The Warrior King
“Bright Hope for Tomorrow” — Chapter 4 Reflection
The Meaning Behind the Title
I’m going to be honest. I really didn’t get Jesus as the Warrior King.
In the second section of this book. The author explores different metaphors that the Bible presents to help us better understand Jesus when he returns. Chapter Four is all about the first metaphor which is Jesus as the Warrior King. Now, when I say that I don’t get it, I do not mean that I don’t know what a warrior king is. I have seen Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers where the King of Rohan and Aragorn lock hands exclaiming that they will fight to the end for their people. I have read the many biblical passages of David conquering his enemies.
I understand what a warrior king is. What I don’t really get is how Jesus as Warrior King will help me right now. Let me explain.
The author is trying to encourage the readers with this metaphor. But, I am in no fantasy land where kings and mythological monsters exist. (Although, I love reading such stories.) I live in America with presidents, and courts, and laws. Why do I need some conquering king? I get why King David would. He had life threatening and endangering situations all the time. He feared for his life regularly. I am just going to work and then sitting on the couch for a few hours a day.
The World We Live In
The author even introduces his chapter with an example of a woman in another country who was beaten for her faith. She suffered and of course sees the injustices that have been dealt to her as evil. She needs someone to protect her, conquer for her. It makes sense that she would want a Warrior King to come.
That is not the world I live in. I am not beaten for my belief. Maybe I’m thought of as weird or annoying for my beliefs but not anything with serious repercussions. It makes this metaphor personally difficult to find its importance, its encouragement. Almost like it’s for someone else and not for me. Maybe you can relate to me in this, or maybe you really don’t understand my position at all.
Either way, this metaphor should be both helpful and encouraging to all believers. After all, it’s in the Bible for a reason. Especially when we consider all the lesser afflictions and oppressions that people face.
However, what most endeared me to the metaphor for Jesus as Warrior King was the affliction that comes from sin.
The sin that seems to be ever-present. Lurking in the shadows, slowly filling my thoughts and trying to sway my heart to disobedience. The sin that I fight, wrestle, and struggle against. The sin that tells me I am not good enough, I am not strong enough, I won’t be loved or cared for or accepted. That I need to be perfect, do everything right, and look good in front of others knowing that in some sense it’s impossible.
When I contemplate my sin and its great power in the world, in my heart, and in the heart of those I love; then I can truly shout, ‘Lord! Save me!’ I see my deep and desperate need for the Warrior King that is coming. The one who will save us and defeat the great power of sin and death once and for all at his return. I cannot wait for that day. Because I cannot fight this sin alone. I need the King who will conquer when he comes again.
Unconquerable King
That is the day when all wrongs will be made right. Where justice will be delivered. Where victory will be final. So, of course, we look to Jesus on that day as Warrior King even if it might not make the most sense for us in our culture. He will rescue us from all oppression, and all affliction whether it be great or small. Jesus is the Warrior King and nothing will conquer him, and by extension you. In his death, he has conquered, and at his return, we will be with him. Long for the Warrior King.
