The Humble King

The King Is Here! Celebrating the Triumphant Entry

Bible Passage: Matthew 21:1-11

Summary: In Matthew 21:1-11, Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and signaling His kingship, as crowds welcome Him with praise and palm branches.

Application: This passage helps Christians understand the significance of recognizing Jesus as King in our lives, encouraging us to celebrate His presence and authority, even during difficult times. It teaches the importance of worship and our response to Jesus as our Savior.

Teaching: The sermon can teach the importance of acknowledging Jesus' kingship and how we can honor Him through our actions and words. It highlights the joy of welcoming Christ into our lives and communities.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, Christ is not just entering Jerusalem; He is fulfilling the prophecies of Zechariah and demonstrating His role as the true King and Savior. This theme of Jesus as the humble King recurs throughout Scripture, underscoring His purpose in coming to redeem humanity.

Big Idea: Recognizing and celebrating Jesus as our King transforms our worship and shapes our lives, guiding us to live in a way that honors His authority.

Recommended Study: As you prepare for this sermon in Logos, consider researching the Old Testament prophecies related to the Triumphal Entry, particularly Zechariah 9:9. This will help elucidate the significance of Jesus’ actions. Additionally, examine the cultural context of Palm Sunday to understand the crowd's response and the implications of Jesus’ choice of a donkey versus a horse.

1. Prophetic Preparation

Matthew 21:1-3

You could explore how Jesus instructing His disciples to find a donkey and a colt demonstrates His precise fulfillment of prophecy and His sovereignty. This act highlights Jesus’s deliberate presentation as the prophesied King in Zechariah. Acknowledge His divine authority in even the smallest details of life and see how His kingship is sovereign, intentional, and present in your personal journey.

2. Humble Fulfillment

Matthew 21:4-5

You could consider how Jesus’s entrance on a donkey fulfills the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, underscoring His identity as a humble yet regal King. This moment calls us to embrace humility in our own lives and recognize the deeper spiritual truths Jesus reveals about His kingship, reminding us of the gentle and peaceable way He reigns.

3. Joyful Acclamation

Matthew 21:6-9

Perhaps draw attention to the act of worship and recognition as the crowds lay their cloaks and branches, crying 'Hosanna!' This reflects the proper response to Christ’s authority. Encourage hearts to be open in worship, acknowledging Jesus as the true Savior who deserves our praise and our lives, just as the crowd celebrated His arrival.

4. Citywide Stirring

Matthew 21:10-11

Maybe discuss the reaction of the entire city, stirred by Christ’s arrival. This suggests the profound impact Jesus has on communities and lives. Challenge the congregation to consider how they recognize Jesus in their lives and communities today, contributing to the larger narrative of spreading His kingdom like the curious city did.