The King they didn’t want. Luke 19
This past Sunday is known in most church circles as Palm Sunday. Traditionally it is recognized as the Sunday that Jesus arrived at Jerusalem and entered as a King. He arrived with fanfare and celebration and vaunted as a king. The “triumphal entry” account is found in multiple books but look what Matthew 21 has to say,
“They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.””
Now upon first reading this you might think that this was an incredible way to receive Jesus! That the joyful crowds were very accepting of him. This isn’t the case however. Yes they’re welcoming him as a king, but as the king they want him to be. The branches they spread on the road are essentially a flag symbolizing their desire to overthrow the romans, the cloaks on the ground is an act of submission to a conquering king, even the song they sing is a national anthem of sorts!
This is also not the first time they have done this for a conquering hero. Decades before Jesus, a rebel named Judas Maccabeus entered Jerusalem in much the same way, with the waving of palm branches and the singing of their national anthem.
I wonder if you’ve ever heard of Kevin Baugh? Kevin refers to himself as “his excellency the king” because this guy is the self-proclaimed exalted ruler of the republic of Melosia. Good luck trying to find it on a map!
It’s his own little creation in Nevada and he decided personally, years ago, to become independent from the United States of America. The boundaries of his “kingdom” are the 1.3 acres surrounding his home in Dayton. He even has his own post office, phone system, currency and his own navy - currently consisting of a few kayaks and fishing boats.
To me this is a hilarious story, and it represents an inner desire that we all have. You see most of us really enjoy being king over our own little kingdoms. The king over all that we seemingly own. We crave control.
When Jesus arrives in Jerusalem he over looks the city and weeps (Luke 19) and he says,
“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”
Jesus arrives in Jerusalem as a King but not as the king they wanted.
Nobody receives him as the King of kings, as Lord of lords.
He comes not to wipe out the enemy but to win them over. He comes not as a conquering hero to fix our circumstances, but as a suffering servant to save us from ourselves.
My prayer for you and I is that we don’t make their mistake. They wanted him king over their circumstances but not over themselves.
Is he the king of your life?
-
1. Read Luke 19, How have you received Jesus in your life? Is he King over your life? or just your Sunday?
2. How can you share this message this week with someone?
