Come, O Ruler of Nations!
For Meditation (Rick Hutton)
O come, O King of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
And be yourself our King of Peace
This week we’re looking at the name King of Nations as we continue to think about the Old Testament names given for the long-desired Messiah whose birth we celebrate in just a few days!
The Old Testament, especially the book of Isaiah, tells us that the King of Nations would not be like the other kings of that time. Instead of defeating his enemies he would break down divisions, he would unite the peoples of the world and they would no longer be disconnected from one another but instead be united in their worship of God.
This idea continues in the New Testament as we’re told that Jesus, the one true king, has broken down the barriers between humanity and God and between one another. Jesus, the king of nations, gathers, settles, and unites the people as one in worship of God. And he does this not through power and might, but through humility and love.
The King of Nations, Jesus, has come and he is coming again to bring his Kingdom in its fullness where all barriers will be broken down and there will be no more separation. As we wait for that time to come, we wait in hope, and we can join Jesus in what he’s doing here and now to bring about this breaking down of barriers and uniting in him. Where might you be able to do that in your areas of influence? How might God be inviting you to join him in the work of bringing about harmony?
Isaiah 2:2-5
2 In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the Lord.