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CAN A CHRISTIAN HAVE A KING BESIDES CHRIST AND REMAIN A CHRISTIAN?

Pic for illustration only
"...all authority in heaven and on earth..." Matthew 28:18

In the last four years, I have witnessed the burials of royal figures: the Queen of England in 2023, a king in Zambia in 2025, and now the King of Tooro in western Uganda. I have followed every media-covered proceeding, and I must say they are very interesting to watch—a royal figure’s burial. What does such a royal send-off imply? How does it resonate with the Christian belief about kingship?

The Scripture presents Jesus Christ to the Jews as their King who would come and deliver them from their enemies. The Jews had several enemies surrounding them, and they were living under the enemies’ monarchy. The Roman Empire was the immediate threat. However, Jesus’ kingship was never a political struggle but an eternal role: to save the souls of the lost. The Jewish leaders rejected His kingship; instead, they teamed up, ganged up on Him, and put Him on the cross.

Despite all these tragedies, Jesus still claims that His kingship has defeated every kingdom on earth. He claims supreme rulership over every earthly king. The Scripture calls Him King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16). What a claim! Well, if Jesus met the earthly kings today and told them that He is their King, how would they react? Of course, they must tremble and worship Him.

If Jesus and Kabaka Ronald, Rwot Acana, or King Oyo Rukiidi stood in front of the people, whom would the subjects worship? How does traditional or cultural authority affect people’s response to the gospel? My tribe is working to re-establish and restore the traditional kingdom, and my background is not too far from the royal establishment. Therefore, this is not merely an academic question for me. It is a personal and spiritual question: Can we honour Jesus Christ as King while also honouring our Rwot (King)?

I believe we can honour an earthly king without making him our ultimate king. A traditional king may have cultural authority, but his authority is limited. He is a human being, subject to death, just like every other person. Christ, however, is not merely another king among kings. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Earthly kings are buried, their kingdoms change, and their thrones pass to others. But Christ’s throne is eternal (Philippians 2:9-11).

Therefore, Christians can respect and honour their traditional kings as cultural authorities while reserving worship, ultimate allegiance, and lordship for Jesus Christ alone (1 Peter 2:17). The question is not whether we can have a king besides Jesus. The question is whether we know the difference between honouring a king and worshipping the King of kings.


John Bosco. 

Nimule

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