Often when Jesus would heal people He would tell them to go their way and to keep quiet about what had taken place (Mark 7:35-36) (Mark 8:29-30) (Mark 9:8-9) (Luke 8:55-56). Now there is a change as Jesus ascends up to Jerusalem. Jesus chose this setting to reveal Himself as “King,” even as the long awaited “Messiah.” Those who enthusiastically welcome Jesus to Jerusalem as the “King of Israel” are some of the same people who, in a week’s time, will be crying out for His crucifixion (John 19:14-15). Yet Jesus was resolute in fulfilling the Father’s will, to die for His own, and to remove their sin and replace it with His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus made it known that He would not be stopped from going to Jerusalem, even to His death (Luke 9:51) (Luke 13:34-35). I rejoice that He did not quit, that He did not change His mind, that He remained committed to obeying the will of God (Zechariah 9:9). He Is The King! What do you think of when you hear the term “King”? What defines a King in your thinking? Usually we think of Kings as wielding great power, having great wealth, great fame. For the Jewish people the term King implied a political ruler who would arrive in glory and free them from Roman oppression. They eagerly anticipated this, and their prophets had long proclaimed a coming Messiah who would be God’s chosen one to free them. Imagine this is the King you are waiting for, who will lead Israel’s armies to victory. IMAGINEImagine your people are oppressed – you have had enough – your anger – the time has come – you’ve heard that the King is on His way – your deliverance is going to happen
Surely now Jesus will rise up against the Romans? Right? – Call upon his armies of angels? Right? Fight on Israel’s behalf against her enemies? Right? He rides into Jerusalem on a “donkey.” He comes “gentle” and riding on a donkey. Leaving them with the question…. “Who is this?” (Matthew 21:10-11). Who is this Jesus called the Christ?
Jesus Himself proclaimed to be a King with a kingdom (John 18:33-37). After His resurrection He claimed the extent of His rule (Matthew 28:18) (Ephesians 1:19-23). His Kingship and kingdom are proclaimed in the book of Revelation where we can see He is the ruler over the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5). Where those in Christ Jesus are in His kingdom (Revelation 1:9). Where those who persevere to the end will rule with Him even as He now reigns (Revelation 3:19-21). He is truly “Lord of lords and King of kings – (Revelation 17:14) (Revelation 19:11-16). I wonder, are you really looking for His return for you?