“How Do You Welcome a King?”
2 Samuel 19
Intro: We have a special guest speaker who is here today. I don’t think anyone saw him yet, but I’m sure you all respect him highly. His name is GOD! The Holy Spirit wants to speak to each one of us today, but will we listen?
If we knew we were personally meeting God today, just how would it change us? What would we do differently if we knew God was sitting on the platform looking out at us? Well, he is here, and he does see. Let’s look at his word this morning!
If you’ve heard the news recently, you’ve heard a lot about Kosovo and Yugoslavia. Fighting, bloodshed, ethnic cleansing: different people groups who can’t get along. But that’s nothing new in society. It was happening hundreds of years ago: only the names were changed back then. It used to be the Israelites and Philistines and Moabites and any of a number of “-ites.”
We’ve been reading about King David in our trek through the scriptures. We read last week about his battles against the enemy nations. But this week we see him face an even deadlier enemy: his own son, Absalom. Absalom plots to take the throne from his father. King David goes into exile. Absalom rules in Jerusalem while the true king is fleeing for his life. But a short time later we see Absalom hanging in a tree by his long hair that he only cut whenever it became too heavy for him. King David returns to the city to resume his reign as King. Let’s look at this event this morning in 2 Samuel 19. Page 315 if you’re using a Bible in the pew. READ 19:9-15
This is the setting for our story this morning. The return of the King. How do you welcome a king returning to his throne?
I. The Return of King David - we see the men of Judah are chosen to welcome the King back across the Jordan River. Let’s look at the different people who meet the king, and see David’s response to each.
A. Shimei receives forgiveness - READ 19:16-24
Shimei had cursed King David when he left the city. He was of the tribe of Saul, son of Kish - the tribe of Benjamin. He pelted David with stones when David was leaving the city, and he called down curses on him. Yet here we find King David extending his forgiveness. He allows Shimei to live. Shimei has been the first to meet David, falling at his feet and asking for forgiveness. And David allows him to keep his life. As the King returns, forgiveness is offered.
B. Mephibosheth receives answers - READ 19:24-30
Mephibosheth is the son of Jonathan - really an heir to Saul’s throne - he could have been a threat to David’s rule. David had taken Mephibosheth into his own home out of his love for Jonathan. But when David left the city, Mephibosheth wasn’t there. As David returns, we find out why. Mephibosheth was crippled. His servant Ziba had plotted against him to steal his lands. David provides answer to the situation. He gives half the land to Mephibosheth for his inheritance and half to Ziba for the care he had given. Mephibosheth is comforted, for his heart was in the return of the King. As the King returns, answers are given.
C. Barzillai receives accolades - READ 19:31-39
Have you noticed no one has a simple name like Joe or Fred? Barzillai is honored, for he had been a faithful friend to the King. He is rewarded and honored for his faithfulness to David in the past. He is told whatever he wants, to simply ask for it. As the King returns, honor is given to the faithful.
D. The tribes disagree with one another - READ 19:40-43
At a great time as the return of the king, we see jealousy arising. Certain tribes of Israel feeling other tribes were getting more honor than them. Petty jealousy ruins the joy of the return of the King. When the King returns, there are still some who are self-seeking.
E. Sheba stirs up contention - READ 20:1-2, 6-7,22
Sheba brings division to the people, leading astray the northern 10 tribes, but that division is dealt with severely. He pays with his life. When the king returns, contention is dealt with severely.
We have seen David the King returning to his throne to rule for many more years. Now let’s go forward 1200 years to another King, one from the line of David. Jesus of Nazareth. Some of you might have been wondering what all this had to do with Easter Sunday. Let’s look at some similarities in the return of the King.
II. The Return of Jesus from the Dead
Jesus has been crucified, betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, given over by Pilate, crucified by the Romans at the instigation of the priests. But death could not hold him. Jesus, who holds the keys of hell and death, was raised by the power of God Almighty. So, as he rises early on the third day, how is he welcomed back?
