Page Two: “A Truly Humble King” - 03/24/2013
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So, my concern for Palm Sunday 2013 is this.
Does the Bible say Jesus is a King? And does it present Jesus as a Good King? Please follow as I read God’s Word and the account of Jesus entering into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. It begins at Luke 19:28. Luke 19:28 “And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. (29) And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, (30) Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. (31) And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. (32) And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. (33) And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? (34) And they said, The Lord hath need of him. (35) And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. (36) And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. (37) And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; (38) Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. (39) And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. (40) And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Now, does the Bible teach that Jesus Christ is a king? When you read the Gospel record, here’s what you find in the first book of the NT. The wise men had arrived in Jerusalem and told King Herod they were looking for the newborn King of the Jews. |
Here’s Matthew 2:2 “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
The wise men from the east believed. They had seen His star and had come to Israel to worship Him. Herod must have believed it too because he had all the Jewish baby boys two and under slain in hopes of stopping Jesus before He had an opportunity to grow up into manhood. So, yes, there were many who believed Jesus was a king. And what happened when it came to the LORD’s arrest and Jesus had to stand before Pilate? Here’s what we read. Mark 15:2 “And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it” [meaning “It is as you say”]. (15:12) “And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?” (13) And they cried out again, Crucify him. (14) Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. (15) And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. (16) And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. (17) And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, (18) And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! (19) And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. (20) And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.” Here’s what Matthew adds. Matthew 27:29 “And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!” (27:37) “And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (42) “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” |