Pomp and Circumstance

Background to passage: Sometimes called the Christ Hymn, it’s Paul’s passage about the person of Jesus, his incarnation/humiliation, death, and exaltation. Since today is Palm Sunday, I want to look at one aspect of the entrance of Jesus into the city - his kingship. At least some of the Jews understood him to be the long-awaited Messiah, the King of the Jews. They may not have understood what the Kingship of Jesus meant, but they welcomed him nevertheless.

Philippians 2:5–11 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Opening illustration: In Gladiator, the return of Commodus after the death of Marcus Aurelius, or the coronation of King Charles III, the number of countries with coronations in the last 50 years: Britain, Netherlands, Belgium, Thailand, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia

Main thought: This morning, looking through the events of Palm Sunday, let’s look at who King Jesus truly was.

1) He Was a Humble King (v. 6-8)

Philippians 2:6–8 ESV

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

1) He Was a Humble King (v. 6-8)

Explanation: It was an odd entrance for a king on that Palm Sunday. The people had long awaited a king, a King of the Jews, the Messiah or Christ, the chosen One. This is demonstrated by the clothing on the ground and the palm branches. But what do we make of a king who arrives in style on a donkey? He is a king who is willing to condescend and be among his people. He is a king that has not elevated himself, or arrived as a conquering victor, but as a God who became man, who became a servant, who became a sacrifice for the sin of humanity. He was the King of peace after Melchizedek,

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Mark 10:45 ESV

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

Illustration: I had a conversation with one of our members the other day who comes in contact with people every week, every day, who are convinced that God is angry with them because they failures. “Messiah is king of Zion. Happy the subjects who dwell under his shadow. He rules them not with the rod of iron by which He bruises and breaks the power of his enemies, but with his golden sceptre of love. He reigns by his own right, and by their full and free consent, in their hearts. He reigns upon a throne of grace to which they at all times have access, and from whence they receive the pardon of all their sins, grace to help in time of need, and a renewed supply answerable to all their wants, cares, services, and conflicts”

Application: What you need to know from this is God became man so that he could die for you. He could take that which you earned on the cross. He is a king who loves you more than you know. His death is the testimony of his love for you. You can approach this King because he has lived among us, experienced pain, suffering, temptation, heartbreak, and know that he identifies with you. He wants you to come to him. He desires a relationship with you that is personal and intimate, not as a distant potentate and ruler who is aloof from his followers. He wants you to come boldly to the “throne” of this humble king and bring your requests and yourself to find rest for your souls, because this king came and conquered sin so he could conquer hearts

2) He is Now the King of Kings (v. 9-11)

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2) He is Now the King of Kings (v. 9-11)

Explanation: Here we see the exaltation of King Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. He has been given the name that every knee with bow to, every tongue confess that He is Lord to the Glory of God the Father. “highly exalted” means to “super-elevate.” He is both a humble king and an exalted king. He is intimate and transcendent. He is near to you and far above you. He rules everything we know. He commands absolute authority. He requires absolute allegiance.

Revelation 1:12–16 ESV

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Revelation 19:11–16 ESV

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Illustration: Piper quote, Sex and The Supremacy of God, pp. 38-41

Application: His royal majesty commands worship, respect, awe, humility, maybe even fear. Every earthly king does not compare. His reign is for our benefit as he is wise and good. We treat him as though he our BFF. He is not your bud, the big guy, the man upstairs, he is the King! And he is King to the glory of God the Father. God will not share his glory with idols, with men, with creation, with any other power or authority. Therefore we must stop bowing down to them.

Closing illustration:

S. M. Lockridge’s “That’s My King!”

He’s the King of the Jews He’s the King of Israel He’s the King of Righteousness He’s the King of the Ages He’s the King of Heaven He’s the King of Glory He’s the King of Kings and He is the Lord of Lords Now that’s my King!

David says The Heavens declare the glory of God And the firmament shows His handiwork No means of measure can define His limitless love No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing He’s enduringly strong He’s entirely sincere He’s eternally steadfast He’s immortally graceful He’s imperially powerful He’s impartially merciful That’s my King!

He’s God’s Son He’s the sinners’ Savior He’s the centerpiece of civilization He stands alone in Himself He’s unique He’s unparalleled He’s unprecedented He’s supreme He’s pre-eminent He’s the loftiest idea in literature He’s the highest personality in philosophy He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism He’s the fundamental doctrine in true theology He’s the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion That’s my King!

He’s the miracle of the age He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously He supplies strength for the weak He’s available for the tempted and the tried He sympathizes and He saves He guards and He guides He heals the sick He cleansed the lepers He forgives sinners He discharges debtors He delivers the captives He defends the feeble He blesses the young He serves the unfortunate He regards the aged He rewards the diligent And He beautifies the meek

Do you know Him? My King is the key of knowledge He’s the wellspring of wisdom He’s the doorway of deliverance He’s the pathway of peace He’s the roadway of righteousness He’s the highway of holiness He’s the gateway of glory He’s the master of the mighty He’s the captain of the conquerors He’s the head of the heroes He’s the leader of the legislators He’s the overseer of the overcomers He’s the governor of governors He’s the prince of princes He’s the King of Kings And He’s the Lord of Lords That’s my King His office is manifold His promise is sure His life is matchless His goodness is limitless His mercy is everlasting His love never changes His word is enough His grace is sufficient His reign is righteous His yoke is easy and His burden is light I wish I could describe Him to you He’s indescribable He’s incomprehensible He’s invincible He’s irresistible I’m trying to tell you The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him Let alone a man explain Him You can’t get Him out of your mind You can’t get Him off of your hands You can’t outlive Him And you can’t live without Him The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him but they found out they couldn’t stop Him Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree And Herod couldn’t kill Him Death couldn’t handle Him And the grave couldn’t hold Him That’s my King!

He always has been And He always will be I’m talking about He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor There was nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign That’s my King!

Praise the Lord That’s my King Thine is the Kingdom And the power And the glory The glory is all His For ever And ever And ever And when you get through with all of the forevers Then Amen

John 12:19 ESV

19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”