“The King Rides”

Series: Make a Connection with Christ

West Side Baptist Church

April 9, 2006

Pastor Scott Thielen

Text: Zechariah 9

Idea: Jesus is the only King who can bring true and lasting peace

Introduction

Hook—“Taxi”

Have you ever ridden in a car with someone who was a crazy driver? I saw that elbow over here!

I remember one day in Seattle, when I was new to my ministry there, I had arranged to go to lunch with one of the men on my church staff, an older gentleman. He worked part time as our minister of visitation. And I wanted to get to know him better, so he arrived and offered to drive.
Now, I’m not a great passenger, but that drive to the restaurant is a trip I will never forget. When we approached his car I could tell I was in for a wild ride. I don’t think there was a square inch of his car that wasn’t banged and dented and scratched. It looked like he drove for rent-a-wreck!
Well, we made it safely to our destination and back, but it wasn’t without much prayer.
What I learned that day is that he couldn’t see. In fact, he had been driving with an expired license for years because he couldn’t pass the vision test!
Now you understand why I prefer to have the steering wheel in my own hands!

I had a similar experience in Osaka, Japan.

Back in 1995, I was invited to Kobe as an ambassador for the city of Seattle—a sister-city—to bring hope as a pastor following the horrible earthquake in that city that killed over 5,000 lives and injured another 26,000.
To have a greater personal impact I took my two oldest children with me. Chris was 10 years old and Danielle was 8.
We arrived late at night after about 14 hours in the air. Then, to get from Kansai International Airport to our hotel in Kobe, we were transported in a taxi. This taxi was nothing fancy. In fact, it was nothing more than a Toyota Camry.
Has anyone here ever ridden in a taxi in Asia? I hear it’s worse than New York City. What an experience! The driver drove so fast and erratically that it became easier to just encourage my kids to close their eyes. That was another wild ride!

Need/Common Ground—“Jesus Taxi”

Well, today is Palm Sunday, the day we celebrate Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem before His death. And you might be wondering what a taxi has to do with Palm Sunday.

Did you know that Jesus rode a taxi that day? That’s right! I never knew this fact.

Recently, Pastor Jason and Judson had the opportunity to travel to Israel and to experience life in the middle east.

They were able to see the lay of the land, to imagine what it would have been like for Jesus to approach Jerusalem that day.
As they toured the area, they made an astounding discovery: Jesus rode a taxi on the way to Jerusalem.
They figured this out as a young boy was trying to get them to pay for a donkey ride. After some persistence, they heard the boy say in English: “Jesus Taxi.”

That’s right. To get people to ride the donkey, he was calling it a “Jesus Taxi.” But apparently Judson didn’t fall for it. But I did hear something about a camel!

Transition

Well, the boy had the right idea, didn’t he? Palm Sunday is an important day because the Jewish people saw Jesus coming as their promised King.

I don’t know if you’ve ever been in the presence of a king, but it’s a big deal. Kings are royalty, and they command a certain respect. A good king is something to celebrate.

We call this “Palm Sunday” but it could have been called by other names:

It could have been called Cloak Sunday

People were laying their cloaks and robes on the ground, providing a kind of red carpet for the honored King’s procession.

It could have been called Passover or Passion Sunday

This was the Sunday which began the week leading up to Passover, on Thursday.

It could have been called Donkey Sunday

Jesus taxi (pretend to call in the donkey)

But we will stick with “Palm Sunday.” In the spirit of that day, since we don’t have palm branches for everyone, let’s improvise.

When I am at a sports event and something exciting happens, I have no problem jumping up, sticking my hands in the air, and giving out a huge shout. That’s just what an excited person does. As Jesus passed by on this donkey, these people were ecstatic!

So, let’s give it a shot. Everyone stand. Today we’ll use our hands as palms.

Fingers extended, arms waving, let’s imagine what it was like that day to witness Jesus approaching Jerusalem as the promised King.

Seriously, history is full of characters who have been evil, wicked kings. The Bible tells many of their stories as well as the good ones. But a good king is someone people will follow. A good king cares about the welfare of his people. And that’s what the people in Jerusalem saw in Jesus that day.

In a few moments we will turn back to the writings an Old Testament prophet named Zechariah. But first, to understand the significance of that prophecy, let’s read the story of that day years later when Jesus made His way to Jerusalem the Sunday before His death.

§ Read Luke 19:28-40.

Several observations about this scene before we turn to Zechariah’s prophecy.

Notice that this celebration is spontaneous, not staged. There was no marketing campaign to get the right people there. In fact, Jesus was the only one who knew what He was about to do.
Also, I want you to be aware that all four accounts of Jesus’ ministry include this event in their gospels. I’ve listed the parallel passages in the notes for you. (Parallel passages: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19)
Finally, I want you to notice that these events occurred during preparation for the Passover feast in Jerusalem. Passover was an annual event in Jerusalem when Jews and God-fearers from around the world would make their journey to the great city of David to worship the one true God.

You’ll remember that Passover commemorated the miraculous deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It is a holy time of remembering how God protected those families who obediently placed the blood of an animal on their doorposts. As the angel of death moved through Egypt, he would pass over those homes marked by this blood sacrifice and spare their lives.

What’s interesting about Passover at this time is that scholars estimate that hundreds of thousands of people would have been in Jerusalem to participate in the special ceremonies. That means that the normal population of the city would have swelled to huge numbers, and all these pilgrims would have been keenly looking for God’s deliverance from the Roman oppression.

Connection with Christ

A lot of people don’t understand the connection between the New Testament and the Old Testament. And that’s the reason for these messages leading up to Easter.

It’s so important that we can make a connection with Christ, from the Old to the New. When Philip is approached at a “chariot stop” by the curious Ethiopian official, what does he do? Acts 8 tells us:

Then Philip began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 8:35 NIV

Where was Philip reading from? Isaiah 53. The point is that the OT describes God’s promise of a Deliverer. And the NT says His name is Jesus. After His resurrection, Jesus did the same thing with the two disciples who were walking to Emmaus, by taking them back to the OT scriptures to show them that it spoke of Himself.

The Old and New Testaments have a common thread that ties them together, and that’s God’s plan to redeem sinful humanity.
And central to that plan is the Messiah, the King promised to Israel. A Deliverer who would come to set them free from their bondage.
If the question in the OT is, “Where is our Deliverer?” The answer found in the NT is clearly, “Jesus is the promised Deliverer.”

Background on Zechariah

Turn with me now back to the Old Testament, to the book of prophecy written by Zechariah. It is the next to the last book of the OT, just two books back from Matthew. While it may be near the beginning of the New Testament, it was actually written over 500 years before Christ was born.

Little did he know that over 500 years would pass before they were fulfilled. Long after Buddha and Confucius were dead and gone, Jesus came claiming to be the very one spoken of here in this ancient prophecy.

The prophecy of Zechariah is to the OT what the book of Revelation is to the NT. It was written to encourage God’s people to finish the challenge of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. But, rather than beating them up, Zechariah encourages them by reminding them of God’s plans for the future. In the same way, as we look into the future as God has laid it out, it ought to encourage us to live obediently right now.

Chapters 1-8 focus on the need to finish the temple. Then, in chapter 9, God begins to unpack this prophecy about the Christ. In verses 1-8, the message is basically that the Lord will take out any nation that tries to oppress Israel. After spending a generation in exile, God’s people have just returned to their homeland. And the Lord will protect them as long as they have their eyes on Him. The Jews have had their challenges, to be sure. But God’s promise here is that they will never be destroyed. He will rescue them.

And that brings us to verses 9 and 10.

Read Zechariah 9:9-10

Why is this King so Significant?

When you read those two verses it doesn’t strike you as terribly important, does it? But it really is. The question that comes to mind is this: “Why is this King so significant?” What is so special about him?

Allow me to suggest four distinguishing features of this King Zechariah speaks about.

1. This King comes to keep his promises (9a)

“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you…” Zechariah 9:9a NIV

Explain

The first thing Zechariah does is call God’s people to shout and celebrate. And why are they urged to celebrate? Because their King has arrived. In times of war, when a great king would approach, the people would usually run in fear. But this King is met with cheers and shouts of praise.

When was this promise of a coming King given? It was given to David hundreds of years before Zechariah. We read in 2 Samuel 7:

The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son… Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ 2 Samuel 7:11-14,16 NIV

Apply

God promised David that He would raise up a descendant who would rule in his place forever. This is the same King Zechariah writes about. This King is the promised Messiah who would come to rule forever. And when He arrives, in spite of all the suffering and oppression, the people of God will be ready to shout and jump up and down and celebrate His arrival.

Transition

This King comes to keep His promises. But look at the second description given of this coming King.

2. This King comes with real moral authority (9b)

“…righteous and having salvation…” Zechariah 9:9b NIV

Explain

There are a lot of world leaders who have authority only because of their military strength. But this King will be different. His authority is rooted in His character. Notice that there are two character qualities mentioned.

First, this King is described as righteous or just. The meaning of the word is more the idea of righteous justice. How many times have you wished that our leaders would be men and women of righteous justice?

Illustrate

Corruption and self-centeredness always get in the way of justice. But this King will be the kind of person who will always and consistently reward the good and punish the evil. His character will be the strength of His leadership.

Second, the King is said to have salvation. The point is not that salvation is something for Him, but rather a gift to be shared with those in need. He will come with the offer of real, true salvation.

Illustrate

How often politicians will make promises that they have no power to accomplish. This King, though, comes with salvation that He alone is qualified to offer those in need. It will be His to give.

Transition

Not only does this King keep His promises, He also has the moral authority to do what needs to be done. But notice the unexpected third description of this King:

3. This King comes with gentle confidence (9c)

“…gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9c NIV

Explain

OK, wait a moment. This doesn’t sound at all like the kind of leader who commands respect. Why wouldn’t we find this great King riding on a mighty, white stallion like all great military leaders do? But the reason is clear. This King, while He is a great ruler, has chosen to make His entrance to show His Kingship, not His military strength.

So Zechariah makes two observations about the King’s approach. First, He will come in gentleness. The word for gentleness implies that this King will have suffered. And second, He will show that humility as He comes riding a young donkey.

§ When we think of donkeys, we think of an inferior breed to horses. But to the cultures of the day, there was significance in choosing a donkey over a horse. Riding in on a horse showed one’s military power. But riding in on a donkey emphasized His concern for peace. The horse meant war, the donkey meant peace.

This is clearly a leader who is confident about His mission and doesn’t feel threatened by anyone.

Napoleon Bonaparte said this: “Alexander, Caesar, and Hannibal conquered the world but they had no friends… Jesus founded his empire upon love, and at this hour millions would die for him… He has won the hearts of men, a task a conqueror cannot do.”

Apply

What a great picture of true leadership. Leading others is not about manipulation or power over others. It is about doing what is right and especially about restoring peace.

Transition

This King comes to keep His promises, with real moral authority, and in gentle confidence. Notice the fourth description of this great King who will come:

4. This King comes certain of victory (10)

“I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Zechariah 9:10 NIV

Explain

His purpose is clearly peaceful. This King intends to establish peace throughout the world, and He will use His strength to accomplish it. Only this King will be strong enough to remove the evil that dominates the earth and then protect the peace that will flourish under His rule.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking of this Deliverer as passive. The only way He will win the peace is by the complete destruction of those who are evil and oppose Him. This will not be accomplished by the meek Lamb of God, but, as other prophecy indicates, by the Lion roaring out of Zion. He will secure the peace at all costs.

Illustrate

While the Nazi’s were ravaging Europe during World War II, our soldiers went into harms way, willing to kill and be killed to secure the peace. Nobody wanted a bloody war, but it was the only course of action that would stop the Nazi war machine.

Apply

In our day of tolerance, it is tempting to begin thinking that peace can be secured by holding conferences where we talk about how important it is and by preaching social concern. These are valuable and important things to do, but as this prophecy makes clear, they will never win the peace. Why? Because man’s heart is evil. There is only one who has the qualifications to win the peace, and that is the King, the Messiah promised by God so many years ago.

War will cease on earth only when wickedness ceases, and that will happen only when the promised King sets up His universal empire.

Transition

So, there we have it. Zechariah’s prophecy of a coming King who would rule and establish peace around the world. If this King is such a significant figure in the future, the next question is:

Why then is Jesus so Significant?

Jesus is significant because He claimed to be this great King. As the promised Messiah…

Jesus fulfilled Messiah’s prophecies (a descendant of David among others)
Jesus exemplified Messiah’s character (righteous and having salvation)
Jesus chose Messiah’s entrance (gentle and riding on a donkey)
Jesus promised Messiah’s victory (repeatedly told His disciples that He would return)

The Conclusion: Jesus is no accidental Messiah

When He sent His disciples to get a donkey, there is no question that He intended to be seen as the promised King of Zechariah 9.

But He didn’t come to Jerusalem to establish His kingdom just yet. Luke tells us that “As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).

And we know how, from that point onward, what He shared with His disciples was not a strategy for overthrowing Rome, but a warning that He would be betrayed, taken captive, crucified, and that He would be raised to life on the third day. Not until after the resurrection did the disciples finally put the puzzle pieces together.

