[Read] The Boy Who Would Be King

Kings usually rise through power, privilege, or conquest. They are born into palaces, trained by generals, and crowned by men.
But the greatest King the world has ever known began His life not on a throne, but in a manger.

Jesus of Nazareth entered history as a child—poor, vulnerable, and unnoticed by the powerful. Yet from the moment of His birth, heaven proclaimed what earth would one day recognize: this boy was born to rule.

A King Announced at Birth

The story of Jesus’ kingship does not begin years later in Jerusalem; it begins before He takes His first breath.

The angel Gabriel told Mary:

“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 1:32–33)

This was not poetic language. It was a royal declaration. Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise to David—a King whose reign would never expire.

Even the place of His birth was foretold:

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
(Micah 5:2)

Before Jesus spoke a word or performed a miracle, Scripture testified that He was born to lead.

Recognized by the Wise, Threatening to the Powerful

When Jesus was still a child, foreign dignitaries—wise men from the East—traveled far to honor Him, asking:

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
(Matthew 2:2)

Ironically, those trained to recognize kings found Him, while the reigning king, Herod, felt threatened. Earthly power always trembles when true authority enters the room.

Herod ruled by fear. Jesus would rule by truth.

Qualified to Lead in a Way No Other King Could

Jesus did not grow up shielded from hardship. He lived among ordinary people. He worked with His hands. He knew hunger, grief, temptation, and loss.

This is what uniquely qualified Him to lead men.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
(Hebrews 4:15)

Unlike earthly rulers, Jesus does not lead from a distance. He leads from experience.

When He eventually began His public ministry, people recognized something different:

“The crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”
(Matthew 7:28–29)

His authority was not borrowed. It flowed from who He was.

A King Crowned Through Sacrifice

Jesus redefined kingship entirely. He did not seize power—He surrendered His life.

When standing before Pilate, He declared:

“My kingdom is not of this world.”
(John 18:36)

And at the cross, where Rome meant mockery, God revealed majesty. Above His head hung the words:

“Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
(John 19:19)

What men intended as irony, heaven intended as truth.

A Kingdom That Will Never End

The boy born in Bethlehem did not remain a child. The crucified King did not remain in the grave.

Scripture declares His present reign and future return:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
(Matthew 28:18)

“He is the image of the invisible God… and in him all things hold together.”
(Colossians 1:15–17)

And one day, every doubt will be silenced:

“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
(Revelation 19:16)

Why His Kingship Still Matters

Jesus is not only King by title—He is King by character.
He leads with humility.
He rules with justice.
He governs with mercy.

And unlike every earthly ruler, His kingdom is open to all who will follow Him.

The child laying in a manger grew into the Man who leads humanity—not by force, but by love; not by fear, but by truth.

This is the Boy who would be King—and the King who still leads today.

Rob Stutzman is an Elder at Grace Chapel.  Attending since 2003, Rob and his wife Beth reside in Lexington, and have two adult children, Andrew and Emily, living in downtown Boston.  Rob has been a Christ follower since 1973 and works with others to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of the spiritual life God gives us each day.