April 9, 2006

Luke 19:28 – 44
Remembering Jesus: King of Kings (part 6)

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
[Zechariah 9:9]

This may have been the most unusual event in Jesus’ life. Jesus was publically announcing the He is the Messiah - “the anointed one,” who was to be King.

I. The MAJESTY of the King.

A. The King is gentle.

1. “Greatness is the ability to condescend.”

a. Jesus came riding a donkey (commoner), not a horse (military, royal).

b. Philippians 2:6 – 11 (read)

1.) “Made Himself nothing...”

2.) “Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place.”

c. Revelation 5:1 – 10 (read)

1.) “Lion of the tribe of Judah.”

2.) “Lamb, looking as if it had been slain.”

3.) “You are worthy... because you were slain...”

2. Man aspires to rule and achieve... Jesus humbled Himself to serve and provide.

B. The King is righteous.

1. Jesus was “so righteous” that even the experts of the Law could not find a valid accusation against Him.

a. They had watched Him carefully.

b. They set traps for Him.

c. They used false witnesses.

d. Even Judas, who betrayed Jesus said, “I have betrayed innocent blood.” [Matthew 27:4]

2. Jesus was/is the “sinless”/perfect lamb.

a. What we call “Palm Sunday” was the 10th day of the month... according to O.T. Law, that was the day the Passover Lamb was chosen.

b. Jesus became that perfect Passover lamb.

c. Jesus was... “tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.” [Hebrews 4:5b]

II. The MASTERY of the King.

A. Jesus calmed a donkey.

1. Nobody questioned Jesus’ claim to use the donkey.

2. It was a “small” demonstration of Jesus’ lordship.

a. Jesus had commanded devils to leave.

b. Jesus had calmed the sea.

c. Jesus had healed the sick.

d. Jesus had walked on water.

e. Jesus had known the thoughts of people.

f. Jesus had changed the physical elements (water into wine).

g. Jesus had forgiven sin.

h. Jesus had fed 5,000+ with 5 loaves and 2 fish (and had left overs).

B. The King tamed a donkey.

1. It takes 8 weeks to “break” a donkey.

2. It takes even longer to train a donkey to behave in a crowd of shouting people.

III. The MINISTRY of the King.

A. The King brings righteousness.

1. We need righteousness.

a. Look at the sins running/driving our country.

b. Our church leaders have confessed to an ungodly obsession with numbers and pragmatism.

c. Our own lives are full of inconsistences.

2. Righteousness can only be when Jesus is King!

B. The King brings salvation.

1. “The blood of the covenant.”

a. [Matthew 26:28] “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

b. freedom to prisoners (to sin).

Proverbs 5:22 – 23, “The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.”

2. The sacrifice on the cross brings salvation...

a. ...from the penalty of our sin.

b. ...from the guilt of our sin.

c. ...from the power of our sin.

d. ...from the presence of sin.

1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

IV. The MANDATE of the King.

A. You must answer the question: “Who is this?”

1. Is Jesus someone who lived a good life and gives good advice?

2. Is Jesus some sort of deceiver? (A con, liar, or insane person)

3. Is Jesus truly King?

B. You must answer the question: “What now?”

1. Will you walk away and say...

a. “Not for me.”

b. “Not today, I’ll think about it.”

c. “I need time.”

2. Will you bend your knee to King Jesus?