But there is a problem…

Jesus didn’t fulfill all the prophecy. There is a gap between verses 9 and 10.

Between verses 9 and 10 are all the centuries of the Christian era. Jesus came fulfilling verse 9 but leaving verse 10 for the future. We find ourselves caught in between these two momentous events.

This explains the confusion on that Palm Sunday.

Here were God’s people from all around the known world, gathered in Jerusalem to worship at Passover, and Jesus comes riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, clearly announcing His fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy and claiming His place as the promised Messiah.
Later, when He refused to lead a rebellion against the Romans, you can understand how many people would have been deeply disappointed.
As they understood Zechariah’s prophecy, the promised King would come for the expressed purpose of setting up His righteous kingdom. That’s what they understood, but that’s apparently not what God meant. There is a huge time gap between verses 9 and 10.

Illustrate

Let me illustrate this. When you look at two distant mountains, they appear to be close together. But as you get closer, you begin to realize that they are actually far apart, usually separated by a huge valley.

This is a vivid picture of many OT prophecies. From our vantage point they appear to be close together. But the closer we get, the more we realize how much time has really separated the two events.

Remember that this prophecy was announced more than 500 years before it happened. We need to remember not to make the same mistake the crowd did on that Palm Sunday.

Just as Zechariah’s prophecy of verse 9 was fulfilled when Jesus came to Jerusalem, so the prophecies of His second coming in verse 10 are just as certain to come true.

The issue:

Jesus humbly entered Jerusalem knowing that He would be rejected. But He did so knowing that He would return with ultimate power to be accepted then as the promised Messiah.

This leads us to an important conclusion:

Palm Sunday is really about our hope for peace.

The Jews were looking (and still are looking) for peace as God’s people. They are tired of oppression. Just as we are tired of war. But they are still not ready to receive their King.

Israel is a nation that is still looking for the wrong solution. They are not looking for their Messiah to set them free spiritually. The focus is still on political freedom. Just as in Jesus’ day, people are looking for a military deliverer.

The kingdom of God will be established first in our hearts, then on the earth.

Earlier we read the account of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem from Luke 19. Luke goes on to describe what happened as Jesus approached the city itself.

Read Luke 19:41-44; (see also Isaiah 2:2-4; 9:6-7)

What was He saying? Jesus is grieving the fact that the people were not truly ready to receive Him.

He knew that His mission was to go to the cross, for without His sacrifice for sin there would be no hope of peace for the world.
But His heart was still broken for all the suffering that would still continue until His return in power.

Yet a day is coming when Jesus the King of Kings will return to a nation who will embrace Him in obedient submission. And many throughout the world will join in that acceptance of Jesus as the promised King.

Palm Sunday is all about peace: where we look for it, who brings it, and how we find it.

The only way the world will experience true and lasting peace is by yielding to the only true and living King.

Transition

Let me quickly summarize what the Bible teaches us about this peace that Jesus brings.

What the Bible teaches us about this peace:

1. Jesus offers a unique kind of peace (John 14:27-31)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. John 14:27-31 NIV

§ It’s God’s peace—“My peace”

§ It’s a peace given by Jesus—“I give to you”

§ It’s a peace that’s different from the world’s idea of peace—“not as the world gives”

§ It’s a peace that overcomes worry and fear—“let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful”

§ It’s a peace rooted in God’s promises—“that when it comes to pass you may believe”

§ It’s a peace that has been tested and found to be genuine—“the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing on me”

2. Ultimate peace is still future

We’re still looking for God’s promise of ultimate peace in the world.

§ We’re looking for peace in Jerusalem.

§ We’re looking for peace in our homes and neighborhoods.

§ And we’re looking for peace in our hearts.

And the solution to all these needs for peace is found in one Person, the promised King that Zechariah spoke of.

There can be no permanent peace until that King, the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ Himself, returns to earth in power and glory to reign over the earth.

§ World peace will never be won by use of human power.

§ Nor will it be won by pretending that we can all just get along.

The only way world peace can come is by yielding to the only King who possesses all power and the humility to use it properly. King Jesus is all.

My World

Why do kings rule over people?

For some, the love of power.
For others, the love of wealth.
For others, the love of fame.
But for a righteous king, he rules because of his love for the people. A righteous king loves his people by using his authority to establish and maintain peace.

Restatement

What we learn from Zechariah’s prophecy is that Jesus is the only King who can bring true and lasting peace.

All other kings have failed, in spite of their best efforts. But Jesus is a King who will not fail. He has already secured the victory. He alone possesses the peace we all seek.

The reason Jesus didn’t set up His kingdom the first time around was because He first had to lay down His life as the sacrifice for our sins. The first time He came to Jerusalem it was to die, not to rule. But that’s not the end of the story.

Jesus came, not only to save us from our sins, but He will come back to reign as King. What He wants right now is to reign in your life.

Visualization

Are you experiencing the peace that Jesus alone can give? So many things compete for your attention.

Can you picture your life differently if Jesus were ruling your heart above all else?

Are you willing to go through life never really experiencing deep, life-changing peace?

Transition to video

In a moment we will continue worshiping the Lord by giving back to Him our offerings.

If you are a guest, please don’t feel obligated to give anything.
This is something we at West Side do, not because we have so much to give, but because we have received so much from the Lord. We want to be faithful to put Him first in everything, even our resources.

After I pray, take this time to open your heart to the King of Kings. Allow Him to erase those things that stand in the way of His rule over your life.

Prayer & video: “Erase” (covered by You)

Close after video

I’m blown away by His greatness and humbled by His love.

Because I have opened my heart to Him, my sins have been wiped away by His blood. I am covered by His love. And I am secure in His peace.
The King of Kings has come to rule in my heart. And the King is coming back to rule this world. I want to be part of His kingdom right now.
Come Lord, rule my life. May that be your prayer as well.

I hope you will return to worship Him again next weekend.

On Friday, we will remember His death in a candlelit communion service beginning at 7 p.m.
On Sunday morning, we will celebrate His complete and final victory over death.

There are several ways you can help to celebrate the life of Christ this year.

First, invite someone to join you for Easter.
Second, if they can’t come on Easter, invite them to come the following Sunday to the seminar on the Da Vinci Code Phenomenon (invitations available as you leave: share some with your neighbors, co-workers and friends).
Third, join others between services to ask for God to touch lives as we reach out this month. Meet in the Prayer Room immediately following this service.

Pray at front with pastors and elders.

April 9, 2006—Group Discussion Questions—Zechariah 9

Connecting with God’s Family

1. Have you ever had the distinct privilege of riding on a donkey (or trying to get one to move)? If not, perhaps on a horse? How is riding an animal better or worse than riding in a car?

Growing to be Like Christ

2. Half of the group turn to Mark 11:1-11 and the other half to John 12:12–19. Why did Jesus do this? What do the shouts of the crowd tell us about their expectations of Jesus?

3. Many people mistakenly think of the Old and New Testaments as basically unrelated. In fact, the glue that holds them together is the promised Messiah. What is the significance of Zechariah 9:9-10 to the prophetic announcement to Mary by the angel in Luke 1:31-33?

4. Look up the following passages and identify some of the prophecies that were ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ: Psalm 22:16-18; 22:30; 41:9; 69:20-22; Isaiah 53:1-3; Zechariah 11:12-13; 12:10.

5. Statistics experts estimate the probability of all Messianic prophecies coming true in any one man is about one chance in 1099… less than the odds of correctly selecting one electron out of all the matter in the universe… or essentially zero (without divine intervention). How does fulfilled prophecy affect your faith about God’s promises?

Developing Your Shape to Serve

6. Read Luke 19:28–44. In a descriptive word or phrase, what concern of Jesus' do you see as he approaches Jerusalem?

7. Every day the Lord prepares opportunities for us to serve others in His name. How does the Jews’ failure to recognize God in their midst affect the way you might need to change the way you go through your day?

Sharing Your Life Mission

8. Why do people reject Jesus? To guide your conclusions, consider the following passages: Isaiah 53:1-3; Psalm 118:22; Matthew 7:13; 21:42-46; Luke 16:19-31; Acts 7:51-60; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; 1 John 1:10.

9. What is your response to reports that Jesus' popularity is increasing in our culture?

10. Suppose you invite a neighbor to Easter services and he says: “What does Jesus have to do with anything? Couldn’t he have just been a great teacher whose zealous followers made out to be a larger-than-life hero? Isn’t it possible that Jesus was just a nice guy who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time?” Share how you might respond.

Surrendering Your Life for God’s Pleasure

11. What does Jesus’ kingship mean to you practically? Consider praying for one another to invite Jesus to teach you how to allow Him to be “gentle and strong” through you.