My favorite part of going to a theater to watch movies in Thailand is not the blasting air conditioning or the insanely comfortable and plush reclining seats I get to sit in. My favorite part comes after all the commercials and previews are done when they play a song in honor of Thailand’s king while showing pictures of his life and service in Thailand.
I get goosebumps every time, and I’m not ashamed to admit that a few times I’ve gotten a bit teary-eyed. It never ceases to amaze me how the Thai people know how to honor their king. They love him, they are faithfully devoted to him and they hold him in the highest reverence possible. It is partly for this reason that I often feel like the Thai people are a step ahead of us when they come to know God; Not only are they very much in tune with the realities of the spiritual realm, but they know the concept of kingship.
They know reverence and holy fear. If only we in our irreverent Western tendencies could grasp onto this and integrate it into our relationships with God.
I just hosted my brother Josh and his friend Buddy for a few weeks of adventures in Thailand. For part of that time, we had the privilege of going down to Krabi to visit my friends Doc and Zina Docto of Muay Thai Missions, to experience the south of Thailand and get a little bit of Muay Thai training (which, incidentally, I loved).
We were hanging out after lunch one day, and this concept of kingship came up. Doc got teary as he shared a similar experience to mine in the movie theaters. He was in a mall one day when the King of Thailand made a public appearance, and Doc joined with every single person in the mall to watch this appearance on television.
As he watched the crowds of Thai people bow and cry in front of the television, he experienced reverence lived out, and felt a new and holy fear for God. As this new understanding of the status and holiness of his King, the King of Kings, permeated him, Doc also realized that our King wants to be loved and revered, but also longs to draw near to us. So much so that Jesus humbled Himself and was and always is willing to wash our feet, the dirtiest part of us. Such a love.
I know that it is this love that envelops me daily, and compels me to pour out love on the Thai people in Pattaya. The Thai people understand reverence, but will they allow Jesus to draw close to their hearts, to come into even the darkest and dirtiest parts of them? Will they allow Him to wash their feet, and thus understand the greatness and fullness of His love for them? I pray so.
And I pray that as our King pursues their hearts and ministers in love, that they will know an intimate relationship with their holy and beautiful King.
Jessica Mock is a missionary in Pattaya, Thailand. In addition to her Muay Thai skills, Jessica is a minister and worship leader with True Friend Fellowship. You can read more about her work at www.jessicamock.com.
