That Title thus became an unconscious prophecy of Christ's universal
dominion. The Psalmist that sang of Messiah's world-wide rule was sure
that 'all nations shall serve Him,' and the reason why he was certain
of it was '_for_ He shall deliver the needy when he crieth.' We may be
certain of it for the same reason. He who can deal with man's primal
needs, and is ready and able to meet every cry of the heart, will never
want suppliants and subjects. He who can respond to our consciousness
of sin and weakness, and can satisfy hungry hearts, will build His sway
over the hearts whom He satisfies on foundations deep as life itself.
The history of the past becomes a prophecy of the future. Jesus has
drawn men of all sorts, of every stage of culture and layer of
civilisation, and of every type of character to Him, and the power
which has carried a peasant of Nazareth to be the acknowledged King of
the civilised world is not exhausted, and will not be till He is
throned as Saviour and Ruler of the whole earth. There is only one
religion in the world that is obviously growing. The gods of Greece and
Rome are only subjects for studies in Comparative Mythology, the
labyrinthine pantheon of India makes no conquests, Buddhism is
moribund. All other religions than Christianity are shut up within
definite and comparatively narrow geographical and chronological
limits. But in spite of premature jubilations of enemies and much hasty
talk about the need for a re-statement (which generally means a
negation) of Christian truth, we have a clear right to look forward
with quiet confidence. Often in the past has the religion of Jesus
seemed to be wearing or worn out, but it has a strange recuperative
power, and is wont to startle its enemies' paeans over its grave by
rising again and winning renewed victories. The Title on the Cross is
for ever true, and is written again in nobler fashion 'on the vesture
and on the thigh' of Him who rides forth at last to rule the nations,
'KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.'