Why Should You Welcome Jesus As Your King?

In the triumphal entry account, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt. Large crowds of Jews followed his entry and spread their cloaks before Jesus or cut palm branches from trees and spread them on the road and they cried out in praise to Jesus.

Mark 11:9–10 (ESV)

9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “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!”

Luke 19:38 (ESV)

38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

John 12:13 (ESV)

13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

Matthew 21:9 (ESV)

9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Matthew’s account tells us that the triumphal entry was a prophetic event. Jesus fulfilled the words of prophecy of Zechariah.

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The people thought Jesus was coming as a conquering king- but according to the words of the prophet Zechariah, Jesus was coming as a humble servant to bring salvation to the people. The first coming of Jesus was to provide salvation for the whole world and the triumphal entry was the beginning event that would ultimately lead to the crucifixion.

But if you listen to the shouts of acclimation of the Jewish people during the triumphal entry it is clear that they thought Jesus was entering Jerusalem as a king.

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Why did the Jews anticipate that Jesus was coming as a conquering king? Because it is all over the OT that the Messiah would one day be King. This morning we are going to think about the kingship of Jesus Christ, the Messiah from Psalm 2.

“Psalm 2 is a messianic passage that predicts the coming earthly reign of the Messiah, who is God’s “Son,” over the nations that currently are in rebellion against God. God will defeat scoffers and establish His Messiah as King over the world.” — Michael Vlach (The Old in the the New, pg. 119)

Let me take a minute and set the stage for why this Psalm is so important for us to think about this morning.

In the Bible God reveals for us is ultimate plan for this world, for his creation. Maybe you are a student of the Bible and you already know what God plans to do with the world in the future. But, maybe you have never taken the time to read the Bible and find out for yourself what God says is going to happen in the future.

God’s Word tells us that one day Jesus is going to come back to the earth. There is going to be a major battle, Jesus is going to to win that battle, and he will establish an earthly kingdom. His throne will be in Jerusalem and he will rule the world in righteousness and justice and his rule will be unending.

So imagine this scenario. This is just hypothetical, I am not trying to be prophetic here. But, given what we know about Scripture this could be a likely timeline. Russia and Ukraine war escalating, WWIII, rapture/tribulation, Jesus 2nd coming and establishing of his earthly kingdom. Could happen soon, or it could happen 1000 years from now. The point is it will happen. Jesus will come and he will rule as king one day. How should we respond to such information?

God tells us in his Word that Jesus is coming one day and he will be King over the universe. How should you respond right now to what God tells us in his word? Here is the repose I am aiming for in my sermon this morning.

You must welcome Jesus as your King! Right now, today, before it’s too late- you must welcome Jesus as your King!

Why should you welcome Jesus as your king?

1. Any attempt to usurp the authority of God is futile

Psalm 2:1–3 ESV

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

It can be helpful to think of Psalm 2 as a play with four difference scenes. Each scene takes place in different locations with different characters speaking.

Scene#1- is in vv. 1-3. It takes place on the earth and the characters of the scene are the kings or the rules of the earth. Imagine we are sitting in on the war counsel of the most powerful military nations in the world. Maybe we are sitting in on the war council of the United Nations and all of the leaders of the superpowers of the world are holding council together.

Psalm 2:1 ESV

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

David starts by asking the a pointed question- why do the nations rage or rebel- why are the nations in an uproar or why do they conspire?

And why do the peoples plot?

So you have nations raging or rebelling

and you have the peoples devising plots

And the most important word in this verse is the last one- all the the plotting and raging against the Lord is ultimately vain! It’s useless or pointless or its doomed to fail.

Psalm 2:2–3 ESV

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

Not just nations and peoples plotting, now it is kings and rulers. What are the kings and rulers doing? They are setting themselves? What does that mean? They are taking their stand. All of the nations of the earth are coming together they are forming a unified front they are banding together. And they are taking counsel together they are collaborating together.

Imagine if Russian, China, North and South Korea, All of the Middle East countries including all the terrorists, all of the UK, all of the rest of Europe, Australia, and the US- imagine if all the kings and the rulers of these countries got together and formed a coalition. They took all of their tanks, and ships, and planes, and nuclear missiles, and armies and they formed them into one super army.

What is the purpose of this world wide collation?

First- it is against the LORD (Yahweh) and again his Anointed (Messiah)- they are plotting against God the Father, and against God the Son. Why are they plotting? What is the goal of the kings of the earth? “Let us burst their bands apart”. That is let’s tear off these chains or these shackles. And cast away their cords from us. Or let’s free ourselves from these ropes or restraints.

Now are these literal ropes and chains and shackles? No- we are speaking metaphorically of authority about who is in charge. These kings recognize that God and his Anointed are the ones in charge. It is their authority that matters and they don’t like it! And they think that if they just combine all of the military might of all of the armies of the world they can throw off the authority of God and they can take control.

And what is God’s response to this? Go back to v. 1

Psalm 2:1 ESV

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

It is all vain! Why should you welcome Jesus as your king? Because any attempt to usurp the authority of God is vain!

How does this apply to me? I am not a king, I am not part of a super coalition! True, the question for all of us personally is- how do you respond to the authority of God? Are you like these kings? Do you want to throw it off? How do we do that?

Evolution- I don’t want to believe in the existence of a God so I will create a world where he does not need to exist.

Sexuality- Nobody is going to tell me what is the standard for right and wrong. I am going to make up my own gender or I am going to be attracted to anyone I want. I am not going to be restricted by the idea of a lifelong marriage to one person. I am not going to enjoy sexual relations within the confines of marriage. I am going to throw off those chains those restrains and I am going to do what I want to do.

Numerous other examples of people rebelling against the authority of God.

Folks there is coming a day when Jesus will rule as King and you will be held accountable to him. And he will judge you by his standard of righteousness and any attempt to throw off his authority is futile. So welcome Jesus as your king now before it is too late.

Why should you welcome Jesus as your king?

2. Those who rebel are the object of the ridicule and wrath of God

Psalm 2:4–6 ESV

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

Scene #2 is in vv. 4-6. It takes place in the throne room of heaven. God, the one who sits of the throne of heaven, speaks to the kings of the earth.

Psalm 2:4 ESV

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Derision- ridicule

Illustration- when your small child is trying to wrestle with dad, and they are being a little feisty. Holding them at arms length with your hand on their head while they flail their arms in an attempt to tackle you. What is your response to that image? Its laughable right?

Sometimes after I pickup my kids and carry them around the house on my shoulders I will say, OK now your turn to give daddy a piggy back ride. And they come over and the attempt to pick me up. What is the right response to their attempt? Laughter.

All of the armies and kings of the world, and all of their combined might, when they attempt to go up against almighty God what is the only right response? It’s laughable! It’s ridiculous. It’s like my three year old trying to give me a piggy back ride. It just ain’t going to happen!

Psalm 2:5 ESV

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,

Notice how God treats those who are in rebellion to Him and to His Anointed. He speaks to them in wrath, and he terrifies them in his fury!

Those in rebellion against God are the objects of his ridicule and his wrath.

Notice what he says to these kings!

Psalm 2:6 ESV

6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

Zion- my holy hill- this is a reference to Jerusalem

King- this is a reference to Jesus

Kings- we are going to break God’s chains, he is not going to rule over us!

God- I have set / I have installed MY KING. He will rule the world, his throne will be in Jerusalem. And the idea is this- “There ain’t nothing you can do about it.”

Why should you welcome Jesus as your king?

3. The earthly Kingdom of Jesus Christ is certain

Psalm 2:7–9 ESV

7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Scene #3- vv. 7-9. It takes place in heaven and the eternal Father is speaking to the eternal Son. God is speaking his will / his decree for the fate of the world.

