Suggested Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
The Return of the King
Zedekiah’s name means “The LORD is righteous,” yet his reign as the last king of Judah was far from righteous. His leadership was marred by idolatry, social injustice, and disregard for prophetic counsel. His rebellion against Babylon ultimately led to the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple—a consequence of Judah's failure to keep its covenant with God.But even in the midst of Judah’s exile and the desolation of the land, God promised restoration. A "righteous branch" would rise from David’s line, a shepherd who would not repeat the failures of the past. This king, named Yahweh Tsidkenu—“The LORD is our righteousness”—would not merely rule with justice but would make his people righteous. They would dwell in safety, receiving the blessings promised in the covenant, despite the devastation their disobedience had earned.
This promise finds its fulfillment in Jesus, the true Son of David, who clothes us in his righteousness. Yet it was not the religious leaders or even the disciples closest to Jesus who fully recognized him. Instead, it was the blind Bartimaeus, who, in his physical blindness, possessed the spiritual sight to see Jesus as the Son of David.
Why did Bartimaeus see what the Pharisees could not? Why did even the disciples, who walked with Jesus daily, struggle to grasp his true identity? Perhaps it was their reliance on physical sight—on what they expected a king to be—that prevented them from seeing the suffering Messiah, the King who would serve and die, then rise again in three days. What prevents us from seeing Jesus as Lord today? When our spiritual sight is restored, do we, like Bartimaeus, follow him on the Way—the path of self-giving love and sacrifice that leads to Jerusalem and the cross?
Advent invites us to reflect on Jesus' first coming and to anticipate his second coming. In that future return, all eyes will see him. The Son of Man will come in glory, riding on the clouds, and the faithful will meet him in their resurrected bodies. On that day, the entire cosmos will witness the king’s return. But the impact will not be the same for all. For those whose spiritual eyes are opened, the signs of his coming will not bring fear but hope. Like the fig tree sprouting leaves that signal summer’s approach, the shaking of heavenly powers will be a signal that our redemption is drawing near. However, if we allow our lives to be dominated by the concerns of this world, blinded by the present age, the return of the king will come suddenly, like a trap. The day of divine justice, confronting all on the face of the earth, will catch many unaware.
As we wait in this season of Advent, may we prepare our hearts for the coming king. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians rings true for us today: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all… so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” (1 Thess. 3:12-13).
As Psalm 25 reminds us: “Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame.” Let us wait eagerly, with eyes opened and hearts expectant, for the return of our King.
Jesse Sun
