The Triumphant Entry

Luke 19:28-44

Most people today have little first-hand knowledge of a genuine monarchy. Those who hold the title of king or queen in modern societies are often rulers in name only having little if any governmental power or responsibility. An elaborate coronation is often the only notice they will ever have of any consequence. But until modern times the coronation of a monarch involved the display of great splendor and pageantry. The king would be dressed in the most expensive robes and jewels and would be driven through his capital city in an ornate carriage drawn by stately horses. Accompanying him would be his courtiers and foreign dignitaries, and following that would be a large escort of the nation’s finest soldiers. In many countries high-ranking religious leaders would also participate.

At the climax of the events, the king would be presented with a scepter or would stand on a sacred stone or participate in some other ritual signifying the transfer of power and authority into his hands. Musicians would play and sing, and the crowds would break into spontaneous choruses of praise to their sovereign. Every part of the ceremony was designed to highlight the majesty glory power, and dignity of the king.

At her coronation in 1838, Queen Victoria of England wore a crown encrusted with giant rubies and sapphires surrounding a 309-carat diamond. Her scepter was capped with an even larger diamond, cut from the Star of Africa and weighing 516 1/2 carats.

Luke portrays the most significant coronation the world has yet seen, but it was a coronation in marked contrast to the kind just described. It was a true coronation of a true King. He was affirmed as King and was, in a sense, inaugurated into His kingship. But there was no pomp, no splendor, and a nondescript sort of pageantry.

Traditionally this coronation has been called Jesus’ triumphal entry. It was his last major public appearance before His crucifixion and was an extremely important event in His divine ministry on earth, an event that is frequently dramatized but seldom studied carefully or understood for its true significance.

I. He Did Not Come In Wealth, But In Poverty

A. He became poor that we might become rich.

2 Cor 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

B. He did not want us to seek fortune and fame, but simply truth and obedience. His honors and acknowledgements are not always public but personal and fulfilling.

Some years ago there was a great missionaries who had served more than forty years in a remote part of Africa. On the boat with him was a United Nations ambassador who had spent six weeks in Africa jaunting about here and there. As the ship came in to New York Harbor, fire boats appeared, spouting water festively. Tugboats tooted. Bands came alongside. There was a great tumult of praise and celebration for this returning ambassador. The missionary began to feel sorry for himself, saying, “Forty years for Jesus and nobody knows or cares that I’m coming home.” At that moment he seemed to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Nevertheless, he later confessed that simply did not seem like enough. He was as human as the rest of us. We want to hear Jesus say, “Well done,” but wouldn’t it be nice if someone planned a parade for us just once?

II. He did not come in Grandeur but in Meekness,

A. The multitude knew who Jesus was, but did not understand or truly believe what

they knew.

B. The people knew but they would not believe, and because they would not believe they

ceased to know.

III. He did not come to Attack but to Save.

A. They were looking for physical deliverance, He came to bring a greater deliverance.

B. He did not come to Dictate, but to Disciple.

IV. It was the Time of His Humiliation not the Time of His Glorification.

A. God desires humility before celebrity.

Wives have a way of keeping us humble. I heard about a man who was receiving an honorary degree at some great university. In introducing him, the president said, “The man we are honoring today is a great man. You might say he’s a very great man. I would even say he is a very, very great man.” Driving home after the ceremony, the man turned to his wife and said, “Dear, how many very, very great men do you think there are in the world?” She said, “One less than you think there are, dear.”

B. It is better to be humbled, than to be humiliated.

James 4:6 10 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”