The King Is Coming Series

Alliance Church

Pastor David Welch

“The King Is Coming”

Introduction

Two golden threads of truth run through Scriptures.

A suffering servant coming to bear the sins of the people

A sovereign King coming to rule in righteousness

Not often do the two threads crossing before they come together in Revelation as the Lamb of God reigns from the throne of God. John however clearly crosses the threads here in chapter 12 where we hear the people passionately declaring Jesus as the promised King of Israel and Jesus solemnly disclosing His coming death. The Old Testament clearly predicted a coming victorious of Messiah/King from David’s lineage that would lead the people to freedom and victory over their enemies. Anticipation of the coming Messiah developed until the time of Jesus. Now after three years of divinely driven ministry by Jesus that confirmed abilities beyond what anyone had ever seen before, the people stand ready for redemption. Each of the gospel accounts touches this most significant event that launched what we now call Passion Week. Once again all four literary symphonic representations of the life of Jesus merge to convey the dramatic effect of the event.

Piecing together the action from all four gospels we meet at least 15 specific elements of which John includes seven. Four of the fifteen elements are unique to John.

1. Soon after leaving Bethany Jesus sent two disciples to acquire transportation in the form of a colt.

2. The disciples put their garments on the colt and Jesus mounts for the ride into Jerusalem in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy.

3. The crowd accompanying Jesus from Bethany spread their garment in the road along with branches from the trees.

4. A multitude who had heard of the raising of Lazarus from those who testified poured out of the eastern gate to meet him and also lined the road with palm branches.

5. The two crowds converged in an enthusiastic parade of praise and adoration.

6. The believers continued to testify bring a greater sense of anticipation

7. The Pharisees tried to get Jesus to stop the crowd from praising Him. Jesus refused and affirms that if they don’t the stones themselves would cry out.

8. As the city came into view, Jesus was overcome with emotion realizing the coming judgment for their unbelief.

9. Jesus entered Jerusalem to the shouts of the crowd causing others to question who they were following.

10. Jesus healed the blind and the lame in the temple

11. Children in the temple shouted praise. The chief priests question Jesus and he quotes Scripture concerning the perfect praise form children’s lips.

12. The Pharisees are frustrated that there is nothing they can do to stop this.

13. Jesus and the twelve retire to Bethany for the night

14. The disciples realized later that all this was in fulfillment of Scripture

15. The next day Jesus makes a final public plea to the multitude to believe.

I. The Adoring Crowd 12-15

A. The people’s Response

We are talking about a large multitude already assembled from all over Israel for Passover celebrations, perhaps in the millions. One massive multitude gathered and followed Jesus from Bethany and another sizeable swam from Jerusalem edged the road the city. Expectations ran high. Could this be the day. The two waves of anxious people converged chanting and shouting “Hosanna” meaning -- Save now! The time has arrived, save us from political tyranny. This is it! We are ready for the Kingdom of our God. The words of a most familiar Psalm that every good Jew would have memorized as a child, somehow seemed highly significant.

The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone.

This is the LORD'S doing, and it is marvelous to see.

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Please, LORD, please save us. Please, LORD, please give us success.

Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.

The LORD is God, shining upon us. Bring forward the sacrifice and put it on the altar.

You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:22-29

“Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord. Even the King of Israel, the restorer of the Kingdom.”

Jesus rode toward Jerusalem on a young donkey the symbol of peace not war. The disciples didn’t realize it at the time but even this detail had been prophesied many years previous by the Old Testament prophet Zechariah 9:9.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation,