The Once and Future King

Several years ago, Karen and I stood on a rocky peninsula in North Cornwall, gazing at the ruins of Tintagel, a medieval castle built by Richard, First Earl of Cornwall. Tintagel is also famous because legend has it this was the place where Arthur, of the Knights of the Round Table, was conceived.

There is some historical evidence suggesting there was a King named Arthur, and it’s said on his tomb you’ll find the words, “Here Arthur lies, king once and king to be.” The legend is that at a time of national peril, Arthur will return to England and save her once more from her enemies.

The symbolism of Arthur’s story wasn’t lost on authors like J.R.R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. They saw in Arthur a Christ – Like figure and reflected this in many of their writings.

It’s not difficult to see. Jesus is the King Who came first as a baby in the manger and rescued people from their sin. And in the future, He will return as the Conquering King to defeat all those Who resist Him and establish God’s universal reign of righteousness and peace.

Jesus truly is “the once and future King.”

Over this past week we have discovered quite a lot about this baby in the manger.

He is the promised One, the Messiah and Son of David set apart for God’s purpose to bring about forgiveness of sin, restoring us to God; He is the Lion of Judah Who is fierce and courageous in His defeat of sin and His judgment of evil. He is the perfect Lamb of God Who through His sinless death becomes our Saviour and sets us free.

He is God, the Only Lord over all creation.

His name is Jesus, and “His name is above every name.”

He is the once and future King!