“WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?” (Outline)
March 28, 2010 -
Palm Sunday -
MATTHEW 21:1-11
INTRO: An age old question people need to answer is: “Who is the Lord?” Jesus asked the question of his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They gave Jesus the different opinions of the people. But Jesus wanted them to confess their faith concerning his identity. By grace Peter answered correctly. The question concerning the Lord and his identity is vital to eternal salvation. Our Psalm for the day asks that very question and gives the answer. "Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle…. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty--he is the King of glory" (PSALM 24:8, 10). As Jesus enters Jerusalem it is good and right that we refresh our faith concerning the King of glory.
“WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?”
I. A very humble leader.
II. Our praiseworthy Savior.
I. JESUS IS A VERY HUMBLE LEADER
A. Verse 1. Jesus and his disciples come from the west to enter Jerusalem at the Temple / Golden Gate.
1. Verse 2. Two of Jesus’ disciples are to go ahead and bring back a donkey’s colt.
2. Verse 3. A very rare instance where Jesus uses the word “Lord” to describe himself.
B. Verse 4. Jesus’ life always fulfilled the promises God had made through his prophets.
1. Verse 5. This is Zechariah 9:9. Announce to the people of God, the king comes.
a. This prophecy sounded strange. b. The king would not have a royal “appearance”.
2. This King will come on a donkey colt. He will not ride a horse, chariot or have an army.
C. Verse 6. The disciples heard, listened, believed, and did what Jesus had told them to do.
D. Jesus is the King of glory who rides into Jerusalem as a very humble and a very gentle leader. We are struck by the fact that as King Jesus lived his life as a life of service. Jesus’ life served to do his Father’s will. Jesus’ life served to bring glory to God’s name. Jesus’ perfect life served an imperfect creation. This has been the focus of our Sundays together. Two weeks ago Jesus reminded us that he came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. Last week our text pointed out that one man dies for all the people. Jesus showed his disciples the full extent of his love in the upper room. "After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him"(JOHN 13:5). This was a task normally done by the lowliest servant. It was an embarrassment and shameful that not one disciples performed this normal, expected task of hospitality.
E. The greatest service Jesus did was to give up his life completely for the sake of our sins. Jesus died that mankind would have life, eternal life. Jesus did all of this for us willingly. Jesus did all of this for us without complaint. "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth" (ISAIAH 53:7). Jesus did not curse the crowd that crucified him. Instead as Jesus was nailed to the cross he declared, “Father, forgive them…”. “Who is this King of glory?” Jesus is our humble, gentle leader.
F. The life of Jesus serves as an example for every believer to follow. Thankfully we live in a land of religious tolerance and freedom. Unless there is a drastic change in our society we will have this religious freedom throughout our lifetimes. This means that none of us will walk the way to the cross to be crucified because we are Christians. Jesus has already done that for us. More than likely none of us will ever be mocked, flogged, and beaten to within an inch of our life because of our faith. That is, unless things drastically change in our nation. "But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps" (1 PETER 2:20b, 21). We live in a time and age when evil is good and good is evil. Being gentle and humble like Jesus means that people may take advantage of our Christian charity.
“WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?”
Jesus is the world’s very humble and very gentle leader.
II. JESUS IS OUR PRAISEWORTHY SAVIOR
A. At the word of Jesus two disciples went and untied the donkey and brought them back to him.
1. Verse 7. The disciples put their cloaks on the donkey. There was no saddle.
2. Verse 8. The crowd gathers and puts their cloaks and branches on the ground – faith is seen.
B. Verse 9. The crowds’ actions and now words reveal the faith that is in their hearts.
1. “Hosanna” is literally, ‘save”. Praise to the “Son of David” coming just as God promised.
2. The crowd recognized Jesus as the One sent by God, coming in God’s name, Savior.
C. Verse 10. The word of mouth spreads. People everywhere are excited about this humble king.
1. Jerusalem was filled with people who came to celebrate the Passover at the end of the week.
2. Verse 11. Jesus – the Prophet: from Nazareth, Galilee = a title of respect, honor, fulfillment.
D. Jesus begins Holy Week on this Palm Sunday surrounded by the crowd praising him. By the end of the week some of the same crowd will cry out for his crucifixion. From recognizing and praising the Savior to blindly denying the Savior took place within less than a week. Still Jesus was the Savior for all of mankind. It made little difference that the crowd rejected Jesus. That did not change the fact that Jesus came as the “King of glory” to save mankind. This was the purpose of the life of Jesus from the very beginning of becoming flesh. "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago)" (LUKE 1:68-70). This is the praise of Zechariah as his son John (the Baptist) is brought to God’s house to be named. John prepared the way for Jesus – fulfillment.
E. Jesus died on the cross alone. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were the only price that could pay for the debt owed to God by a world gone wicked. Jesus did not spend his entire life alone. The fact is, Jesus was popular. Jesus performed many miracles, signs, and wonders. Just as important Jesus brought the word of God’s truth to those starving for the gospel. "So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them" (MARK 2:2). Because of the great crowd the friends cut a hole in the roof and lowered the paralyzed man to be healed. “Who is this King of glory?” Jesus is the Savior of the world. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is most worthy of all of our praise.
F. Consider that the entire town of Jerusalem was stirred when Jesus entered the city. They wondered, “Who is this?” The crowd was told that the Prophet had come. Jesus lived a life of service to save us. Jesus did this simply because we cannot save ourselves. We stand in awe and wonder and praise at the length God went to save us. "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name" (HEBREWS 13:15). Are those around us stirred to ask, “Who is this?” “Who is this King of glory?” Do our friends ask? Does our neighborhood ask? Many live in fear and hopelessness today. Our lives ought to reflect the great certainty of salvation that our praiseworthy Savior freely provides. We can be confident, certain, and content. Then others may ask.
CONC.: “Who is this King of Glory?” What a wonderful question that others may ask. What amazing grace that gives us the answer to tell others. “WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?” Jesus truly is the Lord Almighty, strong and mighty in battle. Jesus has defeated the devil. Jesus has slain sin. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory. This King of glory comes into Jerusalem and enters into our lives as a very humble and gentle leader. This King of glory lives in us and through us as our praiseworthy Savior. "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen" (1 TIMOTHY 1:17). Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
PALM SUNDAY rdgs:
ZECHARIAH 9:9,10;
PHILIPPANS 2:5-11;
LUKE 19:28-40;
(PSALM 24)
SERVICES: 1:00pm @ NCF Min. (Sat)/12:00pm @ NCF Medium (Sun) / 9:30am @ Redeemer (Sun) / 7:00pm @ Hays (Sun)
BIBLE STUDIES: 10:55am @ Redeemer (SUN) / 6:00pm (Min) + 7:30pm (Med) @ NCF (TUES.)
/ Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM
