The Promised King: Palm Sunday

Introduction

A dying man gathered his Lawyer, Doctor and Pastor at his bed side and handed each of them an envelope containing $25,000 in cash. He made them each promise that after his death and during his repose, they would place the three envelops in his coffin. He told them that he wanted to have enough money to enjoy the next life. A week later the man died. At the Wake, the Lawyer and Doctor and Pastor, each concealed an envelop in the coffin and bid their old client and friend farewell. By chance, these three met several months later. Soon the Pastor, feeling guilty, blurted out a confession saying that there was only $10,000 in the envelop he placed in the coffin. He felt, rather than waste all the money, he would send it to a Mission in South America. He asked for their forgiveness. The Doctor, moved by the gentle Pastor’ss sincerity, confessed that he too had kept some of the money for a worthy medical charity. The envelop, he admitted, had only $8000 in it. He said, he too could not bring himself to waste the money so frivolously when it could be used to benefit others. By this time the Lawyer was seething with self-righteous outrage. He expressed his deep disappointment in the felonious behavior of two of his oldest and most trusted friends. I am the only one who kept his promise to our dying friend. I want you both to know that the envelop I placed in the coffin contained the full amount. Indeed, my envelope contained my personal check for the entire $25,000.

Making promises is something we do all the time. Some of us succeed, some of us fail, and some of us bend the rules to said promises.

When we look at our verses today we see that when God speaks His words come true!

Prophecy- OT. - 1. The Hebrew terms. The basic word for “prophet” in the OT is nāḇîʾ, which means “spokesman” or “speaker.” Essentially a prophet is a person authorized to speak for another, as Moses (Ex 7:1–2; Nu 12:1–8) and the OT prophets were authorized to speak for God.

Lawrence O. Richards, New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words: Based on the NIV and the NASB, Zondervan’s Understand the Bible Reference Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 505.

Lexham Theological Wordbook προφήτης

n. masc. prophet. A person inspired by God to reveal God’s purpose or will.

This word is the usual Septuagint translation of נָבִיא (nābîʾ, “prophet”)

to prophesy is simply to tell everyone what God had said. To speak on God’s behalf

The Jewish people knew the Prophecy of the Messiah. After so many centuries of captivities, conquers, and occupations they were completely ready for the King to free them from their bondage. They anxiously awaited anyone who would challenge Rome.

Matthew 21:1–11 (ESV)

1 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.” 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. 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. 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!” 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.”

“Palm Sunday teaches us the importance of humility and servanthood, as we follow Christ’s example of riding on a donkey, choosing the path of meekness over worldly glory.” — Charles Stanley.

I. Knowing what has been promised- vss. Matt. 21:1-3

A. Jesus’ Deity on display

Calming Storms, feeding thousands, walking on water, raising someone from the dead. As if we didn’t have enough evidence of Jesus being God, we see him here displaying His omniscience. Specifically knowing what situation the disciples would run into. Even to the detail of someone asking what they were doing taking the donkey. He fulfilled over 365 Messianic prophecies

B. It had to be a donkey

Jesus knew the Scripture, He knows what prophecy meant.

Why a donkey (foal)?

He came on a colt, as was customary for royalty. He came to Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace. (Guszik)

“If we assume that Matthew understood Hebrew, the full quotation affirms that Jesus rode on the ‘colt,’ not its mother. Mark and Luke say the animal was so young that it had never been ridden. In the midst, then, of this excited crowd, an unbroken animal remains calm under the hands of the Messiah who controls nature.” (Carson)

C. The True King

One of David’s sons, Adonijah, decides he wants to be king (1:5–10). He starts by forging two strategic relationships—one with the military leader, Joab, and one with the priestly leader, Abiathar. He gathers them for a private coronation party.

Alert readers know David had already appointed Solomon to be the next king (1 Chron. 23:1; 29:22). Adonijah’s power play, then, was a hostile takeover and a murderous threat to his rivals—his royal brother, Solomon, and his queen mother, Bathsheba. But even more, it was a threat to God’s promises. The Lord had promised David would have an enduring royal dynasty (2 Sam. 7:12–13), specifically through Solomon (1 Chron. 22:9–10).

David affirms his plans to crown Solomon (1:28–31) and moves into action (1:32–37). He summons Nathan, Zadok, and Benaiah—a godly prophet, a godly priest, and a godly adviser to the king.

David gives his royal mule (a sort of ancient Air Force One) to Solomon and parades him into Jerusalem from the Gihon Spring across the Kidron Valley. Solomon was anointed and enthroned in public with triumphant celebration. This is no secret self-exaltation like Adonijah’s private party, but God’s people publicly celebrating God’s king with a loud cheer (1:38–40). (Westerholm)

33 And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. 34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Ki 1:33–34.

English Standard Version (Chapter 1)

38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule and brought him to Gihon. 39 There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.

II. Where the Promise comes from- vss. Matt. 21:4-5

English Standard Version (Zechariah Chapter 9)

9  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.

III. The Promise Kept- Matt. 21:6-9

A. Humble King Jesus

Jesus came to Jerusalem in humility, yet with appropriate dignity. Instead of coming on a horse as a conquering general (Guszik)

English Standard Version (Isaiah Chapter 9)

6  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.

English Standard Version (John Chapter 18)

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

English Standard Version (Mark Chapter 1)

15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

English Standard Version (Luke Chapter 17)

20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

B. The Bridegroom

jewish culture of the Bridegrooms first visit

During the erusin period, the groom was to prepare a place for his bride, while the bride focused on her personal preparations:  wedding garments, lamps, etc.

Although the bride knew to expect her groom after about a year, she did not know the exact day or hour.  He could come earlier.  It was the father of the groom who gave final approval for him to return to collect his bride.

For that reason, the bride kept her oil lamps ready at all times, just in case the groom came in the night, sounding the shofar (ram’s horn) to lead the bridal procession to the home he had prepared for her.

IV. Promises to be fulfilled? Matt. 21:10-11

A. Prelude of what is to come

verses 10 & 11 show the reaction to the humble King Jesus as He enters the city. “Who is this?” and the news spread of He that they have heard of for years now enters as a King.

B. King Jesus the Conquerer

You see, what those who don’t see Jesus for who He is think that the Messiah still has not come.

The Jews rejected and killed Jesus and say they are still looking for the Messiah

The Muslims have barricaded/blocked up the only Eastern Gate left in Jerusalem, and have put a graveyard all along the eastern wall, knowing that the Messiah being a good Jewish follower will not make Himself unclean before He enters the temple. But the Messiah has already come, and entered the eastern gate, which refers to the inner most gates that were around the temple. Those are not there anymore (currently). But during the day of Jesus triumphal entry He did. And Cleansed the Temple of those desecrating His Father’s house.

No when Jesus comes again, He comes on the war horse to claim what is His and make everything new!!

We have to understand what the Bible has said about such events and even symbolized in the Jewish culture-

A Jewish wedding in Jesus’ day was showing what the return of the Messiah is going to look like.

The Bridegroom is coming again!! And there will be no mistaking who He is and what will be His intentions.

Zechariah 14:1–5 (ESV)

1 Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. 5 And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

9

Zechariah 14:9 (ESV)

9 And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.

What do YOU see?

Everyone who is listening right now has a choice and a chance to believe in faith that Jesus is the Lord.

Give the Gospel here

Do you see Him?

The only question you need to ask yourself for today is this- Do you see Him for who He is? Is He your King?

If he is- then BOW! Bow your head! Bow your knee! Bow your PRIDE! Bow your doubt! To Him whom all creation belongs!

(Revelation 19:11-16)

11 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. 12 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. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 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. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

I leave you with this: Crowder”s Crushing Snakes, Bridge & Ending

“Do you see him? King of Heaven

Champion of all creation

Eyes of fire, voice of thunder

Tearing through the sky in wonder

Dressed in light, we see him coming (racing through the sky)

On a horse that's white like lightning (breaking through the darkness)

Do you see him?

Do you see him?

Bow now before your King……

or it will be too late if you do when He comes next…