The Same King is Coming Back Again

Luke 19:29–40 KJV 1900

29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Introduction

Today is Palm Sunday, the Sunday in which the Lord Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as King and Messiah fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.” There was a great multitude of people shouting praises to God and extolling Jesus as the King of Israel. Among the multitude were many that Jesus had healed on His way to Jerusalem including two blind men, one whose name we know was Bartimaeus. Also among the multitude was a man named Zacchaeus who was chief among the publicans. Jesus had just called him to salvation while passing through Jericho. In preparation for His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of His disciples ahead to fetch the donkey colt upon which no man had ever sat or ridden. Prior to this, Jesus had spent His entire ministry walking everywhere He went. However, this day would be different.

This day, for the first time, Jesus would ride into Jerusalem upon this donkey colt to the shouts and acclaim of the multitude. By virtue of His accomplishments, the people were convinced that Jesus was their long-awaited King. The disciples spread the clothes upon the donkey to serve as a saddle and the crowd spread their garments and palm branches on the road which Jesus rode the donkey down. Matthew records that the multitude shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” “Hosanna,” means “save now.” The crowd was electric with excitement and anticipation that Jesus would proceed to abolish Roman occupation and restore Jerusalem to the Jews. However, they misunderstood Jesus’ mission. He did not come to destroy Rome; rather, as He told Zacchaeus that He the Son of man came to seek and save them that were lost and in so doing would destroy the works of the devil. Amen somebody.

Without question, this is the high-water mark of Jesus popularity, and ironically, it was also the beginning of the end of His earthly ministry. There were two groups among the multitude: Jesus’ supporters and His haters. While Jesus’ supporters shouted praises to God for their coming King, His haters, which consisted of most of the religious leadership—chief priests, scribes, chief elders, Pharisees, and Sadducees, were plotting to get rid of Him once and for all. His haters not only wanted to get rid of Him, but they also planned to get rid of Lazarus, whom He had recently (a couple of weeks prior) raised from the dead. The Apostle John informs us that it was because of (Lazarus) this living miracle that many believed on Jesus (John 12:10-11, 17-18). “But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; (11) Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. (17) The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. (18) For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.”

Question #1

Why were the people praising Christ and why did they believe He was their King?

The text says, in v.37, “…the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen.” In other words, they were acknowledging that His miraculous works authenticated His identity and claim to be the Messiah and King. They had seen enough to be convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son and rightful heir of King David.

As already mentioned, there were more than a few witnesses that I believe may have been part of this crowd:

The impotent man that sat by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years, whom He healed and told him to take up his bed and walk.

The woman who was brought to Jesus after being caught in the very act of adultery, whom Jesus forgave.

The man born blind; whom Jesus gave sight by anointing his eyes with clay made from His spittle.

The two blind men whom Jesus gave sight while passing through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem (one whose name was Bartimaeus).

Zacchaeus whose sins He forgave and saved him; and

Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.

Question #2

Are you a witness as to what the Lord Jesus Christ has done not only for you, but also for somebody else in your life? Do you have a testimony today? Can you testify as to what Jesus has been to and for you?

Doctor in a sick room.

Lawyer in a courtroom.

Bread when you were hungry.

Water when you were thirsty.

Shelter in a time of storm.

Bridge over troubled waters.

Joy in sorrows.

Hope for tomorrow.

A friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

A mother to the motherless.

A father to the fatherless.

Light in darkness.

Savior and Redeemer of my once lost soul.

If you are a witness and have a testimony, I just wonder are you a praising Him for what He has already done?

I heard the psalmist write:

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want…”

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?”

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (2) Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (3) Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”

Let me close here, lest I hold you too long.

V.38 “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord…”

Just as He came on this momentous Palm Sunday, the scriptures tell us that The Same King is Coming Back Again. However, the next time He comes, He will not be meek and mild riding on a donkey, but He is coming on a white horse; and, not in peace, but to make war! There is no doubt that Jesus is coming back again.

The Apostle John writes in Revelation 19:11-16, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Question #3

Have you come to Him? Have you heard His call?

Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

Conclusion

The same Jesus that rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is the one who would be crucified the next Friday as the Paschal Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. But that’s not where the story ends. For three days later, early Sunday morning, while the dew was still on the rose, the same crucified Christ would rise from the grave for our justification with all power in heaven and earth in His hands. Amen somebody. Right about now, I wish I could hear that old traditional Negro spiritual, Ride on King Jesus:

Ride on King Jesus (Traditional Negro Spiritual)

Chorus: Ride on King Jesus, No man can a-hinder thee. Ride on King Jesus, No man can a-hinder thee.

In that greatness of morning Fair thee well, fair thee well.