A. Peter finds forgiveness - READ John 21:15-19
Peter had denied the Lord three times the night he was taken captive. Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter at the third denial we are told in Luke 22:61. But as the King returns, we see Peter being given another chance. Three times he denied. Three times he is questioned by Jesus about his love. And three times he is recommissioned by Jesus for work for the future. Jesus offers forgiveness for past failures and gives a bright future to Peter.
What failures are in your past? Have you denied the Lord? Been ashamed of being a Christian? Swore like Peter did? It doesn’t matter -- the forgiveness of the King is great. Can you find forgiveness in the Christ this morning? If you will receive it, he has something great for you to do!
B. The Disciples found answers - READ Luke 24:13-35
As two disciples were walking along, Jesus comes to them and walks with them. He explains the prophecies about his death and resurrection to them. If you could ever wish for a better Sunday School class, think about this. Jesus answers all their questions for them.
*There is an answer to all that we face in our lives today. Often we feel that life doesn’t make sense. But when we look from Heaven’s eyes, everything fits together. We see the purpose to the trials and struggles we face. As the King returns, he gives answers.
C. Mary finds comfort - READ John 20:10-18
Mary, who loved the Lord intently, cries over the loss of her Lord. Jesus appears to her, to provide comfort for her sadness. He brings hope and encouragement to her. He rewards her faithfulness.
Do you need encouragement this morning? Have you lost hope? Are you dad or discouraged? Find your strength and hope and encouragement in the power of the Risen Lord. He has conquered death and hell. And his power is available for whatever problems you face this morning. The return of the king brings comfort for the faithful.
D. Thomas disagrees with the disciples - READ John 20:24-31
Thomas had heard that Jesus was alive, but he wouldn’t believe until he had seen it for himself. He had to actually see and touch the nailprints. How many times we are just like Thomas. We know exactly what God wants us to do, but we wait for Jesus to let us feel the wounds. Are we people of faith or not. There is great faith in believing that which we cannot see. There is little faith in God doing everything for us.
What is it that God is calling you to do? What has he placed a passion or burden in your heart about? Obey him - step out in faith and do it. Don’t wait for him to push you through the doorway. He will give you an open door, but you’ve got to choose to step through. Be believing in the power of the risen King this morning.
E. The Chief Priest try to bring division - READ Matt. 28:11-15
Even when confronted with the truth of the risen Christ, there will always be some who refuse to accept the truth. The chief priests refused to believe, even though they heard the personal testimony of the Roman Guards. They plan and scheme to find another way of explaining away the truth.
Some people will go to all kinds of ridiculous ends to keep from believing the truth.
Evolution - the idea that we all came from monkeys who evolved from worms that evolved from one-cell organisms that formed in water on a planet that just happened to come from nothing billions and billions of years ago. It’s hard to believe that same men actually believe this, but the option to that is creation, that a wise and loving God created man in his own image. If you don’t want to hear the truth, you will believe anything.
Have you faced up to the truth this morning? Or are you believing anything that keeps you from having to face up to the truth. You know, if Jesus really died and rose again two thousand years ago, there was a purpose to it. We can’t believe in a historical resurrection of Jesus without facing up to the implications it has for our lives today. If Jesus died and rose, it was because we needed a Savior to take away our sins. If that is true, then that means we are sinners in need of a Savior. yet the Bible tells us that each of us must believe and receive Jesus for that forgiveness and salvation. Rom. 10:9 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Do you believe in Jesus? Have you personally invited him to take away you sin and change your life? Knowledge of God is not good enough. The chief priests knew more about the Bible and what it taught of God, yet their hearts were heardened to the truth. Will you believe in the King this morning?
Concl: How do you receive the king? We celebrate a risen Christ, a returning King who will one day soon come back to rule this earth.
Have you received his forgiveness and gone on to serve him?
Have you served him even if you don’t understand everything that is happening to you?
-one day we’ll understand perfectly
Have you allowed him to be your source of comfort and encouragement and hope?
Have you followed him even when you had no proof? How great is your faith?
Are you accepting him as Savior, or choosing your own way in life?
