Opening Our Heart to the King of Glory
Welcome to our final week of revealing the King of glory.
So far, we discovered in Psalm 24 how…
(1.) creation
(2.) holiness
(3.) and seeking God’s face, all point to Christ and His glory.
Now, we learn how (4.) salvation and opening our heart to Christ also reveals His glory.
The last four verses beautifully and powerfully describe Him.
“Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah”
Psalm 24:7-10 (ESV)
Salvation Reveals the King of Glory
Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes the repetitions of phrases in these verses like those in a song.
“The doors and gates are to be thrown open, thrown wide open, to give him admission, for behold he stands at the door and knocks, ready to come in.”
Henry further notes the Lord desires to be “welcomed by us.”
The King of glory knocks at the door of our heart. If we open the door, He comes in (Revelation 3:20). Jesus came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their heart and life.
The King of glory knocks at the door of our heart. If we open the door, He comes in (Rev. 3:20). Jesus came that first Christmas night for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their heart and life. #Glory #salvation Click To TweetGod’s Glory With Us
Perhaps Mary’s thoughts went something like this.
He took His first breath.
Wrapped in swaddling cloths, though adorned with royal titles. Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Holy King. Immanuel. The Ancient of Days.
The Lamb of God created the star placed in the heavens to announce His arrival. The light of the world.
The Lamb of God created the star placed in the heavens to announce His arrival. The light of the world. #Glory Click To TweetI held Him in my arms. So overjoyed. Barely minutes old and seemingly fragile. But this baby embodied the fullness of the Godhead. Such power later demonstrated when He cast out evil spirits and raised the dead to life again!
The Greatness of God
So, I studied every feature as mothers do when handed a newborn. Gazing intently at Him, I saw the goodness and greatness of God.
Looking in His eyes—they would one day see into the hearts of men.
I watched His mouth when He yawned or cried—wonderful, powerful, life-giving words He later spoke. Commanding even the winds and waves to obey Him.
Placing my hand on His chest to sense a strong heartbeat. The day was coming His heart—broken and betrayed by many—offered forgiveness to all.
I held His hands and little fingers. The same hands would gently caress those who needed comfort and healing. Touch eyes restoring sight. His hands stretched out to give us love and life, pierced by nails.
Also, I examined His feet. Yes, five toes on each one. I’d felt them kicking inside me. These feet carried Him to speak to the masses, walked on water and became pierced with nails.
The Bread of Life
Embracing Him as a mother tenderly draws her child close, snuggling Him near to my chest. Yet, His embrace offers us more warmth and security than any earthly mother ever bestows.
How ironic I nursed Him to sustain His physical life, whereas He is the very Bread of Life!
I delighted in watching Him grow from child to man. There was no one like Him: His smile, voice, presence and spirit. Possessing great compassion, humility, love and tenderness.
The King of Glory Highly Exalted
Then, I found myself at the foot of the cross sobbing. Why, son?
“Though he was in the form of God…emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:6-11 (ESV)
I welcomed Him into my life and heart. And He desires you welcome Him.
Because His Holy Word shouts:
“Lift you your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of Glory.” Psalm 24:9-10 (NIV, emphasis added)
—Mary, the mother of Jesus
Lord, we swing open wide the gates of our life and the door of our heart for your grand entrance. The King of glory.
Lord, we swing open wide the gates of our life and the door of our heart for your grand entrance. The King of glory. #Glory #salvation Click To Tweet
Do you know Jesus as Savior? If so, do you welcome Him daily into your heart and life?
Note: I penned Mary’s thoughts as part of a Mary Monolgue for speaking and Christmas events starting five years ago.
Merry Christmas!
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Purposeful Faith/Recharge Wednesday/Worth Beyond Rubies/Tune in Thursday/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected/Candidly Christian, Faith On Fire and Faith and Worship Christian Weekend.
© 2020 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
I love considering this amazing truth about Jesus as we celebrate his first coming!
Yes, me too, Michele. And He’s coming back!
I love imagining what Mary must have thought, there in those first hours after giving birth to the child of God. Her hope and faith are such an inspiration to me! I strive to be like her in that way. We are so blessed that God gave us salvation in this way. Merry Christmas, Karen! I just love your blogs and your heart for teaching.
