Sermon Tone Analysis

Zechariah 9:9

Introduction

This verse finds its fulfillment in the Triumphal entry of Christ (Matthew 21:1-11)

It was Christ’s coronation day.

As Jesus began to ride into the city* *most of the multitude spread their garments in the road.

It was an ancient custom (see 2 Kings 9:13) for citizens to throw their garments in the road for their monarch to ride over, symbolizing their respect for him and their submission to his authority.

It was as if to say “We place ourselves at your feet, even to walk over if necessary”

While those people were putting their clothes in Jesus’ path, others were cutting branches from the trees, and spreading them in the road.

From John 12:13 we learn that the branches were from palm trees, symbolic of salvation and joy and picturing the magnificent tribute that the “great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues” one day will present “before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches… in their hands” (Rev.

7:9).

There was great excitement and ecstasy as the multitude proclaimed praise to the Messiah, to the Rabbi from Galilee who taught with such authority and who had healed their diseases and even raised the dead.

(McArthur, Matthew 16-23; Chapter 24)

As Jesus entered the city on that first Palm Sunday so were thousands of Passover lambs.

\\ The message of Palm Sunday is the message of the King!

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday He offered Himself as King to the nation of Israel.

Ø      But He was rejected—so much so that He sat upon that mountain, and with a loud voice cried,

*Matthew 23:37-38* O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

See!

Your house is left to you desolate

Ø      In a.d.70, that city was razed to the ground, thus fulfilling the prophecy of our Lord.

He came to the temple, and He found not only those who were rejecting Him, but those who were robbing Him, their King.

*Matthew 21:13* “And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of thieves.”

God has called each of us to be His temple.

Ø      He will never be satisfied until He is crowned as undisputed and unrivaled King in our lives.

In considering our text, in Zechariah 9:9, we recognize three aspects of our Lord’s sovereign rule: His majesty; His mastery; and His ministry

\\ 1A.

The Majesty of the King (Zechariah 9:9b)

*Just* and *humble* describe the King that we are to behold.

1B.

The majesty of His righteousness

He is *just*, He is righteous, blameless

His Word is righteous.

*2 Timothy 3:16* All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

His ways are righteous.

*James 1:17* Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

2B.