The King Is Here

I don’t know if any of you like to be told what to do. And not just that, but we

don’t like to be told what we can’t do either. Whether or not this following

statement carries any merit to it, I think there may be at the very least, a hint of

truth in it. Here it is: “Americans are arrogant.”

Now stay with me here. Don’t jump all the way across the ocean to conclusions

when we are just simply dipping our toes in the water. Americans are arrogant.

Arrogance is defined as such: “having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's

own importance or abilities.”

There is no example more revealing of this than an important event that occurred

on July 4th, 1776. At this time, the United States of America was just being born.

The Declaration of Independence was an act of Treason against the royal crown.

Some even refer to July 4th as Treason Day. And on what basis, did our founding

fathers stand firm upon as their reason to commit such an act? It all goes back to

these words found in that treasonous document.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”

Now why in the world would that cause such offense? King George and kings that

had preceded him believed they had supreme authority granted to them by God.

This meant that kings themselves, although the enforcers and overseers of the

laws, were not held accountable to them. They didn’t see themselves as under the

law, but over it. This is called Absolutism. The King had the supreme authority.

And our founding fathers and the citizens of the thirteen colonies saw some

egregious flaws in that worldview. They had become so tired of the monarchy’s

abuse of its power over them, that they drafted the Declaration that included all

their grievances against the crown and its authority. Yes, indeed, we could be

viewed as arrogant. For what could the meager 13 colonies do against the British

Crown? Well, it turns out, we accomplished far more than those living in that day

would have expected.We are a people that have in our bones a bit of that rebel spirit that resided in the

hearts of our founding fathers. So, are we arrogant? I’ll leave that up to you to

decide. But part of the American spirit, is taking on challenges that may seem way

beyond our capabilities to overcome or see through, but we try anyway. There are

some very redeeming qualities in that sentiment. However, there are also

drawbacks as I’m sure we are all aware. One of those drawbacks, is that we don’t

like the idea of kingship. We don’t like kings for very much the same reason the

early Americans didn’t like kings in the 18th century. We are a country

characterized and shaped by self-rule and individualism. Now, I want to make

clear that I am not saying these things are inherently bad…only that they can be

bad in how we choose to apply these principles and live them out.

The resistance toward authority is not just an American thing. It’s a human thing.

Just ask any parent in the United States or abroad if resistance toward authority is

innate or rather something that only develops once their child is full grown. I’ve

got three little ones at home right now, and I can tell you, they couldn’t tell you

anything about a revolution or absolutism or the Declaration of Independence,

but, at times, one may think that at some point in their day, they all huddle

together and take out their ink and feather quills and draft up their grievances and

then act out their disapproval in the most revolutionary of ways. It’s not an

American problem. It’s not a British problem. It’s not a Russian problem, or a

Tunisian problem, just fill in the blank. It’s a sin problem and it has resided in

human hearts from the very beginning in the garden.

You’ve heard me say the word Messiah, a lot, especially the last couple of weeks

as we approach Easter. I’ve said phrases such as, “Jesus is the promised Messiah.”

What does the word Messiah mean? It is a transliteration of the Hebrew word

Masiah which means, anointed one. Who were the typical recipients of anointing

in the Old Testament? Kings. For the Jews, this meaning wouldn’t have escaped

them, especially when it came to the fulfillment of the prophecies that pointed to

a coming ruling authority. Let’s look at what the prophet Isaiah said.

Isaiah 9:3-7

You have multiplied the nation;

you have increased its joy;they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

For the yoke of his burden,

and the staff for his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult

and every garment rolled in blood

will be burned as fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

And from this, the Jews had a caricature of what this Messiah would be like. He

was going to rule on the throne of David. Now, in order for us to get a Jewish

perspective of the coming Messiah, we need to know their perspective on the

throne of David. We need to understand that, in the Old Testament, the Kingdom

of God was synonymous with the kingdom of Israel. And we know that Israel had

asked for a king and so God began choosing kings starting with Saul who was

anointed by the prophet Samuel. And when Saul wasn’t cutting it as King material,

God chose David to be king. And it was David who assumed the throne of the

kingdom of Israel which had been referred to in subsequent history as the Throne

of David.

But as Scripture tells us, The Kingdom of Israel began a cycle of following God for a

time, and then falling away until it came to a point where God had had enough.Ezekiel 21:24-27

24 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you have made your guilt to be

remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your deeds

your sins appear—because you have come to remembrance, you shall be taken in

hand. 25 And you, O profane wicked one, prince of Israel, whose day has come,

the time of your final punishment, 26 thus says the Lord God: Remove the turban

and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low,

and bring low that which is exalted. 27 A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it. This also

shall not be, until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it

to him.

This was a prophecy given prior to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by

the Babylonians. This led to what is known as the Babylonian captivity. And so the

kingdom of God was estranged from their home, and their sense of identity was

challenged at every step. However, there was one who was prophesied to come

and take back the throne of David.

Isaiah 16:5

then a throne will be established in steadfast love,

and on it will sit in faithfulness

in the tent of David

one who judges and seeks justice

and is swift to do righteousness.”

Amos 9:11

“In that day I will raise up

the booth of David that is fallen

and repair its breaches,

and raise up its ruins

and rebuild it as in the days of old,

Now let’s move ahead to the New Testament and take a look at what the angel

Gabriel told Mary regarding the birth of Jesus.Luke 1:32

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God

will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house

of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Now in the days of Jesus’ ministry, we can better understand the anticipation that

was welling up inside of the Jews for their coming king. This brings us to our text

for today. The event we will engage with today marks the day that we now refer to

as Palm Sunday. This is the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus, the

promised Messiah is making his entrance into the city of Jerusalem, an event that

was long ago prophesied about.

Matthew 21:1-3

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of

Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front

of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie

them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The

Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”

Imagine you’re the disciples that Jesus asks to fetch this donkey. You might think,

at first, “hey, I’m not so sure about this. Might there be a better way to acquire

this donkey?”

Now, if you’re anything like me, I am overly conscious about others. I’ll ask myself

questions such as, “how will my actions make someone feel?” “How will the

words I say affect what they think?” Now I fail at the application of this at times

because I’m sinful. But I deeply care for people and, in anything I undertake, my

default is to think about how my actions or words may affect someone. But there

comes a time that, when God asks us to do something, we simply obey. There’s no

need to weigh the potential thoughts of the owner of the donkey or drafting legal

documentation to secure the rights to acquire the donkey. No, Jesus says, “if

anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord Needs them.’What a bold a bold command to make, to both the disciples and the owner of the

donkey. But this is the King. And when the King speaks, we obey.

This very event of acquiring the donkey was a fulfillment of a prophecy in the Old

Testament.

Matthew 21:4-6

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,

‘Behold, your king is coming to you,

humble, and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.

Why a donkey? Now, besides fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy, I remember being

taught my entire childhood that Jesus arriving on a donkey was to show humility.

But in fact, this is not the case.

Donald Nash, in his commentary writes,

“Some might think it was a humiliating situation for Jesus to ride on a beast of

burden in what was supposed to be a victory march to the temple of God in the

Holy City. Then they will explain this as Him choosing to do so to show His

humility. Not so!! The donkey was a highly respected animal in Judaism and the

mid-east. The sons of the Judges used them royally. Judges 10:4 “And he had

thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, and they had thirty cities, called Havvoth-

jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead.” David’s mule was given as an

honor to Solomon to ride upon at the son’s coronation. Such donkeys were one of

the chief assets in the property of the wealthy. The instruction that no one should

have ridden upon the colt to the two disciples was important for in such a case

the beast of burden would not be fit for such a sacred purpose.”Mark 11:2

2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you

enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it.

Luke 19:30

30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a

colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here.

Do you see what is being described here? Not only is a donkey viewed as luxury,

but we are looking at the epitome of luxury. Not only is Jesus asking for a donkey,

but he is asking for one that has never been saddled. It is that luxury car that has 0

miles on it, and it has no price tag on it, because it doesn’t belong to anyone

except for one person. No doubt, this donkey was not fit for just any king, but the

King of kings.

