate his reign and submit to Him in every area of our lives.