Thanks so much, Jessica. I hope you and your family had the merriest Christmas! So grateful Jesus came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their heart and life.
Such a beautiful post! I have often lingered, wondering as you describe Mary must have done, holding the very “I AM” in her arms. My mind can hardly grasp the wonder of it!
Yes, Donna, “holding the very ‘I AM’ in her arms.”
“Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!” Psalm 24:7-8 (ESV)
Oh Karen, what a moving image, the mother of Jesus, looking back and looking ahead. I have always been inspired by Mary’s quiet humble faith, humble heart and unmoving love for her son, the Son of God. Thank you for walking us through the scriptures, through the eyes of Mary. Praying for many more to have eyes to see and hearts to desire the King of glory who came for us. Merry Christmas!
Melissa, I pray for others and particularly our loved ones who have never welcomed the King of glory into their hearts in salvation, to see His unmatched glory and saving power, being drawn by the Holy Spirit to open the door of their hearts and lives!
Thank you for helping us see Christmas from the eyes of Mary and the beauty of her faithfulness in saying yes to God. Merry Christmas Karen and God bless.
Merry Christmas, Yvonne. “… at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:11 (ESV)
Amen and Amen. This is a beautiful message. Have a Merry Christmas!
Hope your Christmas was merry and bright! “Lift you your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of Glory.” Psalm 24:9-10 (NIV)
Mary’s journey as the mother of God’s Son was a unique experience for sure. You’ve done an excellent job imagining her feelings as a young mother. Her faith and trust in God the Father was evident from the moment the angel Gabriel spoke to her. She knew the Scriptures and the prophesies foretelling Messiah. What a stunning event this must have been from the very beginning and then, eventually, to watch her Son be tortured and killed. Mary knew there was more to the story, and that God had a plan. She carried out her role as one of the earliest church members, eventually ending up in Ephesus with the apostle John if the earliest accounts are factual. Her front row seat in Jesus’ childhood, his youth, his ministry, his death, his resurrection, and the founding of his church gave her a unique and significant role. What a high calling!
A true high calling indeed, Melinda. I’ve always admired Mary’s heart and especially her faith and response in Luke 1:38, “‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” (ESV) I often consider her words in my own faith journey with Jesus. Do I let it be to me according to His Word? Do I stand in firm faith. Because, while not His mother, I’ve had my own front row seats to His saving power in my life.
Wonderful message and teaching series Ms. Karen. Thank you so very much ma’am. God’s blessings and Merry CHRISTmas ma’am.
God bless you, J.D. Lord, we swing open wide the gates of our life and the door of our heart for your grand entrance. The King of glory.
I love imagining all the things Mary surely must have been observing/savoring when Jesus was born. So powerful, and so human. Great post, Karen!
Thanks, Jessie, like how you said, “So powerful, and so human.” Mary surely felt all the normal things all moms do at the birth of a child, yet also remembering the angel’s message and all that had been spoken to her.
I loved this monologue, Karen. Such anticipation of the one she adored as her son and also the Son of God and King of Glory. And thank you for this post that points us back to the reason Jesus came – to make a way for salvation. May Jesus find more open hearts to fill this Christmas season.
Thank you, Stephen. I’m so thankful Christ came as the Savior of the world, my Savior! Because we certainly can’t save ourselves!
I enjoyed reading your insights into Mary’s thoughts as she first held her Christ child, and the contrast with what happened through Christ in later years. It is hard to imagine all the thoughts and wonders that must have raced through he mind night after night, year after year.
Hi Janice, while we are not privy to Mary’s thoughts after the birth of Christ, we can imagine what must have gone through her mind as His mother.
Yes, He is the King of Glory. And every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus …
Hallelujah, Linda. And I pray before He comes more and more lost souls find the King of glory.
Amen Karen, Such an awe inspiring post. So tender and touching. Thank you for sharing.
Visiting from Inspire Me Monday.
Thanks for visiting, Paula. I pray we welcome the King of glory all year long into our hearts and lives.
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