INTRO

In the beginning of Mark 11, Jesus enters Jerusalem in what we often call the Triumphal Entry. But this is FAR MORE than a parade scene.

It’s a moment carefully arranged by God. It was predicted centuries earlier. And the common people involved understood the message. But today many miss the point.

Now before you start saying to yourself “What does this matter to me?” let me tell you this. If Jesus truly revealed Himself as King on that day, then that changes how he expects us to see Him. And even more important, how we live before Him.

• If Jesus is the king of your life, you understand your place in relationship to Him. He is the king, and we are the peasants, his workers. Life is simple

  • If Jesus is the king of your life, you trust His authority. No one, including ourselves, has the right to challenge the King.

  • If Jesus is the king of your life, you have the opportunity and privilege to live under His care. He is our benefactor and will supply every need.

  • And IF Jesus is the king of your life, your faith can flourish as you continually follow Him

So the big question is, is He King??

Let’s walk through what happened on this day and see for ourselves. Let’s see if he is king.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-3) He sent two disciples into a nearby village. He gave them some very specific instructions and information. They would find a colt of a donkey tied there. No one had ever ridden this animal. Their instructions were to untie it and bring it to Him. And if anyone asked why they were taking it, their response was to say, “The Lord has need of it.”

They went. And everything happened exactly as Jesus said it would. He had predicted the future, and it had come true.

They brought the colt to Jesus. They placed their coats on it as a signal, or sign, to everyone who would be seeing Him. Jesus sat on it. Then the small procession began moving toward Jerusalem.

Then the scene swelled.  As others recognized the riding of a colt with cloaks on it, they began to spread THEIR cloaks on the road. They recognized the sign. Others ran to the edges of the fields and cut branches and laid them down in the road. Jesus was receiving the ultimate “red carpet” treatment of his day.

The crowds began shouting: (Mark 11:9) “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” They were welcoming Him like royalty as he was entering a city.

And Jesus did not stop them. Instead, He accepted their worship, their less-than-formal proclamation that he was the promised king.

He rode into Jerusalem. He went into the temple. He looked around. Then left Jerusalem, going to Bethany. He left quietly. Deliberately. Purposefully.

Now did we, the enlightened people of the 21^st century, miss anything? Did you and I recognize all the indicators as to who Jesus was? 

On that day, both those who watched and those who participated recognized the symbols and the meanings. Every detail shouted at them. They recognized 5 symbols. Let’s see what they were.

First — the donkey. In the ancient world, kings rode donkeys in times of peace. This was a symbol of peaceful royalty.

Second symbol— a colt that had never been ridden. Animals unused by man were reserved for sacred purposes. They were set apart, sanctified.

Third — the coats on the animal and the road. The first recorded time garments were placed under a king was when Jehu was proclaimed king. The people laid garments beneath him. It was an act of submission to royalty. 2 Kings 9:13  Then in haste every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.”

Fourth symbol — the crowd’s praise. They used words from Psalm 118. “Hosanna” is a Hebrew word mean “Oh, Save!” The language of that chapter is tied to deliverance by KING David.

And fifth symbol — Jesus accepted it all. The Pharisees, who were already trying to get Jesus out of the picture permanently, objected (in Luke’s account) to the shouts of the crowd. The Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke his disciples and make the crowd be quiet. He did more than refuse. He told them, Luke 19:40  …“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Everything about this moment said The King has come. Not as the conqueror of Rome. But as God’s prophesied one bringing peace.

It was exactly as Zechariah 9:9 foretold: “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey.”

How does this benefit you?

Since this event thoroughly and completely reveals Jesus as King, we MUST figure out what it means for us. Note these 5 realizations

First — it defines our position with Jesus. He is so superior. We are servants. Luke recorded, Luke 17:10  So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Second — it gives your life a healthy direction. A king’s subjects live under his authority. With Jesus reigning, there is no stress in determining what is the best way to live. Now, the King gives us direction and purpose to everything in life.

Third realization — it provides you with God’s security. A good king supplies what his subjects need. Listen to Matthew 7:9-11  Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?  (10)  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?  (11)  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Fourth — The opportunity at God’s peace is in your control.
Jesus came riding a symbol of peace — not a war horse. When we let Jesus operate as King, his ways can remove the offenses that keep you and God separated. You, by choosing Jesus as King, will have peace with God. Listen to Paul’s writing to the Ephesians 2:14-16  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility  (15)  by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,  (16)  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

 And fifth realization— Your faith can grow. The disciples watched Jesus predict events exactly. Every time you obey Jesus, like they did, you get to see your King better and better. And your faith grows more and more.

Trust, combined with obedience, leads you toward a deeper and more durable faith.

So I ask you to take note of some striking details.

Jesus arranged every detail. The location. The timing. The exact animal. What the response should be. The crowd and how they would respond. And the prophecy he was fulfilling.
This was not some unorganized spontaneous act of enthusiasm. Jesus was fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy of Zech 9:9.

For centuries Israel waited for her King. And on this specific day — the signs were unmistakable.

Yet, some in that day still misunderstood Him. They wanted political deliverance from the Romans. They wanted their political freedom again. But Jesus didn’t ride the donkey for political reasons. He was trying to show them, and us, how he came as a spiritual ruler over a spiritual kingdom.

After all this, the questions of the day still stand. You need to answer them.
Is Jesus your King? Or just another politician?

On that day in Jerusalem, people laid coats on a road. Today, the road may be different, but the questions are the same.
Will you recognize Him as King? Will you submit to Him as King? Will you trust Him as King?

Because when Jesus truly enters your life as King, He does not conquer by force. He reigns through peace.

If you want to know more about following Jesus as Lord and King,
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Thank you for watching. We hope to see you every day. Until tomorrow, goodbye for now.