Sermon: Responding to the question, Who is this?
Matthew 21:1-11 “ As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’” 6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” 10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Introduction: Jesus and His disciples have been making their way from Galilee to Jerusalem. He has told them that in Jerusalem He will be delivered into the hands of the Jewish religious leaders, turned over to the Gentiles, and crucified, adding that He will be raised on the third day (Matthew 16:21; 17:22; 20:18–19). Now they have nearly arrived at the city. The previous chapter ended with Jesus and the disciples near Jericho, about a fifteen-mile walk from Jerusalem on a Roman military road that rises about 3,000 feet in elevation. The road was likely crowded with others coming to Jerusalem for the Passover, as well as those who were specifically following Jesus. Bethphage was about a mile from Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Jesus selects two of the disciples to go into a nearby village and bring Him an animal to ride into the city (Matthew 21:2).
The story of the triumph entry is told by all four Gospel writers. This event occurs five days before the crucifixion. Jesus is fulfilling prophesy and the requirement of the law. The prophesy proclaimed to all Judea that your king will come riding on the foal of a donkey and the law required that the sacrificial lamb for the Passover be taken on the 10th of the month. Jesus was God’s sacrificial lamb. What an unusual presentation of a king! This king does not enter the city on a white charger as a conquering king, nor does come with trumpet blast to alarm the city. The procession is made up of lowly disciples and a crowd of common country folk. Yet, the crowd certainly stirred up Jerusalem with their proclamation of Jesus as anointed king: Hosanna! The Son of David. Arriving in the name of the Lord, they proclaimed (21:9). But these proclaimers were not residents of the city. They were country people who’d followed Jesus down the Jordan from Galilee to Jericho and from Jericho to Jerusalem. Jerusalem does not recognize her king. They ask, Who is this?
Do you seriously believe this is a king? He doesn’t look majestic. Where is he from? It doesn’t help when they hear he’s a prophet from Nazareth, a place of no significance in Judah’s history, a town that wasn’t even part of Judah’s territory. The answer to this question, “Who is this Jesus?” is still the most important question to answer. That’s why this question is so pivotal in Matthew’s account. The proclaimers and hearers as well must consider how they answer this question, “Who is this Jesus?” How we answer that question shape our attitude, our response and our actions. It determines whether Jesus disappoints or comforts, frustrates or encourages us.
Some considered Jesus to be a political king who would overthrow the Roman authority. Those who answer, “Who is this Jesus?” by identifying him as some kind of political hero will be disappointed. While his rule has political dimensions, Jesus did not come simply to fix political problems. While Jesus is the King of kings, those followers suffering injustice who desired a political takeover would be disappointed.
Some people were looking for handyman of social justice who would fix all their social problems. “Who is this Jesus?” Those looking for a kind of handyman who fixes all of our problems” will also be disappointed. While Jesus rule does have relational dimensions, people who assume that Jesus came to fix marriages, straighten out children or give many friends will be disappointed. While Jesus’ rule has economic dimensions, he didn’t mainly come to provide economic comfort, guarantee good pensions or create good jobs.
Those who answer, “Who is this Jesus?” with a “He heals us from all our diseases may also be disappointed. All healing does come from God. While Jesus is the Great Physician, his primary mission in Jerusalem was to pay the sin debt and free mankind from spiritual bondage. Those looking for instant physical healing maybe be disappointed. This Jesus came, just as the angel of the Lord told Joseph just before he was born, to “save his people from their sins.” So who is this Jesus? Jesus is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. What he would endure would totally satisfy the justice of God, and pay for the sins of the whole human race. Who is this Jesus? He’s the one who with his own precious blood bought us, body and soul, to be his very own.
Who is this Jesus? He’s the one whom the Father sent to completely free and make us right with God. Who is this Jesus? He’s the one who has freed his followers from sin and the control of the devil. Who is this Jesus? He’s the one who has delivered us from the anguish and torment of hell itself. Of course, this Jesus is far, far more. On this Palm Sunday, however, we especially want to remember that “this Jesus” is our Savior. Who, then, is this Jesus? He’s the One who came to live, die and rise again from the dead for our sins.
However, this Jesus also calls his adopted brothers and sisters to receive that salvation with our faith. So God’s dearly beloved children answer the question, “Who is this Jesus?” by professing, “He’s my Savior,” “He’s our Savior.” Those who answer the question “Who is this Jesus?” by professing that he’s our Savior show that we’ve received God’s amazing grace that does save us with our faith.
1. Many struggle to understand who he is because of His provision. A borrowed donkey and colt, a saddle made of garment and roadway paved with palm branches. No regal entourage, no prompt and circumstances, no red carpet or celebrities.
2. Many struggle to understand who he is because of his program. Jesus does not follow their agenda, measure up to their standard or conform to their desires. He fail to get the approval of the powers that be. He did not get the necessary permits and follow the way of earthly kings.
3. Many struggle to understand who he is because of his power. Earthly power is displayed by strength, pride, and arrogance. Jesus came with humility and meekness. Conquering king came in with might to force compliance and domination. His power was in his obedience and servanthood. Yet the crowd prepared the way for him. Some going ahead of Jesus, willingly sacrificing their garments, others cutting palm branches and spreading in the way. All were shouting, “Hosanna, Lord Save us, save us now! The son of David, who comes in the name of the Lord.” The crowd thought his power would mean instant gratification, instant overthrown of the Romans, instant peace and harmony! Notice what happened when Jesus did not immediately meet their expectations, they turned against him. Today many still struggle to understand His provision, program and power. Many walk away disappointed, frustrated and angry because they fail to understand Jesus came to do the will of God. He is the king who know how to take care of his subjects. Those who believed and received him as Lord and King will benefit from that relationship. They will be saved and experience life and life more abundantly.