Psalm 2:7 ESV

7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

I will tell of the decree: God is giving his marching orders.

Illustration: taking to a pastor friend of mind who served in the navy. If you commanding officer gives you order, there might be a time when you can question those orders in private, but ultimately if the commander has made up his mind your only response is “Aye aye sire.”

God speaks a decree, he gives his orders and David gives us a view into heaven and he speaks these orders to the Son.

You are my Son, today I have begotten you.

These are prophetic words that Jesus directly fulfills.

We learn from Acts 13 (which we will look at next week of Easter Sunday) what begetting means.

What does it mean that the Father begets the Son? I

It does not mean beginning- that is heresy. Jesus is God, he is Alpha and Omega, he has not beginning or ending.

Acts 13 tells us when God begetted the Son. “Today I have begotten you.” When is today?

Acts 13:33 ESV

33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “ ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’

The day that Jesus became the begotten Son of the Father was the day God raised Jesus from the dead. So when you connect this idea to Psalm 2 we discover that begetting actually has the idea of the right to rule.

When God raised Jesus from the dead he signaled to the whole world that Jesus was Anointed one of God. That he was the one who would one day rule the world. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead revealed that Jesus is the one who has the right to be King of kings and Lord of lords.

Psalm 2:8–9 ESV

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Jesus’ kingdom will be on the earth- “I will make the nations your heritage.”

Jesus’ kingdom will be universal- “the ends of the earth your possession.”

Jesus’ kingdom will be uncontested- “You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

This is the decree of Almighty God. This is His will for the world. Jesus is rightful king of the world as shown by God raising Him from the dead. And one day God will give all of the nations as an inheritance to Jesus and that rule will never end and it will never be challenged.

Why should you welcome Jesus as your king?

4. Those who welcome Jesus as their King are overwhelmingly blessed

Psalm 2:10–12 ESV

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Scene #4- vv. 10-12. It takes place on earth. The scene depicts the kings of the earth standing before Jesus, the Son, the Anointed King of the Universe. They have a decision to make. They are given a warning. How will they respond to the revelation God has given them?

Psalm 2:10 ESV

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Jesus is sitting on the throne, the kings are standing below him. How will they respond? Will they continue in rebellion? Not if they act in wisdom and head the warning of this Psalm!

How should they respond to this revelation?

Psalm 2:11–12 (ESV)

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son,

Fear- reverential awe

Trembling- terror

Kiss the Son- pay homage to the Son

Illustration- bowing before a king, and he extends his hand toward you, and on his finger is his signet ring. What are you expected to do? Kiss it! Why? What attitude of your heart does the act of kissing the ring reflect?

We don’t like to think about kissing the rings of kings who rule over us. What if the president of the US walked into the room and told you to bow and kiss his ring. How would you respond?

Why would you ever want to kiss Jesus?

Psalm 2:12 ESV

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Wrath quickly kindled- His anger may ignite at any moment

Blessed are all who take refuge in him- Happy! Why kiss the son? the gospel! So it is not repugnant to me. If Jesus were here right now and he asked me to bow and kiss his hand I would be overwhelmed with love and joy and reverential awe. I would weep tears of joy at his feet. It would be the greatest joy of my life.

How about you? Have you welcomed Jesus as your King? How do you know? Are you more like v. 1 or v. 12 in your response to Jesus? Do you want to rebel against him or kiss him? Do you really know Jesus as your Savior? Have you bowed before Him as your Lord?

Jesus is coming one day to rule as King. You can rule with Him for ever in His kingdom. Or you can experience his anger and wrath for rebelling against him.

How will you respond? I implore you to welcome Jesus as your King!

Why?

Any attempt to reject God’s authority is futile

Those who rebel are the object of God’s ridicule and wrath

The earthly kingdom of Jesus is certain

Those who welcome Jesus as King are overwhelmingly blessed

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