Mathew 21:1-11
The legend of King Arthur has captured our imaginations for centuries. From Le Morte d’Arthur to Disney's The Sword in the Stone, Boorman’s Excalibur, and BBC's Merlin. The story of the once and future king is fascinating. Every telling of this legend includes a sword (Excalibur) stuck in a stone that only the rightful king could draw out. When Arthur pulls the sword out, he is revealed to be the king that was promised.
We have our own king in Jesus, and Palm Sunday is when He revealed Himself to be the true and rightful king. But He's not just the king of Camelot or of Britain, but the king of all, the King of Kings.
Palm Sunday is traditionally celebrated on the Sunday before Easter and marks the beginning of Holy Week. It helps us remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed Him by waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!”
- Jesus is the sovereign king (vv. 1-3). … Jesus is in control. We see this as He sends His disciples to fetch the donkey and colt. Nothing would stand in His way as He prepared to reveal Himself as the prophesied king. Jesus didn’t just stumble into fulfilling this prophecy and riding a donkey into Jerusalem. He knew where the donkey was and sent for it. Even more than that, we've seen in other scripture that Jesus has dominion over nature and even life and death.
- Jesus is the promised king (vv. 4-5). … Scripture from the Old Testament prophets is quoted here to show that Jesus was fulfilling it. The world had been awaiting a king to redeem it since the fall in Genesis 3. Israel went a long time before getting their first (human) king and he was an utter disappointment. His successor, David was much better and God promised David that he would have a descendant on the throne for eternity. A few generations later, Israel no longer had a king and was waiting for the Son of David to return and take the throne. Jesus is of David's lineage. He is the king that was promised.
- Jesus is the humble king (vv. 6-8). … Other kings would never ride a donkey; they would ride in on a beautiful, powerful horse. Jesus announced His kingship by riding in on a lowly donkey. He traded in a throne in Heaven for a bed in s manger. He hid His glory and dawned working clothes. He lowered Himself, humbled Himself.
- Jesus is the praise-worthy king (v. 9). … The people in Jerusalem praised Jesus openly. They were looking for a rescuer, for a king who would clean the streets of Isreal of their Roman influence. They wanted a warrior king, a political king. Jesus was different. He came to defeat an enemy greater than Rome, greater than any occupying force or invader. Jesus came to defeat sin. Just a few days later, these people would change their tone and have Jesus crucified, allowing Him to fulfill His mission, to defeat sin and death.
The King Arthur legend is fun and fascinating, but the real once and future king is Jesus. He is the true and rightful king.
Obligatory “That’s My King” video. Watch this video if you haven’t seen it before. And if you have seen it, watch it again. You can thank me later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE
For Further Study/Resources Used to Prepare This Message
- Who is Jesus? by Greg Gilbert
- Exalting Jesus in Matthew by David Platt
- ESV Expository Commentary
- NIV Application Commentary
- Jesus’ Final Week by Bill Cook
- The Donkey Who Carried the King by R.C. Sproul