The Power of the Servant King

Introduction (5m)

What do you expect a King or Queen to look like? Can you tell the monarchs from the ordinary people in these photographs?

King Mswati III of Swaziland

King Philippe of Belgium

Prince Albert II of Monaco

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

King Harald V of Norway

King Charles III

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

King Maha Vajirlongkorn of Thailand

Would you expect a King to ride a donkey or a warhorse?

Photo of donkey and warhorse

Why?

Explanation (5m)

At the time of Jesus, a King or ruler could ride either a horse or a donkey

Huge battle horse - come to conquer, subjugate, exercise power.

Donkey - come in peace.

Jesus rode donkey to show he was a king but a king that came in peace.

Many in the crowd who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem would have been expecting or hoping for a conquering King

Free them from Roman occupation.

Free them from self-promoting monarchy of Herod.

Hosanna - Save Us, Lord

Psalm 118:25–26 NLT

Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.

Cry to God in midst of insecurity. Penned in by enemies, swarming about him like bees.

Many people looking for a King who would make the lives better

Independence, saving materially and physically.

But Jesus had not come as a military, conquering King

Jesus had come as a servant King

Not to overthrow Romans but to demonstrate reign and love of God.

Would do this by dying on a cross.

Matthew 20:28 NLT

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Emptied himself, made himself nothing for us.

The paradox is that although Jesus came as the servant King, he was also a conquering King

His death and resurrection conquered sin and death for ever.

It set us free to enter his gates with thankful hearts.

Psalm 118:19 NLT

Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord.

Application (5m)

Imagine yourselves on the roadside into Jerusalem that day

What would it have been like to welcome Jesus into the city on that first Palm Sunday?

Filled with excitement. Hopes of freedom. Pulled along by the crowd. Exuberant atmosphere. Everyone singing and shouting, “Hosanna”!

How would you answer the question, Who is this?

Now imagine yourself in a different crowd just a few days later

Shouting “Crucify”!

Now how would you answer the question, Who is this?

It is important for us to know who Jesus is. This King who comes as both servant and conqueror

It’s the key to unlocking the power of our own lives as we live in the promise of his victory over sin and death and seek to live the servant’s life he led.

Next Steps

SB 158 - Who is he in yonder stall

Who is he in yonder stall, At whose feet the shepherds fall? ?Tis the Lord! O wondrous story, ?Tis the Lord, the King of Glory! At his feet we humbly fall, Crown him, crown him Lord of all! 2 Who is he in deep distress, Fasting in the wilderness? 3 Who is he to whom they bring All the sick and sorrowing? 4 Who is he on yonder tree Dies in grief and agony? 5 Who is he who from the grave Comes to succour, help and save? 6 Who is he who from his throne Rules through all the worlds alone? Benjamin Russell Hanby (1833-1867) Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 135015 Copied from The Song Book of The Salvation Army Song Number 158