Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a | Philippians 2:5-11 | Matthew 27:11-66
Processional Gospel & Text: John 12:12-19
The crowd had a legitimate reason to celebrate Jesus’ coming. They had witnessed an amazing thing: The way of all the earth (death) had been reversed!
Sit with that for a minute: Death is a powerful enemy. It looms large over our lives, robbing us of the futures we dream of, the friends and family we hold close. Certainly it came to Martha and Mary unexpectedly—unwanted—for their beloved brother, Lazarus. It was this which Jesus upended! He alone had the power to tell death “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43) ‘Let him go!’, and it yielded!
So, who wouldn’t want to receive Jesus as King? It was a coronation scene that Jesus was welcomed into that Palm Sunday. Palm branches laid on the ground, a welcoming party of a large crowd shouted “Hosanna! [Save us, Lord!] Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” Who wouldn’t want a king who could do such things? He had certainly proven Himself worthy by His miracles, hadn’t He?
But it’s more than a king which people need. They’ve had many kings before, some great like David and Solomon, some terrible like Ahaz, who put the Lord to the test (Isaiah 7:12-13). Human beings have a problem which refused to be solved by rulership and the Law. If it were, then surely God could have raised up a faithful king (or dynasty) which would at last do what had not been done heretofore.
Jesus was called by others the Son of David, but it was a peculiar dynasty. David was called by the Lord as “a man after His own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14) But this people needed more. This people—the human race—needed a king who would also bear the sins of the people. It was this King, named “Jesus,” of whom it was said by the angel, “he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21)
So, Jesus had more than a coronation that day. In less than a week’s time, He would be betrayed by even His disciples. He would be condemned publicly as an insurrectionist, as one worthy of death. In the eyes of God, He would be the greatest sinner—utterly forsaken and destitute. By this point, He is hardly recognizable as King.
Yet, with eyes of faith, we can still see Him as a true King: His death is chosen, so that a murderer (Barabbas) may go free. The innocent Man is condemned by the guilt of the many. He is mocked in the eyes of man, but honored and precious in the sight of God because by His sacrifice, He saves the wayward and broken humanity. They need more than a King; they need a substitute. They need a sacrificial Lamb, a righteous One to take their place entirely.
Jesus is King over a kingdom of the unworthy, the former rebels and enemies. He is the King and Savior of Sinners. “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” Behold your King, though mocked, bleeding, dying, is your very life and salvation.
Jesus is the very King whom you and I need.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
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