The Coming Of The King

The Coming of the King

Matthew 21:4–5; Zechariah 9:9

Introduction

Welcome, brothers and sisters, as we gather here on this blessed Palm Sunday. Today, we commemorate a pivotal moment in history - the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. This event, rich in symbolism and prophecy, marked the beginning of a journey that would culminate in the ultimate sacrifice for mankind’s salvation. Our sermon today, titled “The Coming of the King,” will delve deeper into the significance of this event, exploring the multifaceted nature of Jesus’ kingship.

1. The Prophesied Arrival

The triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem is a significant event in the New Testament, marking the beginning of the Holy Week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. This event is narrated in all four Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

In Luke 19:28-44, the event is described in detail. Jesus, having said certain things to His disciples, went on ahead to Jerusalem. When He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called Olivet, He sent two of His disciples into the village in front of them. He instructed them to find a colt tied on which no one has ever sat and bring it to Him. If anyone were to ask why they were untying it, they were to say, 'The Lord has need of it.'. This was fulfilled just as Jesus had told them.

As Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem, people spread their cloaks on the road. The whole multitude of His disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen. They said, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!". This event is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as Zechariah 9:9, which says, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The triumphant entry is considered a symbol of Jesus' messiahship and kingship. However, the crowd's expectation of Jesus as a political and military leader who would overthrow Roman rule was not Jesus' actual mission. Instead of a conquering king, Jesus came as the Prince of Peace, emphasizing spiritual salvation.

I hope this exploration helps you understand the connection of the Bible verses to the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask.

The arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem was not a random event, but a fulfillment of prophecies that had been spoken centuries before. In Zechariah 9:9, the prophet Zechariah foretold of a king who would come riding on a donkey, a symbol of peace. This prophecy was fulfilled in Matthew 21 when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, signifying His peaceful intentions. This event was not only a fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy but also of the prophecies in Genesis 49:10-11 and Isaiah 62:11, which foretold the coming of a Savior.

2. The King’s Compassion and Healing

Jesus’ kingship was marked by compassion and healing. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and comforted the broken-hearted. His miracles were not just displays of power, but expressions of His deep love and compassion for humanity. In Matthew 11:4-5, Jesus tells John’s disciples to report what they have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. These miracles fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 35:5-6, which says, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing.”

Jesus’ ministry was marked by compassion and healing, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. The scriptures abound with examples of Jesus' compassion and healing ministry. Isaiah 35:5-6 foretells of the King who will make the blind see, the mute sing, and the lame leap like a deer. In Matthew 11:4-5, Jesus declares, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

In Matthew, Mark, John, and Luke, we witness the King's miraculous healing touch - restoring sight to the blind, cleansing lepers, healing the sick, and even demonstrating compassion by restoring the ear of a soldier who came to arrest Him. These acts of compassion and healing reveal the heart of our King, who is moved by the suffering of His people and extends His healing touch to all in need.