The message of Palm Sunday is that Jesus presented and proclaimed Himself as King of Israel. On this day we remember His “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem. He was hailed as King that day. He is the One who declared: “All authority, in Heaven and on Earth, has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18).
What does it mean to be under a King? Here in America with no monarchy, we can only imagine, from a distance. And in countries that have a king, times have changed. Most kings today rule over constitutional monarchies, which means they hold a ceremonial office with limited authority. They are sovereigns with little sovereignty. Here in America we pledge allegiance to our flag, and the principles it represents; but that’s not quite the same as being subject to a king. We are citizens, not subjects. Yet as Christians we have dual loyalties…we are citizens of our nation, and subjects of King Jesus.
But do we live like subjects to the King of kings? Or do we cherish our Constitutional freedom to live however we choose? Do we so celebrate liberty that we ignore God’s desires for us? Many people live like they’re above the Law of God. The “rugged individualism” of Americans has a dark side. As Peter Kreeft has stated, “The song ‘I did it my way’ is the song they sing in Hell.”
The Gospel message is the story of how Jesus, God-the-Son, is the anointed King. His coming is the climax of Israel’s story. When Jesus described His ministry, He did so in terms of Kingdom-work. He is the One the world was waiting for. He came, bringing hope and mercy to a needy world…and launching God’s renewed people.
We usually think of Palm Sunday with sadness, knowing how soon thereafter the mob turned on Jesus, stirred on by some of the religious leaders. It’s hard to fathom, yet these oppressed people cried for “No king but Caesar.” They should have proclaimed, “No king but God.” Although the Babylonian Exile was over, the Jews living in Israel were captives in their own land; they were an enemy-occupied nation. They should have welcomed King Jesus. To those who rejected Him, Jesus says in Luke 19:44, “You didn’t know the moment when God was visiting you.”
The coming of Jesus brought about the Kingdom of God, clashing with the kingdom of Caesar--a Kingdom far superior to the Roman Empire. Another king was a dangerous message to proclaim. Here we have two kingdoms and two “lords” claiming universal sovereignty. It is “the kingdoms of the world versus the Kingdom of the true God” (NT Wright). Yet it initially appears that Rome won; Jesus was “crucified under Pontius Pilate” as the Apostles’ Creed states. Yet Pilate unwittingly was serving God’s purpose.
The Kingship of Jesus is seen in His enthronement on the cross--the fulfillment of the biblical story of redemption. The Kingdom is redefined by the cross. John the Baptist, the forerunner of the King, announced that God’s Kingdom was breaking into history, and it was implemented by the Cross. The Kingdom has come in power, even if it didn’t look as people imagined. It came with love, not force; it came with hope, not political upheaval; it came with sacrifice.
Jesus is the King who suffers for His people. “Kingdom” and “Cross” belong together. In the city where Caesar ruled, the Catholic Church has just elected a new Pope, while the Roman Empire is nowhere to be found, except in ruins. That mighty pagan empire is now a Christian state. All over Creation, King Jesus has overthrown the power of Caesar and has rescued His people from tyranny. The establishment of God’s Kingdom means Jesus claiming His sovereign rule over the world, and the dethroning of the world’s kingdoms.
Kings of old would conquer enemies in battle and put them in slavery. When the Roman generals returned in triumph to Rome, there would be a magnificent public procession in which the defeated armies would march in chains and disgrace. King Jesus has rescued us from the bondage of sin. By His stripes we are healed. He died in our place, on our behalf--the Just for the unjust; that we might be rescued, forgiven, and have life eternal. Caesar governs; Jesus saves! Caesar’s story was a power story…the story of Jesus is a love story. Upon the cross the One that is mocked as king is the King! The soldiers dressed Jesus in a robe and put on His head a crown of thorns, then spat upon Him. Pilate continued in the mockery, putting a sign above Jesus on the cross that read, “This is the king of the Jews”. He was making a point and issuing a warning: Don’t even consider having someone try to usurp the power of Rome.
Jesus clarified the matter of who’s really in charge when He said, “The ruler of the world is coming; he has nothing to do with Me…the ruler of this world is judged” (John 14:30, 16:11). I believe He was referring to Caesar. Jesus’ death will overthrow the world’s way of power. Caesar’s kingdom will do what earthly kingdoms always do in their thirst for power, yet God’s Kingdom wins the victory.
When Pilate interrogated Jesus, he asked, “What is truth?” Empires make their own truth. Pilate asked Jesus if he was the “Son of God”, a title reserved only for Caesar, and Jesus claims that title, denying the deity of Caesar. Jesus was accused by the religious leaders of blasphemously declaring that he was the “Son of God”, which is precisely what Caesar had claimed…something they preferred not to deny. Jesus came, telling the truth; and Pilate, it seems, “can’t handle the truth.” In that scene in the Governor’s palace, it appears as though Jesus is on trial; in reality, it is Pilate who is on trial, and found wanting. Jesus is King; Caesar is not.
When confronted with the matter of paying taxes, Jesus reminds His accusers that the coins they were carrying had Caesar’s image. His words imply, “What are you doing with this idolatrous stuff in your pockets?” Pay Caesar back in his own coin, and pay God back in His--by devoting your lives to Him, by bowing before His sovereignty, not Caesar’s.” God’s image is written in His Creation; His fingerprints are everywhere--especially in us. We are fashioned in God’s image, and as His image-bearers, we belong to the King above all kings.
As we begin Holy Week, we travel through some rough country. We have to be reminded again of the awful suffering of our Lord…yet knowing the end of the matter, we find comfort in the knowledge that one day “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord.” Even the soldiers who mocked Him will be among that throng of people bowing before the King of kings. Pilate and Herod will be there, and Caesar.
Pastor Mark Driscoll states: “The only thing that gets me out of bed on Monday morning is the picture in the Book of Revelation of King Jesus on His throne ruling over all of creation.” Jesus, our King, is Lord! We proclaim this Palm Sunday His glory, His sovereign majesty! The first crown given to Jesus was not the last! King Jesus calls us to be Kingdom-bringers, not Kingdom-spectators. We’re to extend the work of Christ’s Kingdom. This is our royal task! We live in an earthly kingdom, but are subject to a Heavenly kingdom. Which kingdom will we serve?
