The King and The King of Kings

I remember in August 1977, I was at my college library when I overheard people saying Elvis died.  Of course, this was way before the internet and cell phones.  Elvis Presley was dead at the age of 42.  Elvis was often referred to as "the King” because of his immense popularity, tremendous success in the music industry, and his impact on popular culture.  We may or may not be an Elvis fan, but the talent he possessed was undeniable.  Elvis once held a press conference where he said "I believe the key to happiness is someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to”.  As an outsider looking at Elvis's life, it seems like happiness eluded him.  He struggled with fame, excess, and “demons" in his life.

The three things Elvis cited as the key to happiness can easily be turned into a spiritual application.

Somone to love - love Jesus, “The King of Kings”, love your brothers and sisters in Christ, love your neighbors, and even love your enemies.  Jesus exhibited love during His ministry as He dealt kindly with others, especially those that the religious elite and society rejected.  Jesus showed compassion as He healed many individuals.  Jesus leaving heaven to come to earth, giving His life on the cross, and taking on the sins of the world is the ultimate example of love.  Jesus gave us the gift of salvation. Jesus deserves to be the first love of our life.

Something to do -  serve Jesus and serve others.  We should look for opportunities to help people in a variety of ways, both big and small.  There are plenty of individuals that need assistance, whether emotionally, physically, or spiritually.  We will notice these individuals if we are “outward” looking, and not focused on ourself all the time. The most important way we can help others is by sharing Jesus and the gospel with them.  People need Jesus more than they need anything else in this world.

Something to look forward to - eternity with the redeemed.  A place free of problems, trials, pain, sickness, and death.  A place without hatred and violence.  A place filled with peace, love, and joy.  A place to live with Jesus forever.

Everyone is pursuing “happiness”. True happiness is not found in entertainment and possessions. Those things bring momentary happiness, at best.  Then people are off searching for their next happiness “fix”.  In the first section of Jesus’s sermon on the mount, (Matthew 5) often referred to as the “beatitudes”, He describes the character traits of a blessed life, and the promised benefits of living a kingdom life.  We will be blessed and have true happiness when we live for Jesus and let Him live in us.