“My friends. You bow to no one!” At the end of “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” the newly returned king, Aragorn, had just been crowned. As he walked among his subjects and allies they all bowed to him in recognition of his authority. When he came to the Hobbits, the humble people of the Shire who had played a key role in the defeat of the evil Sauron, he stopped them from bowing with those words, and then bent his own knee in humility before them. The returned king willingly humbled himself before the small and insignificant.

Note the similarity of that scene with the actions of David as he returned to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom. As he was preparing to return he saw how the whole nation was bowing before him, eager for his return. The he realized that his own tribe, Judah, was apparently waiting to bow before him as he reentered Jerusalem. The needed to take the lead and join in the return of their King. He sent messengers to the priests and leaders in Jerusalem asking the elders of Judah: “Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house?” (2 Samuel 19:11). Calling them his brothers, his flesh and blood, David asked to be brought back in as their returning king. Rather than coming back as conqueror he needed to be invited to return as king (2 Samuel 19:12).

When Aragorn bowed to the Hobbits it got everyone’s attention. When David spoke to Judah through the leaders with a request instead of an order it got their attention as well. Quickly they realized the need to step up and reunite the kingdom so they unanimously sent word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants.” (2 Samuel 19:14). All Judah met him at the Jordan River and escorted the king back into Jerusalem and led the way in reuniting the nation (2 Samuel 19:15).

That humbled king points us to the cross and King Jesus who was also not ashamed to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:11).The King who bowed His head on the cross and sacrificed Himself for us was raised and returned to glory and honor (Hebrews 2:9). And that same King humbly asks us sinners, who like Judah have joined in rebellion against Him, to invite Him back in to reign as our King so we can join in His glory (Hebrews 2:10). We’re all small and insignificant, including you, and the King is patiently waiting at your heart’s door. Won’t you invite Him in?