The Tale of Two Kings

The difference between the king who grasped for glory and the One who laid it aside.

“On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last” (Acts 12:21-23).

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:3-5).

Photo by Iván Díaz on Unsplash

What kind of king is worthy of our praise? The contrast between Acts 12 and John 13 reveals two strikingly different kings: one who seeks glory by what he puts on—a royal robe—and another who seeks glory by what he puts off. King Herod, draped in silver robes and seated on his throne, seemed to have everything. Yet in Acts 12:23, the illusion crumbles as God strikes him down, bringing his fleeting glory to shame. Earthly glory often dazzles us—it’s the glory of “going up.” But the glory of Jesus is something altogether different—it’s the glory of “going down.”

When Jesus came into the world, His glory was revealed not in what He grasped for, but in what He was willing to give up. The moment when Jesus removes His garments to wash His disciples’ feet is a stunning picture of the gospel. From heaven, He came to serve us, even at the cost of His own life. In Jesus, we see the glory of “going down” for our sake. While Herod exalted himself, Jesus humbled Himself. While Herod sat on a throne demanding praise, Jesus hung on a cross, giving life to the dead. Herod’s royal robes, a symbol of his vanity, brought only temporary honor and lasting shame. Jesus, on the other hand, laid aside eternal robes of glory to offer eternal life to all who trust in Him.

In Jesus, we find a glory that doesn’t fade or fail—it is eternal, unshakable, and overflowing with mercy for even the least of us. This is the kind of King we can trust and build our lives on!