1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD
and against his Anointed One.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they say,
“and throw off their fetters.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then he rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
He said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.
8 Ask of me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will rule them with an iron scepter;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
and you be destroyed in your way,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.—The words of the Psalmist from Psalm 2:1-12
In the last verse of the Scripture passage that appears at the beginning of this blog post, the Psalmist entreats the people singing this prophetic Psalm to “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry.” This urgent message may seem a bit odd in our culture today. We think of kissing either in terms that express romance, or at lest, affection. But, in times not that long past, a kiss also symbolized a submission of one person’s will to another.
Thus, as a subject entered the presence of a king or ruler, he or she would bow. And, if the ruler extended his or her hand, the subject would kiss the ruler’s hand. The kiss signified an obedience, a submission, a bending of the subject’s will to the will of the ruler.
On certain occasions, slaves in ancient times also gave their master a symbolic indication of their assent to the master’s will by means of a kiss. Sometimes the slave kissed the master’s hand. Other times, as part of an embrace, the slave would kiss the master’s cheek.In our culture today—as a part of our rightful expression of deep regret for that period in our history where we captured and transported fellow human beings from Africa and other parts of the world and brought them to America to serve under bondage—we do not like to even use the word “slave.” But, in reality, the Apostle Paul refers to himself as a “bondslave of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God.” (see 1 Corinthians 4:1).
As I have explained in previous blog posts, with particular reference to Deuteronomy 15:12-18, the Apostle Paul has clearly understood that when we open our hearts to receive God’s gift of salvation, in and through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit bonds us to God forever. Because God chose us to belong to Him before the foundation of the world, once we bow our knee in fealty to Him, He graciously grants us the extreme honor and deep privilege of becoming His bondslave, or if you prefer, bondservant.
But, our relationship does not end there. No, indeed. Because we have acknowledged this great gift of eternal life that God has freely given us in Christ, God promotes us to the position of “steward” in His Kingdom. A “steward” is a “slave elevated to a postion of responsibility in the Master’s kingdom.” Still a slave, the steward now exercises authority given by the Master to help bring about the success of the Master’s goals and objectives. The Master accomplishes His work in partnership with His stewards.
So, in the prohecy expressed in Psalm 2, the Psalmist looks toward the coming of the Messiah, or Christ—same word: one in Hebrew, the other in Greek—to bring the freedom from sin. At this most sacred time of year when we celebrate both the Incarnation and also express our longing for Christ’s return, it seems very fitting for us to “Kiss the Son.” But, not because we fear His anger. Rather, we joyfully and reverently and humbly “Kiss the Son” as a sign, once again, that we consciously, purposefully, and obediently bend our will to His. We acknowledge that our own interest has no importance. We live to serve the Great King. We strive to obediently do His will.
When we pray the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples and say, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven...” we pledge our part in this great task. As bondslaves of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God, we bring forth the reality of this season of the year in the depths of our hearts. We do this in such a way that the very Kingdom of God will spring forth throughout every moment of every day for all the remaining days of our lives here on earth.
Will you pray with me?
Thank You, God, for loving us. Thank You for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Thank You for sending us Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
In the depth of our hearts we obediently “Kiss the Son” to acknowledge our total dependence on You to fulfill Your purpose on this earth. We speak to You in genuine humility and express our gratitude that You have claimed us as Your own and made us a part of Your great plan for mankind. How we thank You that, in Your mercy and grace, You have elevated us to the position of stewards in Your Kingdom.
Precious Father, even as we celebrate the birth of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, we long for Him to return with power and in great glory. Vouchsafe for us the time of His coming.
Please continue to teach us wholehearted obedience through Your Word. And, help us to steadfastly follow the pathway You have set out before us. Thank You, dear Father, for hearing our prayer in and through the precious Name of Your Son, Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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