The King We Need
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Regime change
1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
The Regime They Expected
The Regime They Expected
The first public display of the Messiah
When reality doesn’t meet expectation
Mt Rushmore
The Story of Samuel
The Story of Samuel
Samuel wiped the dust from his hands as the morning light crept into the narrow streets of the lower city. His home sat in the southern quarter of Jerusalem, where the alleys were tight and the buildings leaned close, as if whispering to one another. Like most mornings, his breakfast was simple—figs and bread, eaten quickly before the day’s labor began.
There was no time to linger. Work awaited.
He slung his tools over his shoulder and stepped out into the swelling city. Passover was near, and Jerusalem pulsed with life—pilgrims pressing in from every direction, merchants calling out, animals bleating, children weaving through the chaos. The walk to the eastern side of the city, near Bethpage, took longer than usual. What should have been a short journey stretched to nearly twenty minutes as he pushed through the crowds.
By the time he arrived, the sun had begun its steady climb. The house he was working on stood half-finished, its stone walls rising slowly under his careful hand. Samuel set to work immediately, the rhythm of shaping and setting stone grounding him amid the noise of the city.
It wasn’t long before another interruption came.
“Samuel.”
The voice was smooth—too smooth.
He turned, already knowing who it would be. Paulus.
The tax collector stood with an air of practiced authority, his robes clean, his posture relaxed. Even his name—Paulus—carried the scent of compromise. A Jew, yes. But one who had taken a Greek name to curry favor with Rome.
“I’ve come for the tax,” Paulus said.
Samuel’s jaw tightened. Without a word, he reached into his pouch and counted out three shekels, pressing them into the man’s hand.
He knew the truth. Everyone did.
Three for Rome… and at least one quietly for Paulus himself.
A flicker of anger burned in Samuel’s chest as he watched him go. Traitor. The word sat heavy in his mind.
Someday, he thought, gripping his tools harder than necessary, Rome will fall. The throne of David will be restored. And men like him will answer for it.
He turned back to the wall, forcing his focus onto the work. Stone by stone. Line by line. Control what you can.
But the day refused to stay ordinary.
Across the street, movement caught his eye. Two men were untying a donkey from a post near a house.
Samuel straightened. “Hey!” he called out, stepping closer. “What are you doing?”
The men turned. One of them answered calmly, “The Master needs it.”
Something in the words gave him pause. He studied their faces more carefully—and then recognized them.
Disciples.
Followers of that rabbi… Jesus.
Samuel had heard him speak once, months ago. Strange teaching—but powerful. And the stories… everyone knew the stories. Healings. Miracles. Authority that unsettled the religious leaders.
He hesitated, then waved them off. “Go on, then.”
There was work to finish. A wall to complete. He couldn’t afford distractions.
He returned to his task, but the rhythm had been broken. The sounds of the city shifted, growing louder, more focused. A murmur at first… then a rising noise like wind gathering strength.
Samuel paused, chisel in hand.
The murmur became shouting.
He stepped back from the wall, straining to hear.
“Hosanna!”
More voices joined.
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Samuel moved toward the street, his curiosity overcoming his discipline. People were gathering—no, flooding—toward the road. Thousands, it seemed, pressing together, their voices rising in unison.
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest!”
Samuel’s heart began to pound.
The kingdom of David.
His mind raced. If there’s going to be a revolution… He glanced toward the temple mount, toward the Roman presence that loomed over everything.
…this is the week to do it.
Passover, a time to remember God conquering the mighty Egytians to free his peopl. The city overflowing. National hope at its peak.
Jesus must be rallying them, he thought. Using his influence to rise up.
Without another thought, Samuel dropped his tools where they lay and ran.
Through the crowd. Past strangers and neighbors alike. Pushing forward, driven by something deeper than curiosity now—hope, anger, longing, all bound together.
At last, he reached the center of it.
And there he was.
Jesus.
Riding on a donkey.
Samuel slowed, confusion cutting through his excitement. He studied the man carefully. The crowd around him was alive with energy—faces lit with expectation, voices hoarse from shouting.
But Jesus…
Jesus was calm.
There was no fire in his eyes. No urgency. No signal of command.
Samuel frowned. Why a donkey? he thought. A king doesn’t ride a donkey. A warrior rides a horse.
He pressed closer, waiting.
Waiting for the speech. The plan. The moment when everything would turn.
But it never came.
Jesus said nothing.
He simply moved forward, slowly, steadily, as if untouched by the storm around him.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the crowd began to thin.
The shouting faded. The movement slowed. People drifted away, uncertain, disappointed, confused.
Samuel stood still, watching it unravel.
“This is it?” he muttered under his breath.
The man who could heal the sick. The man who drew thousands with a word. The man who could have led them…
And yet—nothing.
Samuel felt the weight of it settle into frustration, then into something sharper.
Disappointment.
“It doesn’t seem he’s ready,” he said quietly, though no one was listening.
He shook his head, turning away as the last of the crowd dispersed.
“He has everything he needs to be king,” Samuel muttered. “Everything.”
He glanced back one last time at the figure moving toward the temple at the heart of the city, now nearly alone.
“He has everything he needs to be king – But he won’t use it.”
With a bitter breath, Samuel turned and made his way back to his unfinished wall, the noise of the moment already fading behind him.
Such potential.
Wasted.
Application
Application
The expectation of the Messiah restoring the dominated/diminished nation of Israel
We are often guilty of constructing a Jesus that fits our desires
Gentle with our sin
Harsh with others
Political
Cheerleader for our own beliefs
Prosperity gospel
The Regime He Brought
The Regime He Brought
The triumphal entry fizzles out, and ends up being the peak of Jesus’s public glory in his first coming, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a presentation of his messiahship
Fulfillment of Zech 9 (diminished in Mark’s account, but still there)
Declaration of Lordship
vv. 9-10
9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Call to save (“Hosanna”) + Psalm 118 quote
25 Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
Announcement of the kingdom
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Application of angelic announcement
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Jesus brings about a regime with an (unheard of) humble king
16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.
This is good news
It shows us a humble savior instead of a conquering warrior
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The Jews thought Rome was the greatest enemy, but sin and death was
A conquering king brings judgment not salvation
It holds anticipation of an eventual triumphant return
The Regime We Await
The Regime We Await
The story isn’t over during holy week, Jesus will come as triumphant king
The Lord arrives on a young donkey (Mk. 11:7)/The One Called Faithful and True arrives on a white horse (Rev. 19:11)
His body and blood are the food at the Last Supper (Mt. 26:26–29)/The enemies of God are the food of the Great Supper of God (Rev. 19:17–18)
His disciples flee when they are afraid (Mt. 26:55–56)/His armies follow him into battle (Rev. 19:14)
Jesus was bound and delivered for punishment (Mt. 27:2)/The dragon, the beast and the false prophet are bound (Rev. 19:20; 20:1–3)
Jesus did not answer when accused (Mt. 27:14)/Jesus speaks and from His mouth comes a sharp sword (Rev. 19:15)
An unjust official judges Jesus (Mt. 27:24–26)/Jesus comes with eyes of fire, judging wickedness (Rev. 19:12)
Jesus wears a crown of thorns (Mt 27:29)/Jesus wears many crowns (Rev. 19:12)
Jesus is given a scarlet robe and is publicly shamed when he is stripped of it (Mt. 27:28–31)/Jesus wears a robe dipped in blood (Rev. 19:13)
A sign on the cross mockingly calls Him King of the Jews (Mt. 27:37)/A sign on His own body declares Him King of Kings (Rev 19:16)
The wrath of God was poured out on him (Isa. 53:4–5)/Jesus pours out the wrath of God (Rev. 19:15)
Conclusion
Conclusion
In his mercy, the conquering king came as the suffering savior first.
He will come again and next time he will be a conqueror
Come to him
