Rejoice in the King! (Mark 11:1–11)

CPT: Jesus is the coming king in humility and majesty.

Purpose: Embrace the kingdom of God and rejoice in their king.

CPS: Rejoice in the king who is all-knowing, humble, and worthy of our praise!

Rejoice in the all-knowing king.

Rejoice in the humble king.

Rejoice in the worthy king.

Introduction

Attention

As we gather, we are in the middle of a literal storm. Hurricane Hillary is coming through San Diego.

The forecasters have said the heaviest portion of the storm will hit us between 3 PM and 6 PM.

After service, we will cut our fellowship early so we can all head home safely. Please drive carefully on the road.

About 200 flights were canceled that were scheduled to fly into San Diego. The Navy sent 10 warships from San Diego to sea to ride out the storm.

This is what many are describing as a once-in-a-lifetime storm.

The last time San Diego took a direct hit from a tropical storm was in 1939, when Franklin Roosevelt was president.

We are reminded that the Lord is with us in the storm. But that only matters if the Lord is in control. That only matters if the Lord is king.

We are in Mark 11. Up to this portion, the Lord has been describing his kingdom.

The Lord has given multiple descriptions of his kingdom - how to enter the kingdom, how to lead in his kingdom

Now he will show us the qualities of his role as King

Scripture Reading

Mark 11:1–11 CSB

1 When they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here right away.’ ” 4 So they went and found a colt outside in the street, tied by a door. They untied it, 5 and some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They answered them just as Jesus had said; so they let them go. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their clothes on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven! 11 He went into Jerusalem and into the temple. After looking around at everything, since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Pray

The prophets said that the Messiah would be a king like David.

This story reminds us of a story with David in 2 Samuel 6 where David brings the ark into Jerusalem.

Like that one, this story also says that God is with us, and the King is here.

In this text, we see several qualities of Jesus as king, and why we should rejoice in his kingship.

First,

Rejoice in the all-knowing King. (Mark 11:1-3)

Verses: Mark 11:1-3

Mark 11:1–3 CSB

1 When they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here right away.’ ”

Jesus approaches Jerusalem at Bethpage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives

He is right outside of Jerusalem, heading to the cross

The Lord has given multiple prophecies of his upcoming death and resurrection

The Lord describes to his disciples what they will see ahead

The Lord was never surprised by something in his life

The Lord shows his omniscience - an attribute of God

Psalm 139:1–6 CSB

1 Lord, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up; you understand my thoughts from far away. 3 You observe my travels and my rest; you are aware of all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord. 5 You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me. 6 This wondrous knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.

The Lord showed these attributes in his ministry: John 2:25, Jesus “himself knew what was in man.”

Psalmist, you observe my travels, Jesus saw Nathaniel before he was called, John 1:48-49 “48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered. 49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!””

Verse 1, Lord, you have searched me and known me - Jesus with the Samaritan woman, John 4:39 “39 Now many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me everything I ever did.””

Verse 2, You understand my thoughts from far away, Mark 9:33-37, Jesus understood the disciples argument about who was the greatest without them telling him; Jesus predicted Peter would deny him three times

Before the word is on your tongue, he knows all about it, Mark 11:3 “3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here right away.’ ””

Nothing ever surprised Jesus, meaning he was never caught off guard. He knew what would happen and what was inside people.

Illustrate: There is a current argument over artificial intelligence. AI is trying to learn like a human, and encompass all human knowledge.

If you take all of human knowledge, it will never compare to the knowledge of God.

Apply

God knows who you are on the inside.

Jesus as the all-knowing king, looked at the young rich ruler, knowing what was in his heart, and it says in Mark 10:21, “21 Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.””

Jesus’ omniscience means we don’t hide anything from him. We come, we repent, and we rejoice in our King who loves us.

Rejoice in the all-knowing king.

Second,

Rejoice in the humble King.

Verses: Mark 11:4-7

Mark 11:4–7 CSB

4 So they went and found a colt outside in the street, tied by a door. They untied it, 5 and some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They answered them just as Jesus had said; so they let them go. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and he sat on it.

Recap of Mark 11:4-7

There is special significance to Jesus coming on a colt, a young donkey.

Kings rode on horses to display their victory and power. Roman emperors often rode on horses during processions, triumphs, and military parades. Pharaohs often depicted on horse-drawn chariots or horses during military campaigns.

Jesus’ entry as King into Jerusalem was an act of his power, but his choice was a display of his quality as king.

The choice of a colt is a declaration of his position as Messiah by fulfilling prophecy from the prophet Zechariah in Zechariah 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 CSB

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The king in the prophecy is humble and riding on a donkey (colt)

Term for humble: characterized by humility, also a poor person, afflicted, without possessions or wealth

Reminder of 2 Cor. 8:9 “9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”

Notice also that he is righteous and victorious

His appearance in Jerusalem is a reason to rejoice

Also, Jesus allows us on the journey with him

The owners of the colt allowed it to go with Jesus, using what God had given them in the ministry of Christ

The Lord owns everything, Psalm 24:1

Psalm 24:1 CSB

1 The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord;

In his humility, the Lord doesn’t claim what’s rightfully his. Instead, he allows us on the journey to participate in the ministry with him through the time, talents, and treasures he has blessed us with.

My wife and I both met in high school. We were art majors at a specialized high school in NYC for music, art, and the performing arts.

We were taught to carefully observe things to draw them and create artwork with them. The more you look at creation, the more you see the details, the more you want to create.

We didn’t make creation, God did. God gave us minds to create and to make things.

The humility of God to allow us to create, to enjoy his blessings.

The humility of Christ brought him in Phil. 2:7-8 “7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.”

His humility is the humility we follow in serving him

Rejoice in the humble king

Apply

Rejoice in the all-knowing king.

Rejoice in the humble king.

Transition

Rejoice in the worthy King.

Verses: Mark 11:8-11

Mark 11:8–11 CSB

8 Many people spread their clothes on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven! 11 He went into Jerusalem and into the temple. After looking around at everything, since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Recap of Mark 11:8-11

What is the significance of clothes (garments) on the road?

In 2 Kings 9, there is a story of the prophet Elisha and an army commander named Jehu. The Lord tells Elisha to anoint the army commander Jehu as king of Israel. The prophet calls Jehu inside a house, and inside the house Elisha anoints Jehu as the next king of Israel. When he comes out, the servants want to know what the prophet told him. When they find out that it was to anoint him king, it said in 2 Kings 9:13

2 Kings 9:13 CSB

13 Each man quickly took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. They blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”

The people of Israel showed understood the significance of this entrance, as the one anointed Messiah, the king of Israel, was coming.

They spread garments at the feet of the king to welcome him

Similarly, the branches were a cultural symbol of victory. John 12:13 “13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. It was a celebration of the king.

Listen to their shouts. Mark 11:9-10 “9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

The word “Hosanna” is a cry from Psalm 118:25

Psalm 118:25 CSB

25 Lord, save us! Lord, please grant us success!

They were right to praise him. A claim of Jesus to divinity is that he accepts worship. In Matt 2:11, the Magi worshipped Jesus. In John 9:38, a blind man who was healed worshipped Jesus. In Matt. 28:9, the women at the tomb worshipped him. In John 20:28, Thomas called Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” a statement of worship. Jesus is worthy of our praise.

The Lord would fulfill the mission of their cry. The Lord would save. But they misunderstood his kingdom.

You don’t enter the kingdom through worldly means. You enter the kingdom of God because, “Hosanna!” - Lord save us, the King has saved you!

Philharmonic Orchestra at Lincoln Center in NYC, symphonies would fill the room, you would feel it

The talents of the musicians, and the orchestra conductor… but the praise was from how the music resonated within you

The Lord is worthy of praise not just because he is all-powerful and all-knowing

Not just because he makes beautiful creations

The King, the Lord Jesus, is worthy of our praise because his salvation resonates within us

The King answers when we say, Hosanna, Lord save us!

We rejoice from deep within, because once I was lost, but now I’m found in Jesus, he is worthy from deep within us of our praise

Conclusion

Rejoice in the all-knowing king.

Rejoice in the humble king.

Rejoice in the worthy king.

Conclude

Prayer

Last Song

Doxology

Numbers 6:24–26 CSB

24 “May the Lord bless you and protect you; 25 may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” ’

Jude 24–25 CSB

24 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.

You are dismissed. Have a great week in the Lord!