He's My King Series

A Study of the Book of John

“That You May Believe”

Sermon # 33

“He’s My King”

John 12:12-26

It is now late March and the Feast of the Passover is near. We are now in the last week of the Lord’s earthly ministry. The witnesses to the raising of Lazarus return to Jerusalem, broadcasting their sensational news, which is underscored by the presence of the former dead man himself, who is living proof of this miracle. Because of this there are those who place their faith in Christ as the Lord and Savior. This did not sit at all well with the religious authorities and the only action that they can think of that what will lead to a suitable solution is kill Jesus and Lazarus too (12:9-10). So even as Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem on Passover plans are already being made to kill him.

In verse twelve we read, “The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, (13) took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “ Hosanna! ‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!” (14) Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: (15) “ Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

Some of those who witnessed Jesus arrive in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday will decide to reject Jesus as King because He was not the “kind of king” they were looking for. And whatever people may say today, “Jesus Is King” and my Bible says in Romans 14:11 “that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will be forced to proclaim that he is Lord!” Two thousand years ago as a symbol that He was the Messiah He rode a donkey into the city of Jerusalem. But according to Rev 19:11 when He returns it with the Host of Heaven and next time it will be with a demonstration of great power He will be riding a White Stallion.

What I want you to see with me for a few moments this morning is three things about the coming of the King!

First, His Coming Was Purposeful!

That Jesus should make his entrance into Jerusalem on this particular day in history was no coincidence. What transpired on the streets of Jerusalem was not a spontaneous demonstration… Jesus intended for it to happen.

On every previous occasion when the crowd has tried to proclaim Jesus king he had slipped away, but not this time. He often says, “My time is not yet come.” When He raises Jairus’ daughter, He tells his disciples not to say anything to anyone about it. When He came down from the Mount of Trans-figuration he tells those who have witnessed it to tell no one. Why does he act so differently now? Because now the time is right and Jesus removes all doubt about his identity. Jesus now purposely draws attention to himself.

His Coming was not only purposeful but…

Secondly, His Coming Was Prophetic!

Jesus meant for this to happen and he meant for this to happen now! Passover was a yearly celebration commemorating the freeing of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. On the night called Passover God struck every first-born child of the Egyptians. This devastating plague led to the release of the Jews from bondage.

God told the Israelites to slaughter a lamb and to take the blood of that lamb and apply it to their doorpost of their homes. This blood of the lamb would be recognized by the Angel of Death as protecting the first-born child that lived within that home. It was meant to be a picture that pointed to another Lamb who would die in our place to free us from a much greater slavery; a slavery to sin and death.

It is not only likely that Jesus entered the city surrounded by sheep headed for sacrifice at the temple but that at the very time Jesus was dying on the cross . . . the sacrificial lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover feast. The most important reason why Jesus entered Jerusalem, particularly on the day he did was to show Himself to be our Passover. He was the Lamb of God taking on the sins of the world.

“The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, (13) took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “ Hosanna! ‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!” (14) Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: (15) “ Fear not, daughter of Zion;