The worldly way of thinking says to promote our brand, put ourselves first, exalt ourselves. If anyone had credentials to do this, it would be Jesus, but He did not operate that way. Not just that, but the Kingdom of God does not operate that way. Jesus Himself said, “Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.” (Matthew 20:27) Instead of putting ourselves first like the world thinks, the Kingdom of God has us putting others first by serving them.
Priest and King
Two particular ways that Jesus could have taken action and ascended to the top while on Earth, was as a priest and as king. Even though He was not from the Aaronic line of priests, He had been called to the priesthood by God -even as the High Priest.1 As king, Jesus was in the lineage of David, and Gabriel told Mary that her baby would be given the throne of David.2 In both of these areas, Jesus did not assert Himself, but humbled Himself and waited for the Father’s timing. (For other prophesies concerning the birth of Jesus, see my article Jesus Birth Prophesies.)
High Priest
We see His humility in operation when we consider Jesus as high priest. The book of Hebrews tells us that one becomes a priest when called by God, not by promoting themself. (See passage just below.) Jesus became a high priest in this manner, by being called by the Father. (All caps in the New Testament are used in the text to indicate Old Testament quotes.)
Heb 5:4-8 And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him,
“THOU ART MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN THEE”;6 just as He says also in another passage,
“THOU ART A PRIEST FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”7 In the days of His flesh, when He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and who was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
The King
As rightful heir to the Davidic throne, Jesus was in position to rule over the Earthly kingdom, but was rejected. Charles Ryrie summarizes, “The Gadarenes repudiated His claims (Matthew 8:34). The scribes rejected His claim to be able to forgive sins (9:3). Many people in various cities rejected His credentials (11:20-30; 13:53-58). The Pharisees rejected Him (12; 15:1-20; 22:15-23). Herod, Pontius Pilate, Gentiles, and Jews all rejected Him with finality at the Crucifixion (John 1:11; Acts 4:27).”3
The country of the Gadarenes is near the Sea of Galilee. The cities mentioned in chapter 11 above were the ones where most of His miracles were done:4 Chorazin; Bethsaida; and, Capernaum. In Nazareth, “they took offense at Him” and He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:57-58)
The Pharisees accused Jesus of violating the Sabbath and wanted to destroy Him. They said that He was using the power of Satan to cast out demons, and wanted to see a sign from Him (yet another!), to prove He was from God. They also accused Him of transgressing the tradition of the elders, which they put above the commandment of God. In their malice, the Pharisees tried to trap Him in His words which they could not do! (Matthew 12; 15:1-20; 22:15-23)
Conclusion
Jesus could have stepped into the role as High Priest while on Earth, and He could have taken the throne the way men lusting for power often do, but Jesus humbled Himself before the Father and before sinners. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.” (1 Peter 5:6)
In reality, as believers already know, He IS High Priest, and He IS not just King, but the King of Kings! His rule as priest and king over the whole Earth will eventually come, and it will come at the right time!
1 Hebrews 5:10 “[Jesus] Being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”
2 Luke 1:31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.”
3 Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology, (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1986), 298
4 Matthew 11:20 “Then He [Jesus] began to reproach the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent.”