Introduction

Good morning, dear family of God. It's a wonderful day to gather together in the love and light of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are here to share in the richness of His word, to draw strength from its wisdom and to find comfort in its promises.

Today, we are turning our hearts and minds to a profound passage of Scripture. We are setting our sights on the triumphant entry of the King, the unexpected conquest of His kingdom, and His reign over sin, death, and the devil himself. We will be meditating on Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Hebrews 1:1-2, and 1 Peter 2:21.

King's Unexpected Conquest

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, as depicted in the Gospel of Matthew, is a scene that is both familiar and profoundly mysterious. It's a moment that's been depicted in countless works of art, celebrated in song, and reenacted in passion plays around the world. Yet, it's also a moment that challenges our expectations and assumptions about power, victory, and kingship.

In the ancient world, a king's conquest was typically marked by displays of power and might. Kings would ride into cities on chariots or warhorses, demonstrating their strength and asserting their dominance. But Jesus, our King, chose a different path. He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, a humble and unassuming creature. This was not the entrance of a conquering hero, but of a servant leader.

This unexpected conquest is a powerful reminder of the upside-down nature of God's kingdom. In God's kingdom, the last are first, the meek inherit the earth, and the humble are exalted. Jesus, the King of Kings, did not come to be served, but to serve. His conquest was not one of military might, but of sacrificial love.

The choice of a donkey as Jesus' mode of transport is also significant. In the cultural context of the time, a donkey was a symbol of peace. By riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus was signaling that his kingdom was not one of violence and coercion, but of peace and reconciliation. This was a radical departure from the expectations of the time, and it's a reminder for us today that the ways of God's kingdom often defy our human expectations.

The crowds that greeted Jesus as he entered Jerusalem also play a crucial role in this story. They laid their cloaks on the road and waved palm branches, shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" These actions were not just expressions of joy and adoration, but also acts of subversion. By hailing Jesus as the Son of David, the crowds were acknowledging him as the true King of Israel, in contrast to the Roman authorities who ruled over them.

Yet, even as the crowds hailed him as king, Jesus knew that his path would lead to the cross. His conquest would not be secured through force or political maneuvering, but through his death and resurrection. This is the paradox at the heart of the Christian faith: that through death, life is won; through surrender, victory is achieved.

Kingdom Beyond Jerusalem

As we continue our reflection, we find ourselves moving beyond the borders of Jerusalem, beyond the physical realm of an earthly kingdom ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO