“What Kind of King is Jesus?”

What Kind of King is Jesus?

Mark 11:1-10 (New Revised Standard Version)

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

What do you imagine when you picture what the entrance for a king should look like?

Herod Antipas and Pontius Pilate processed into Jerusalem with scores of soldiers, chariots, and regalia.

This was to show their power and control.

There was a third processional that happened on that day. It was for well-known man of the region who didn’t have thousands of troops by his side, or flowing robes from a brawny steed.

He came alone, on the back of a simple donkey.

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion. Sing aloud, Daughter Jerusalem. Look, your king will come to you. He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and riding on a colt, the offspring of a donkey. –Zechariah 9:9

The Jews in Jerusalem would have known the words of the prophet Zechariah.

When they would have looked up and saw the famous miracle man riding into town on a donkey, they would have known he was the king spoken of.

Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna: Means “save us now.”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” was a Psalm recited to welcome kings back to Jerusalem as they returned victorious from war.

What kind of king was Jesus?

Sunday: He humbled himself and put others before him as he rode towards his destiny.

Monday: He refuses to allow his people to be taken advantage of, particularly by those who do so in the name of God

Tuesday: He commanded us to love each other, not take advantage of each other’s weaknesses.

Wednesday: He spent one of his final meals with lepers and was anointed with oil, not by a well-known priest or teacher, but a prostitute.

Thursday: He saw himself as a servant willing to suffer for his people.

Friday: He is a king that died so that you and I might know the love and mercy of God, that we might have the opportunity to accept it, and to follow him.