Once upon a time there was a King who was the greatest of the all the
kings. He had a band of 12
everyday men as His disciples. This
King was much different than all the kings that have ever been.
Although He was the richest of all the kings He didn’t have a castle,
a mansion, or even a place to call His own.
He was more powerful than all the kings combined.
His power was not of this world. He
had power over life and death. It
was said that this King spoke to a friend who had been dead for four days and
he rose from the dead. Around a
week later this same King came into town.
He was worshiped and praised by all, but He rode a young donkey into
town. That very same week a
betrayer led an angry group from the religious sector to arrest this King and
have Him crucified. As they crucified Him they placed a crown of thorns on his
head, put a purple robe one his back, and
gave him a title called the King of the Jews.
Everyone thought the time of the King was but then came the third
day…
Can you imagine the President
riding into town in a Ford Escort or the pope coming into Fayetteville in
Chevy Chevette instead of the pope mobile?
The One comes into your life today is the highest human being of all
time, but He comes into your town on a lowly donkey. The beast of burden is His choice of transportation.
He chooses to come on a donkey because it symbolizes the low status
that He has chosen for Himself. (Jesus
is the King.) This is the Triumphal Entry of our Lord.
My most famous entrance was the
day of my surprise birthday party when I was six years old.
I was so embarrassed that I ran out in tears.
Today, our entrances into the world make a great impression on those
who are there to witness the event. We
can come humbly on a donkey as Jesus did.
Thus living the example that Jesus gave.
Scripture Text:
John 12:12 (KJS) On the next day much people that were come to the
feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches
of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed [is]
the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus, when
he had found a young donkey, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not,
daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on a donkey's colt. 16
These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was
glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and
[that] they had done these things unto him. 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.
A.
He was the King of all Kings. What
makes Him the King of all Kings? Who
was this Jesus? This
was who He was. He said that he
was the way, the truth, and the life. So,
how could He be anymore than He really was?
1.
He was Humble.
He was the One who came before everything. He is the creator. Yet,
He didn’t lift up himself. He
gave of Himself. He promoted
others but not Himself.
2.
He was Meek. He
had all power in heaven and in earth. Yet,
He realized the importance of lifting up another.
3.
He was riding on a young donkey. This
symbolized His rule.
4.
He was not self serving, self centered, or selfish.
He served others.
5.
He was not demanding. He
was giving.
6.
He was the King on a donkey or the King of the every day man.
7.
He was the every day Savior. He was the King who rode a donkey, washed feet, and wore
a crown of thorns.
8.
He was the King of all including those who couldn’t afford it.
He was available to all.
9.
He was a radically different King.
He was the King who rode on a donkey instead of a white horse.
He had power over life and death.
B.
Who were the palm branch bearers?
What makes them to worship this King?
1.
They were the ones who believed the prophecies of the Bible.
They were the ones who believed in the King and longed for Him to come.
2.
They looked for the fulfillment of God’s Word because they had
faith in the Lord and what He has said.
3.
They were the people who wanted to honor the King. They were the
ones who wanted to make His path straight easy.
They gave of themselves so that this King could have an easy road into
the city that day. Some even took off their coats and put them on the road in
front of Him. They told the story
of the raising of the dead, and they expected Him to raise them and their
friends. They bare record.
4.
They were the ones who wanted to be set free from the bondage of
the Romans. They were tired of
living in captivity. They were
tired of the day-to-day punishment, taxes, and problems they were having from
those who held them against their will.
5.
They were the ones who wanted to see a resurrection.
They wanted to see a miracle in their lives.
They wanted the joy in their lives that they saw in the lives of
Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
6.
They wanted to see the one who walked in when everyone else
walked out. He was the One who
many wanted for a friend. Even
though He didn’t have much money, He had something that they all wanted.
He had a peaceful presence that was very rare in those days.
7.
They wanted to see Jesus. They wanted to see the promised One. They wanted to see the deliverer. They were the ones who realized who He was. He is the
prophesied one. He is the
redeemer and the deliverer.
Would you be one to honor the Lord today by giving
Him your palms? Would you give
Him your life today? He is the
King, but is He your King?