The Victorious Jesus: The King’s Glory

Intro

On December 4, 1977, in Bangui, capital of the Central African Empire, the world press witnessed the coronation of his Imperial Majesty, Bokassa I. The price tag for that one event, designed and choreographed by French designer Olivier Brice, was $25 million. At 10:10 A.M. that morning the blare of trumpets and the roll of drums announced the approach of His Majesty. The procession began with eight of Bokassa’s twenty-nine official children parading down the royal carpet to their seats. They were followed by Jean Bedel Bokassa II, heir to the throne, dressed in a white admiral’s uniform with gold braid. He was seated on a red pillow to the left of the throne. Catherine followed, the favorite of Bokassa’s nine wives. She was wearing a $73,000 gown made by Lanvin of Paris, strewn with pearls she had picked out herself. The emperor had arrived in a gold eagle-bedecked imperial coach drawn by six matched Anglo-Norman horses. He wore a thirty-two-pound robe decorated with 785,000 strewn pearls and gold embroidery. On his brow he wore a gold crown of laurel wreaths, like those worn by Roman consuls of old, a symbol of the favor of the gods. As the “Sacred March” came to a conclusion, Bokassa seated himself in his $2.5 million eagle throne, took his gold laurel wreath off, and, as Napoleon 173 years before had done, took his $2.5 million crown, which was topped with an 80-carat diamond, and placed it upon his head.

Bokassa’s reign was not as imposing as his coronation. Just two years later, while Bokassa was out of the country, the French engineered a successful coup. Unfortunately, it was too late for the 200 children who had been executed because they had complained about the expense of their school uniforms.

Bokassa’s coronation is a ridiculous story, almost comical if it had not caused so much pain. But at the same time, absurd as it is, it is a painfully accurate portrayal of the longings and methodology of mankind left to itself as it pursues its own exaltation.

What a contrast with John 12:12–26, which centers on the events and teachings that surrounded Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem as King of Israel.

John 12:12–26 ESV

12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

1. The King of Prophecy

John 12:12–19 ESV

12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

Explanation

As Jesus was coming to Jerusalem for the time of the feast, which is the Passover celebration, we see that a crowd grabs branches and cries out celebratory praises toward Jesus.

The passover was no small celebration; just prior to the Jewish War in AD 66-70, Josephus claims that one Passover had over 2.7 million people that took part in the celebration. Even if that number was an exaggeration, it helps us picture the incredible amount of people who gathered each year to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem.

So this great crowd has gathered for the Passover feast. And the crowd who had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem decided to gather together to meet him.

In verse 13, we see that the large crowd took branches of palm trees. The palm trees branch became significant to Israel nearly 200 years prior after Simon the Maccabee drove out the Syrian forces from the Jerusalem citadel. The people celebrated Simon the Maccabee’s feat with music and the waving of palm branches.

These people were looking for an earthly king to establish an earthly kingdom to bring Israel back to a place of earthly power.

The gathering of the palm branches show us that they recognized Jesus as the Messiah spoken of throughout the prophets. However, they had misunderstood the kingdom he had come to establish.

Incredibly their cry of Hosanna rung true even though their idea of salvation was wrong. Jesus’ arrival was a salvific arrival. In the coming days, he would be killed and would raise from the grave bringing life to the spiritually dead. Hosanna translates as “give salvation now.”

Imagine the excitement, the rush the disciples must have felt as they hear the crowd screaming HOSANNA! HOSANNA! HOSSANA! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord, Even the King of Israel! HOSANNA! HOSANNA! over and over.

If you have ever been in a crowded stadium whether it be for a concert or a sports event. When the crowd is chanting in unison, it is an amazing and powerful noise. It creates energy. Fans try to will their team to victory. In some cases, you have fans considered the sixth man, or 12 man of the team because their cheers disorient and distract the teams from their focus or hinder their ability to hear the plays. It’s incredible. Imagine that kind of atmosphere and you begin to see the environment these disciples are witnessing.

Jesus, then finds a young donkey and sits on it to fulfill prophecy concerning his entry into Jerusalem.

Look at verse 15

John 12:15 ESV

15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

This reference comes from Zechariah 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

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.

Jesus chose not to ride a war horse, which would have caused the crowd to likely turn into fully out insurrectionist frenzy; instead, like the prophecy proclaimed he came in as the king of peace riding on the back of a young donkey.

Yet Jesus’ disciples, did not even realize what was going on at the time. It was only after Jesus was glorified, according to John, that they realized what had happened.

