The Promised Savior and King
“And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” …
“For my eyes have seen Your salvation.”
The angel Gabriel revealed to Mary that Jesus Christ would be born to be a King—an eternal King! The Jews were looking for a Messiah to throw off the shackles of their Roman rulers and to reestablish the kingdom of Israel at that time. But further revelation would show that Christ’s Kingdom was not of that age, but would be established at His second coming (John 18:36; Revelation 11:15).
God revealed to Simeon that Jesus Christ would also fulfill the role of Savior (Luke 2:30). It seems this role was less understood by the Jews of the first century, but it was to be a major aspect of Christ’s first coming.
Anna the prophetess also proclaimed the role of Jesus Christ as Redeemer: “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). Jesus Christ paid the ransom, the penalty of death, in our stead, becoming our Savior and Redeemer.
Like Simeon and Anna, we can be eternally grateful for both of Jesus Christ’s roles—as Savior and King.
To understand more about God’s plan and Jesus Christ’s roles, see our eye-opening booklet The Mystery of the Kingdom.
