How Jesus (God) Became King! Series

Sermon: Easter - How Jesus (God) became King!

Easter Sunday Reading (Before Sermon)

It was evident that the people were desperate for more than just “any king” but for “The King.” The king who had come to save them.

During King Herod’s reign he expanded and built up the temple of God in Jerusalem so that the Jewish people would believe that he was the one God had chosen. He wanted to prove that he was God’s anointed ruler. But, to quell another rebellion he ends up killing John the Baptist, the messenger preparing the way for God’s king.

A political leader focused on self-preservation… certainly not the king we needed.

Another rival for the throne was Jesus Barabbas. In Mark 15 it says, “Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection”. Riot. Murder. He was not just a thief; he was a leader of a group that wanted to overthrow Rome and put a new king in its place. He met force with force, and the people liked it. They yelled for Pilate to free Barabbas instead of Jesus. Murder, riots, violence… that’s not the king we needed.

Then there’s… Jesus. He goes out of his way to keep his identity secret. It’s as if he’s waiting for the right time. He’s put on a mock trial, silent before his accusers, and unjustly sentenced to death. The only time Jesus is named “King” is when Pilate puts a sign over his head as he hangs on the cross “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews”.

A king would get a crown, a robe, and a scepter to show his power and royalty. Jesus gets a crown of thorns, a robe of shame, and is beaten in public. The soldiers mock him. Even the Jewish Priests laugh at Jesus on the cross and say, “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross.” But for him, death wasn’t the end. Where Barabbas brought insurrection, Jesus brings resurrection. And 3 days later, this King of Glory does what no one expected.

His crucifixion becomes his coordination. The grave displayed his grandeur. The resurrection proved his royalty.

Surely not the King we expected, but exactly the king we needed.

Summary of Palm Sunday and Good Friday Sermons:

The coronation of a new king is a major event in any kingdom - you will observe this on May 6 if you watch the coronation of King Charles the III and Queen Camilla - “The King and Queen of England” - you will see it is going to be a worldwide historic event.

But Jesus coronation was the greatest in the history of the world and few at that time even knew it happened! But His fame continues to grow as He “Reigns” from heaven and all across this world people are taking notice , but one day He will return to set up His “Realm” on this earth. It is coming sooner than most of us think.

• Jesus is the most famous King of all time, but His coronation looked so different than all other earthly king’s coronations! Less hype and pomp yet more eternal meaning and power.

• The world’s coronations are marked with gold crowns, rubies, diamonds, elegant robes, expensive scepters, lush palaces, expensive banquets and elaborate parades. I shared last week that Prince Charles III’s coronation will cost the UK 120 million dollars.

• Jesus was marked with a humble parade, a cross, beatings, mocking and yes, a crown of thorns!

• Old Testament kings and even modern-day kings were publicly anointed with oil, such will happen at the coronation of Prince Charles’s at Westminster Abbey on May 6 in that solemn moment he will be anointed with oil for His service to the Kingdom - then afterwards he will accede to the throne of England to take his position of authority.

• After the oath, Charles is expected to be anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who will pour the oil onto a spoon and anoint Charles' hands, head and breast. Then, Charles will be given the royal robe, the orb, the coronation ring, the scepter and the rod of his kingly position.

• Jesus’ anointing by Mary set the stage for the eventual coming of the Messiah, "the Anointed One." He is “The King of Kings” who sits on the throne of the earth in Heaven! Jesus was anointed. But He was stripped of His robe, given No ring – he was given no scepter only a crown of thorns, but yet His Kingdom means eternally more than King Charles coronation or kingdom reign will ever mean.

• David was promised that his house and his throne would endure forever by God in the Bible. But the earthly kings of Israel ceased with the Babylonian captivity of 586 BC because their lives and nation were overrun with sin, so it was clear that the writings of the prophets pointed to a future heavenly King who would come to reestablish this throne.