Lord's Day 12 — Friday: Christ Our King
Lord's Day 12: The Name 'Christ' - Three Offices
Friday — Christ Our King
The Catechism
Q31. Why is he called 'Christ,' meaning 'anointed'?
Because he has been ordained by God the Father and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teacher who fully reveals to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our deliverance; our only high priest who has delivered us by the one sacrifice of his body, and who continually pleads our cause with the Father; and our eternal king who governs us by his Word and Spirit, and who guards and keeps us in the freedom he has won for us.
Q32. But why are you called a Christian?
Because by faith I am a member of Christ and so I share in his anointing. I am anointed to confess his name, to present myself to him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a free conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for eternity.
Today's Emphasis
As our eternal King, Christ governs us by his Word and Spirit, and guards and keeps us in the freedom he has won for us. His kingdom is not of this world, yet it is utterly real—a reign of grace now and glory to come.
Scripture Readings
Psalm 110:1-2
The LORD says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.' The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!
John 18:36-37
Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.' Then Pilate said to him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.'
Colossians 1:13-14
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
From the Reformers
Zacharias Ursinus (Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism)
"Christ exercises his kingly office in defending and preserving his church against all enemies visible and invisible; in governing it by his Word and Spirit; and in rewarding the obedience of his people with eternal life, and punishing disobedience with eternal death."
Reflection Questions
• In what areas of your life do you struggle to submit to Christ's kingly rule, preferring your own way instead?
• How does the promise that Christ 'guards and keeps us in the freedom he has won' give you courage when facing spiritual enemies?
Growing in grace through the Catechism — The Hearthside Team 🔥