It's Complicated (S2): WK 1 - FRI

2 Samuel 2:5-7
7 Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of 
Judah, who have anointed me as their new king.”

David’s second anointing as king of Judah would have contrasted sharply with his first anointing by the prophet Samuel. Back with Samuel, is what a private ceremony, family only, secretive even. The current king, Saul, was not mentally stable and would have seen this act as a direct threat on him and his kingdom; which it was.

But now, David’s anointing would have come with all the pomp and circumstance the Jews would have done for Saul back in the days. This was a public, popular, and very political act. In fact, unlike with Samuel, there’s no hint of the religious aspect to this anointing at all.

Truth is, however, David was God’s choice whether in public or private. He didn’t have to be publicly recognized to act as God’s chosen, did he?

We live in a world that loves to celebrate fame. You can be an influencer tomorrow if you want to, and work towards 100’s of 1,000’s of followers. And I’m not saying that’s all bad, but what I am saying is that in the kingdom of God, fame happens differently.

First of all, Jesus said…

26…“whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a
ransom for many.”
(Matthew 20:20, NIV)

So if we want to be “great” in the kingdom of God, we must become servants. But there is another key ingredient to becoming “famous” in the kingdom of God.

When Jesus began his public ministry, and he was gaining more of a following that John the Baptist, John’s disciples became jealous. When they shared that with him, John said one of my favorite lines in all the gospels. He said,

“[Jesus] must become greater and greater, I must become less and less.”
(John 3:30, NLT) 

So we become “famous” in the kingdom of God by serving one another and by continuously pointing others to Jesus, through our words and our deeds.

In God’s eyes, David was the king from the moment He chose Him, even if it would take the people a while to get there. You and I are all children of God, in whom He loves and with whom He is well pleased (Luke 3:22 and I John 3:1). And that is the most important truth about us. Whether the world chooses to recognize it or not, that is how we are called to live.

1. Have you ever wanted to be publicly recognized for something you did that you weren’t recognized for? If so, did the lack of recognition change the impact you had? 
2. What are some ways that you and I can remain humble, living our lives to lift up Jesus instead of ourselves?