Hosanna, The King is coming - Audio

Big Idea The so-called Triumphal Entry of Jesus seems rather confusing. The crowd welcomes Jesus as King of Israel, but we know that He did not come to rule as King in Jerusalem. But Jesus accepts their praise and even finds a donkey to add to the effect. Then Jesus declares that His real purpose in coming to Jerusalem is to die, and we know that this marks the beginning of the Passion week leading up to the Cross. So, what is the point of this grand parade? Jesus always draws a large crowd, but it seems out of character for Him to put on a show for the crowd. What is this about? Like the Disciples, we may admit we do not really understand what it all means? So what is the point of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as the King of Israel? Jesus is indeed the King of Israel, and His kingdom is a major theme in all of the Gospels including John’s. His grand entrance into Jerusalem fulfills prophecy because He does come as her King and He comes to bring His kingdom rule. The Crowd plays their part and declares Jesus as King but the unfolding of the story from this point on goes very differently than what the crowd expects. It's not because they are wrong about who Jesus is, rather it is because they do understand the nature of His kingdom. It is not like the worldly Kingdoms that surround them. It is a kingdom that originates in Heaven and operates with a heavenly purpose. It is not of the world (coming from the world) but it is coming to the world to change it forever. The crowd wants a king who will overthrow worldly rulers, but Jesus comes to overthrow a much greater enemy, in fact, the greatest enemies of all mankind - sin, and death. You overthrow worldly powers with military force and conquer nations with great armies. But, sin and death can only be overcome by the death of the righteous and perfect Lamb of God. Therefore, Jesus comes as Israel’s king, not to ascend to the heights of earthly power, but to sink to the depths of human suffering so that by His death He may save all those who will come to Him and follow Him. His is a kingdom of truth, not a kingdom of force. Worldly kingdoms operate on the principle of might and supremacy, but the kingdom of God operates on the principle of truth. There is no power greater than God and none more supreme, but He does not force anyone to accept His rule over their life. Instead, He rules over those who come to understand the truth - the truth about God, sin, and His salvation in Jesus. Those to whom it has been revealed see the truth, believe it, and their life is transformed by it. They follow Christ and submit to His rule over them in every area of their life - they are in the Kingdom and heirs of eternal life. They hate their life in the world because they know the truth about what lies ahead for those who believe!