Is Jesus King?
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Video Intro
Read Luke 19:28-48
Historical and Cultural Relevance
Historical and Cultural Relevance
The Triumphal Entry is mentioned in all four Gospels.
Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-26; Luke 19:28-48; John 12:12-26
This historical event highlights four primary elements that have both historical and cultural significance.
A Mountain
A Donkey
A Prophecy
A Temple
A Mountain – Mt. Olivet, also known as the Mount of Olives
The first mention of the Mt. of Olives is in the Old Testament when David flees from Absalom’s conspiracy (2 Sam. 15:30).
Solomon chose this mountain for constructing “high places” for foreign gods (1 Kings 11:7), which were later destroyed by King Josiah (2 Kings 23:13).
Ezekiel 11:23presents a vision of the glory of God departing from the temple and resting on the Mount of Olives.
Zechariah 14:4 records one of the more famous prophecies concerning the end times: “In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.”
During Jesus’ final week, He spent His evenings there (Luke 21:37)
After the Last Supper, He went there to pray (Mark 14:26)
He was betrayed and arrested there (Mark 14:43-52).
He ascended into Heaven from Mount Olivet (Acts 1:12).
A Donkey
Referred to as a beast of burden (Gen 45:23).
They are riding animals for leaders and nobility (Judg. 10:4; 12:14).
They symbolized wealth (Gen 12:16; Job 1:3).
It was permitted to rest on the Sabbath (Deut 5:14).
They were utilized by kings and became a symbol of royalty (1 Kings 1:33-41).
Riding a donkey instead of a warhorse symbolized the promotion of peace over military conquest.
A Prophecy
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9, is just one of over 350 prophecies which Christ would fulfill.
A Temple
This is the second temple, also known as Herod’s Temple.
Jesus drove people out of the temple who were selling their goods twice.
This temple, along with Jerusalem, was destroyed in A.D. 70 by a Roman general named Titus.
Over 600,000 Jews would lose their lives, and many would be enslaved.
Events In This Account
Events In This Account
This section of scripture contains Eight main events.
Command to fetch the donkey.
• Road lined with coats and palm branches.
• Worship breaks out!
“Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!”
The Pharisees become upset with the crowd, as noted in Luke 19:40.
40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”
Jesus weeps over the city.
The Greek verb for weep means to cry freely and profusely due to sadness or distress. For example:
But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb;
Jesus foretells the city's ruin.
• Jesus cleanses the temple.
Luke 19:45, drives them out
Matthew and Mark both state that Jesus overturned tables while driving them out.
12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.
In John 2, Jesus not only flipped tables but also made a whip and drove them out.
This may not sound like the character of Jesus; after all, didn’t He say in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the gentle (meek), for they shall inherit the earth”?
In a biblical context, meekness is not weakness or submissiveness; rather, it is strength under control.
Jesus was probably not the frail little figure they often depict in movies.
Jesus was a carpenter; he would have had muscles and rough hands.
Jesus dedicated time to teaching in the temple each day.
History and events are great! But how does this passage of scripture apply to us today?
How Does This Apply to You and Me?
How Does This Apply to You and Me?
When we read through this account, we encounter two types of reactions to Jesus. After all these years, we can still have two responses toward our Savior.
1. Fickle Worshipers
2. Faithful Worshipers
Fickle Worshipers
Fickle Worshipers
Fickle means being inconsistent or unstable.
In this passage there are three different types of Fickle Worshipers.
The Miracle Group
The Miracle Group
(Verse 37) Praise only for miracles.
So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”
How many of us are in this camp?
We love to praise and worship Jesus when things align with our expectations. We offer Him praise when we witness miracles and blessings.
But when prayers seem unanswered or things start to go south, what is our reaction? WHERE IS JESUS WHEN I NEED HIM! DOESN’T HE CARE?
Do we still praise Him regardless of the situation?
The Hosanna Group (aka the Sunday worship group)
The Hosanna Group (aka the Sunday worship group)
Hosanna! - which means “God save us!” Then comes Monday!
If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
These are people who are happy with their fire insurance.
I am saved, I go to church, but don’t ask me to do Jesus stuff during the week.
The week is mine to do what I want, then I will give Jesus my one hour on Sunday.
The Sin Isn’t a Big Deal Group
The Sin Isn’t a Big Deal Group
After praising Jesus, these are the ones who, within just a few days, would be screaming, “Crucify Him!”
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.
All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.
When we persist in deliberate sin, we are spitting in the face of Jesus as if His sacrifice were not sufficient for you and me.
When we are like this, we are no different than the crowd that was screaming to crucify Him.
Faithful Worshipers
Faithful Worshipers
Like the Fickle Worshipers, this passage also provides three examples of Faithful Worshipers.
Simple Obedience Group
Simple Obedience Group
Disciples Obeyed Jesus’ Command. Verse 32 says, “So those who were sent went.”
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord.
(Time)
15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
There is no greater joy than obeying Jesus and watching Him work.
God is sovereign and knows all things. He takes joy in using us to fulfill His will in the lives of others. Are you willing to submit to Him in simple obedience?
Like the chorus of the old hymn, “Trust and obey, for there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”
When we trust and obey, we are being faithful worshipers.
Giving Group
Giving Group
The family of the donkey gave.
As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord has need of it.”
Remember, a donkey signified wealth, and yet this family willingly gave their riches to Jesus. They didn’t send an old donkey, a horse, or a camel; they provided Jesus with exactly what He asked for.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver.
Are you willing to be like the family of the donkey and give whatever resources God asks for?
This is a sign of a Faithful Worshiper.
Hungry for God’s Word Group
Hungry for God’s Word Group
for all the people were hanging on to every word He said.
Are you hungry for God’s Word? Do you seek to spend time with Him daily?
Isaiah reminds us that God’s word last forever.
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
Looking for direction and guidance on life decisions?
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Struggling with sin in your life? There is a solution.
Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
People who spend time in God’s word and “hang on to every word He says,” like the people who Christ taught here in this passage, fall into the group of Faithful Worshipers.
Which Group Are You?
Which Group Are You?
I titled this morning’s sermon “Is Jesus King?” with a question mark. The answer to that question depends on which of the two groups you belong to: the Fickle or the Faithful Worship group.
My guess is that most of us are both at different times in our lives.
But we don’t have to be both.
God desires to be worshiped faithfully.
Easter is a reminder to you and me that He died, was buried, and rose again so that we who are believers can worship Him faithfully in Spirit and in Truth, as it says in John 4.
Let us all be faithful in our worship.
Let’s Pray
