Introduction

Good morning, dear family of faith. What a joy it is to gather together in this sacred space where we can, as one body, lift our hearts and voices to our King of Glory. Isn't it a blessing to be able to come together, to share in fellowship, to sing our praises, and to open God's Word together?

As we gather here today, we find ourselves at the threshold of a remarkable passage of Scripture. It's a passage that tells a story of triumph, of praise, and of hope. It's a story that resonates as deeply today as it did when it was first told.

We turn our attention today to Matthew 21:1-11. Let's read this passage together:

"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.' This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 'Say to Daughter Zion, "See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."' The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Hosanna in the highest heaven!' When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, 'Who is this?' The crowds answered, 'This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.'"

Heralding the King of Glory

When we read this passage, we are immediately struck by the image of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. This is not the image we typically associate with a king. Kings are supposed to ride on majestic horses, surrounded by an entourage of soldiers and servants. But here we see Jesus, the King of Glory, riding on a humble donkey. This is a powerful reminder of the kind of king Jesus is. He is not a king who seeks to dominate or intimidate. He is a king who comes in peace, who comes to serve, who comes to save.

This image of Jesus riding on a donkey also reminds us of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, which says, "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This prophecy was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born, and yet it perfectly describes this moment. This is a powerful reminder that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the prophecies in the Old Testament. He is the promised Messiah, the King of Glory.

As we think about this image of Jesus riding on a donkey, we are also reminded of the significance of the crowd's response. They spread their cloaks on the road, cut branches from the trees, and shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" This was a spontaneous outpouring of praise and worship. They recognized Jesus as their king, and they welcomed him with joy and excitement.

But there's another aspect to this story that we need to consider. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." This is a reminder that not everyone recognized Jesus as the King of Glory. Some saw him as just a prophet, while others were completely unaware of who he was. This is a reminder that not everyone will recognize Jesus as their king. Some will reject him, while others will simply ignore him.

As we reflect on this passage, we are challenged to consider our own response to Jesus. Do we recognize him as our King of Glory? Do we welcome him with joy and excitement? Or do we see him as just another prophet, or perhaps ignore him altogether? This is a challenge that each of us must face. It's not enough to simply know about Jesus. We must recognize him as our king, and we must welcome him into our lives.

In the midst of all this, we also see a profound demonstration of Jesus' authority. He sends his disciples ahead to find a donkey and her colt, instructing them to bring the animals to him. When questioned, they are simply to respond, "The Lord needs them." And just as Jesus said, the animals are given without protest. This is a clear demonstration of Jesus' authority. He is not just a king in title, but in power and authority as well.

But even in this display of authority, we see Jesus' humility. He doesn't choose a majestic horse to ride into Jerusalem, but a donkey. He doesn't come with a show of force, but in peace. He doesn't demand service, but asks for what he needs. This is a powerful reminder of the kind of king Jesus is. He is a king who exercises his authority with humility and grace.

This passage also gives us a glimpse into the heart of Jesus. As he rides into Jerusalem, he knows what awaits him. He knows that he will be betrayed, arrested, and crucified. And yet, he goes willingly. He doesn't shy away from the pain and suffering that awaits him. Instead, he faces it head on. This is a powerful reminder of Jesus' love for us. He was willing to endure the cross for our sake, to pay the price for our sins.

This passage challenges us to consider our own response to Jesus. The crowds that day had a choice. They could welcome Jesus as their king, or they could reject him. They could shout "Hosanna!" or they could remain silent. They could spread their cloaks on the road, or they could keep them to themselves. And we have the same choice today. We can welcome Jesus as our King of Glory, or we can reject him. We can shout "Hosanna!" or we can remain silent. We can give our lives to him, or we can keep them to ourselves.

So, as we reflect on this passage, let's ask ourselves: How are we responding to Jesus? Are we welcoming him as our King of Glory? Are we shouting "Hosanna!"? Are we giving our lives to him? Or are we rejecting him, remaining silent, keeping our lives to ourselves? Let's take a moment to consider these questions, and to ask God to help us respond to Jesus in a way that brings him glory.

Hosanna in the Highest

As we immerse ourselves in this rich tapestry of Scripture, we are drawn to the exuberant cry of the crowd, "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" This phrase, brimming with joy and reverence, echoes through the centuries, reminding us of the awe-inspiring majesty of our King ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO