The King of Glory

I love the imagery that David gives us when he tells the gates to lift up their heads. When I read this I can’t help but imagine these giant, strong, gates; and these massive, ancient doors, with their heads cast down in a bit of sadness. They’re downcast because previously the King of Glory had descended down from these gates. He took on flesh and allowed himself to be taken to a cross by the hands of wicked rebels, and He died. And these big gates and ancient doors stand in silence and in sadness because their King of Glory had died. Then the rebels took Him down and laid Him in a grave. But these gates and ancient doors don’t know what’s going on. They don’t know that this was all part of the plan from the beginning – their job is just to keep out those who oppose the King of Glory and open and shut precisely when he tells them to. They’re just gates and doors. And they love being a gate and a door for the King of Glory, because they know how good and righteous and kind this King of Glory is and they love this King of Glory. And all they know is that He died in the hands of the type of people they keep out. The King of Glory died. Let us not gloss over that, no matter how many times we’ve heard it. The King of Glory died. He died. He really died. So these gates and ancient doors have their heads hung low. But then, in a moment, that felt like it lasted three days, these gates hear a voice, a voice that had a sweet ring of familiarity to it, but with a little more unction than normal. And the voice calls out to them, “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” And immediately their hearts begin to burst with joy within them as they raise up their heads and their eyes begin to widen. “Who is this King of glory?” They ask with optimistic hearts, but still wondering how this could be, for they knew that the King of glory had died. The reply thunders back, “The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” These gates and these ancient doors begin to tremble with joy as they look at one another, “Could it be?” Then promptly as if needing confirmation that this isn’t a dream they ask again, “Who is this King of glory?” Without hesitation the reply roars back, louder than before, “The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!” Without a moment of delay the gates begin to swing open and the ancient doors begin to open wide, “It’s him!” They proclaim. And with radiating joy they say, “Jesus has risen! The King of glory is alive!”

These gates and these ancient doors are better off than far too many men who never know the resurrection of Christ.

Now imagine the company of Heaven observing the commotion that’s going on with the gates from the inside. As they hear the gates call out, “Who is this King of Glory?” They all pause and stand in silence to see if it is done – for they know the Christ will be resurrected. And as those gates begin to crank open and the light of the King of Glory, the Slain Lamb, the Resurrected Christ, shines in and floods the rooms of heaven, every creature and angel and elder rise to their feet and shout a mighty, roaring, thunderous battle cry of victory like never heard before in all of creation. “He has done it! He has risen! It is finished!” And after a moment, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, walks over with confidence to His Father and sits down at His right hand, looks square at His Father and says, “It is finished.” With full affirmation the Father replies, “It is finished indeed.” And all of Heaven begins to sing, “All Hail the power of Jesus name, Let angels prostrate fall, Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all. Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon the throne.”