We often times do not know or understand what God is doing until we look back on our lives. When we face difficulty and uncertainty, we can become frustrated or confused in the moment. Yet, God is doing something incredible and will use even hurt for our good and his glorious purpose. Sometimes, our hurt is so that we can aid others who share the same hurt.

We can trust God in all things and know that he is worthy of our worship. We do not have to fear whether Jesus was really the Messiah, he is the king of prophecy and he fulfilled the prophecies concerning his coming, crucifixion, and resurrection!

Not only do we see that he is the king of prophecy,

2. The King Pursued.

John 12:20–22 ESV

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

Just prior to this in verse 19 the Pharisees are exasperated with Jesus’ influence. They express their displeasure saying “Look, the world has gone after him.” They are overcome with resentment. Yet, the Gentiles in verse 20-21 show us that they are there wanting to see Jesus.

A couple of things to know about these Greeks.

1. They were God fearing. We know this because they went up to worship. It means that they had converted from their pagan idolatrous societal norms and made a practice to come and worship the God of the Jews at Passover.

2. They are wanting to have an interview with Jesus. They are wanting to have a conversation. Honestly, we do not know exactly what drew these Greeks to Jesus. But they come and desire to have a conversation and time before Jesus.

How many of us seek to meet with Jesus in conversation in our daily lives? There are times that we take for granted that the God of the universe, dwells within us believers. We are able to converse with God directly through prayer and reading His Word. Yet, how often do we simply go about our day without thinking twice about talking with God to ask him questions, to praise him for his work in our lives, to plead for other people’s needs. How often to do ignore time in God’s Word where God speaks to us concerning his love and purpose for our lives?

These Greeks were seeking permission to go before Jesus; yet, we have permission but rarely take advantage of our time we have with him.

Are you pursing Jesus with your life? Are you seeking his face?

Not only do we see how Jesus is the King of Prophecy, and the King Pursued, finally we see

3. The King’s Proclamation.

John 12:23–26 ESV

23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Upon being asked about meeting with these Greeks, Jesus’ answers with a proclamation.

1. The time has come for the “Son of man to be glorified.”

In other words, it was time for him to be crucified, risen from the grave, and exalted had finally arrived!

The crowd probably was both excited and anticipating a declaration of war against Rome, yet Jesus’ next words like silenced the crowed.

2. Jesus death will lead to greater fruit.

Jesus uses a metaphor to speak of the necessity of his death. He tells them that when wheat falls and dies, the wheat produces far more wheat. In other words, Jesus death and resurrection serves to bring about life for all who turn to him in repentance! Life is give to those who follow him.

Jesus then explains what it means to follow him in the next two verses:

1. To have life in Jesus, we must cast aside our life in this world. In other words, Jesus says we have to be transformed. He had not come to establish an earthly, fleshly kingdom that would be temporary like the people wanted. He had come to establish an eternal kingdom that would never perish. It is a kingdom reserved for those who repent, turn away from their sinful fleshly desires and surrender all to Jesus. Eternal life comes only through genuine repentance and turning to Jesus.

Then Jesus adds:

2. That for anyone to serve him they must follow Jesus. The road of following Jesus is one that leads to difficulty in the world. Jesus’ path was one that led to his crucifixion and death. His disciples, were killed and persecuted for the faith, our brothers and sisters today in other parts of the country die for the name of Jesus. We have some in our own nation who lose out on promotions, are sued for their Christian faith and stances on what is right and wrong.

Conclusion

This morning we have witnessed Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We see that it demonstrates Jesus as the King of Prophecy, that he is a King that is pursued, and that as King he gives a proclamation of hope and instruction.

Following Jesus is no easy path, but it is a path of life! Jesus’ proclamation provides us hope. As we enter into Passion week on this palm Sunday. Where are you?

Maybe you have looked at Jesus like the crowd and seen him as a source of hope in this physical world but have never given your life truly to Jesus. You look at him more as a grandpa that loves giving gifts rather than a savior worth giving everything up for.

For others, maybe you were challenged to pursue company with Jesus as the Greeks sought to meet with Jesus. You realized this morning that you need to spend more time with Jesus through reading God’s Word and praying.

Yet, for a few others, maybe you realized this morning that you have never experienced the rich blessings that God provides through the life his son provides to us. That you know you need to turn from sin and allow God’s grace to pour over you this morning.

With every head bowed and eye closed: