Regardless Of people's response, Jesus is the king of Kings

September 27, 2010

Regardless Of people's response, Jesus is the king of Kings

Luke 19:28-48

Kaylee Kaigler

Central Truth

Things turn out just as God has planned them, and that can absolutely be trusted.

So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them. (Luke 19:32)

The Triumphal Entry

28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”

47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.

This whole passage reveals Jesus as King. His disciples trusted His word and brought back an unbroken donkey for Him. The people threw their coats (some of which were quite valuable) at His donkey’s feet to honor Him as King. Adults and kids alike waved their palm branches joyfully.

But the triumphal entry was not all about honor and praise. The “bigwigs” (Pharisees) of that day weren’t happy about Jesus’ entry. He wept over the city of Jerusalem as he foresaw its future devastation. And He acted in righteous anger at the merchants doing business in the temple.

As I thought about this passage, I was reminded that, regardless of people’s responses to Him, Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the One who brings peace. He is the Son of the most powerful King of all time, who will remain so forever. He is the One who is sovereign over all the earth’s events.

This Jesus is a king worthy of our trust and our devotion!!! But we, as His followers, often forget that very thing. We miss what will give us peace, just as the city of Jerusalem did (19:41-44), and we are tempted to choose to act and believe things that cause us to stress out and be insecure. We forget the way of peace.

I thank God that over and over again He takes the mess-ups away and covers them in the sacrificed blood of His Son so that they disappear. We are cleansed so we can be His children and His useful temples once again.

The miracle of that transformation is indescribable and could only come from a perfect King. He is our King, and we should recognize Him as such. The disciples eventually did. Like them, we can follow, repent, and be safe in trusting in God’s unmatched love. And that is awesome!! Now, if only it were easy!

1. Knowing that God works everything for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28), what are areas in which you aren't trusting His sovereignty?

2. What are the things in your life that rob you of your peace?

3. On days when you experience ups and downs, what can you do to stay humble and calm?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Who were the two different kinds of people in the crowd with Jesus on the road (verses 37 and 39)? What was the difference in their two reactions?

2. Which group do you think you would have been in? Role-play things you would say today if people around you are telling you not to praise Jesus.