And some of you may ask, well what about this word “humble?” This word,

humble, is translated from the Greek word “praus” (prah-oos). It can be translated

three ways: meek, gentle, or humble. What the gospel writers are portraying to us

is the contrast between the expectation the Jews had for their Messiah and the

Messiah they received.

Remember, the Jews were expecting a conquering King. In those days, whenever a

King would be arriving to town in preparation for battle, he would be mounted

upon a horse. This was the first indication that Jesus’s first coming was not beset

upon conquest or war as many had thought, but peace. That’s the picture we get

when we envision Jesus riding into Jerusalem.

Matthew 21:7-8

7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat

on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut

branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

And this is where we get the idea of Palm Sunday. The branches that were spoken

of were palm branches. Now what was the reason for doing this? Laying downone’s garments or cloaks is an act of deference or submission to royalty. It’s

saying, you have the ultimate authority. I’m going to give you the honor that is

due. Now, why did some lay down palm branches on the road? Palm branches

were a sign of victory, of triumph. This is why we also refer to Palm Sunday as the

“Triumphal Entry.”

And triumphal it was, but maybe not in the ways the people had imagined. You

see, this entrance would not have been covert or inconspicuous. It was quite the

opposite. It would have been loud, with the sounds of people rejoicing and

shouting. But this is quite interesting, because earlier in Jesus’ ministry, he could

have announced his identity to the masses as the Messiah, but he chose not to.

In Matthew 16 when Peter made the confession that Jesus is the Christ the Son of

the living God, Jesus told them not to tell anyone else about this. Why? It’s all a

matter of God’s timing. The world was not yet ready to have its Messiah revealed

to it. But the day had arrived. No longer is the Kingship of Jesus to be kept a

secret. Today is the day to rejoice and to lift up a shout for the King is here.

Matthew 21:9

9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!”

The word Hosanna is a Hebrew word meaning “Save Now”. And here this phrase is

used to praise Jesus’ arrival. Here’s our liberation! The Messiah is here. Our

salvation has come. Just remember that it’s not even a week later that we find

Jesus before Pontius Pilate. How quickly the shouts of adoration of Hosanna,

Hosanna in the highest turn to shouts of crucify him, crucify him!

At this observation, these people could only be described as fickle. And I use this

word fickle because I believe it to be an accurate representation of what occurred.

This is a word I used when writing a book report when I was in fourth grade. And I

got points taken off, because I had not cited my sources. Apparently, my teacher

didn’t think this was a word that I had in my vocabulary. And she was right. I had

copied a sentence right out of the book without citing it. At the time, I didn’t know

exactly what it meant. I just thought it made me sound smart. Fickle simply meanschanging frequently our loyalties and our affections. Today, as I use that word,

there is none so accurate as to describe the condition of the human heart.

Many of us have made New Year’s resolutions. How are we doing at those? I know

some days, I have plans for the next day, and it when that day comes, I get

engaged in something else. One day, I’m on fire for God and it feels like I’m

walking in step with the Spirit. Other days, when I’m a bit too harsh with my kids,

or a hint of bitterness envelopes my words when speaking with JJ out of

frustration, I stray off the path. Fickle is an accurate description of the human

heart. And I thank God for his mercies that are new to us every morning and that

his grace is abundant.

Piano to play here.

Matthew 21:10-11

10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is

this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of

Galilee.”

Of course, the answer to this question that was raised falls short, for Jesus is much

more than a prophet. He’s much more than a good teacher. He’s much more than

a moral example to follow. He’s much more than a miracle worker. I want to echo

the answer Peter gives when Jesus asks him, “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus is

the Christ, the Son of the living God. The King is here.

I want to end my message with this question. Knowing that Jesus is the King of

kings and the Lord of lords, how does your life reflect this reality? It’s one thing to

understand the concept of Jesus’ kingship. It is completely another to actually live

it out. And in the spirit of today’s message, let us not have our affections be

swayed by popular sentiment or have our loyalties change moment to moment as

if living as a spiritual chameleon, but let us remain steadfast and faithful to the

Word of God to the day we draw our least breath or the day He returns.