4/2/23 - I am The King - Palm Sunday - John 12:12-19; Luke 19:28-35 - Pastor Jason Fritz

For several hundred years the church has spent the Sunday before Easter observing the triumphal entry of Jesus. He arrives in Jerusalem during Passover week on the back of a donkey. This event is commonly referred to as Palm Sunday. Luke chooses not to record the actual waving of palm branches but Matthew does. This is the kind of praise fit for a monarch. When a victorious king rode into town on his warhorse the people used palm branches to signal their loyalty and respect. But when Jesus rides into town he’s making a statement that was lost on many. He’s saying, “I am the true king, and not the kind you expect.” You see, when we examine the details of this event, we find some things that are very unusual. It turns out that Jesus is a king unlike any other.

The religious zealots in the crowd are watching the arrival. They don’t like this donkey ride. Donkeys implied peace so they would much rather see him on a white stallion ready to lead the rebellion against Rome. They didn’t understand Jesus’ purpose. In fact, very few did. If Jesus came riding a white horse, wielding a sword and chopping up Romans - what good is that? Instead, he says, “No I’m not coming in human power, I’m coming in divine humility and my kingdom will have a greater impact than you can imagine. It will not be established by force. I’m a different kind of king. I am a King of love and power.” This was proven a short time earlier when he raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus is not like the kings of this world. He is the humble King who comes to serve and to die for the people.

The history of human kings isn’t a great one. The world has been led astray by those who have said, “Give me the power and I will make decisions for you!” This doesn’t end well. The only king that won’t oppress you is Jesus because he died for you and he will liberate you - from yourself.  How do we know this? Because Jesus comes riding not on a warhorse but a donkey.