The Return of the King

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

~ Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem reveals his role as a humble, judging king, challenging the expectations of ancient royal visits and calling for spiritual introspection.

Website | YouTube | Sermon Files

Expand here for the scripture passage

Matthew 21: 1-11 1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: This sermon explores Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as described in Matthew 21:1-11, emphasizing the paradox of his kingship. Jesus enters humbly on a donkey, fulfilling prophecies that highlight the unexpected nature of God’s wisdom. The narrative draws parallels between traditional royal visits, where kings assess their realms, and Jesus’ arrival, which serves as both a royal parade and an inspection of spiritual integrity. The sermon contrasts the pomp of earthly kings with Jesus’ humility, who comes not with grandeur but with divine authority, symbolized by his choice of transport. It delves into themes of judgment, as Jesus is not only celebrated but also comes to judge Israel’s faithfulness. The crowd’s acclamation, calling him “Son of David,” recognizes him as the Messiah, yet they misunderstand his mission, expecting political restoration rather than spiritual judgment. The sermon also reflects on how this event challenges believers to examine their lives, acknowledging sin, yet embracing the mercy and grace offered through Jesus, who is both judge and advocate.

Key Points:

• Jesus enters Jerusalem humbly, riding on a donkey, fulfilling prophecies of the Messiah.
• The crowds acclaim Jesus as the Son of David, anticipating a restoration of Israel’s former glory.
• Jesus’ entry signifies a royal visitation for judgment, testing the righteousness of Israel.
• The sermon highlights the paradox of Jesus’ kingship, appearing humble yet holding divine authority.
• It emphasizes the need for repentance and recognition of Jesus as the righteous King who will judge all nations.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 21:1-11
• Isaiah 40
• Zechariah (specifically 9:9)

Humor and Anecdotes:

• The story of the village of Goten, where the wise men’s seemingly foolish actions masked true wisdom, illustrating the cost of receiving honor.
• Anecdotes about kings disguising themselves to assess their kingdom’s state firsthand, highlighting the theme of true wisdom hidden in unexpected forms.

Key Quotes:

• “The king has come, that he has died, that he has risen, that he is enthroned at the right hand of the Father and that this King Jesus Christ who rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is coming again to make all things new.”
• “He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found.”

Themes:

• Humility in Kingship: Jesus’ humble entry challenges conventional notions of kingship, emphasizing righteousness over grandeur.
• Judgment and Righteousness: The sermon explores the theme of judgment, highlighting Jesus’ role as the righteous King who will assess and judge all nations.
• Mercy and Grace: The message of mercy and grace through Christ’s sacrifice underscores the call to respond by proclaiming this good news to others.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ humble entry challenge our perceptions of power and authority in today’s world?
2. In what ways can we emulate Jesus’ humility and righteousness in our daily lives, especially when faced with societal expectations?
3. Reflecting on the theme of judgment, how can we prepare ourselves to stand before the King when he returns?

Metaphors and Stories:

• The metaphor of Jesus riding a donkey symbolizing humility and righteous kingship, drawing parallels to Israelite kings like Solomon.
• The comparison between Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the prophesied return in Revelation 19, depicting a majestic King coming to judge with righteousness.

This sermon analysis provides a deep dive into the themes, messages, and storytelling techniques employed to convey the significance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and its implications for believers today.