When the King Entered the Holy City
VBC Albuquerque · Feb 18, 2024
This sermon explores the significance of Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem on the Sunday before His final Passover week. The pastor emphasizes three truths: the King came at the exact time appointed by God, He came in a manner of humility utterly unlike earthly kings, and He came to save those chosen by Him from sin rather than from Rome's dominion.
The opening section establishes that one-third of all four Gospels focuses on a single week - the final week of Jesus Christ's earthly life. The story of His entry into Jerusalem is recorded in all four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This event fulfills the prophecy spoken by Zechariah 600 years earlier, when the King rode on a donkey into the city to execute God's plan of salvation.
The second section develops the theme of God's appointed time. Previously, Jesus had instructed His disciples not to publicly declare His identity as the Messiah because the time had not yet come. But on the Sunday morning of His final week, the appointed time of God had arrived. The crowds cried out "Hosanna to the Son of David," a prayer invoking the Messiah to save them. This was the moment Jesus publicly confirmed His identity as King and Messiah, fulfilling the predictions made by Old Testament prophets hundreds of years before. This declaration occurred at precisely the moment God had ordained, neither earlier nor later.
The third section develops the theological contrast between King Jesus and earthly kings. The people hoped for a king like others—one who would ride war horses, bear weapons, and conquer Rome through military might. But King Jesus rode a donkey, symbolizing humility and compassion. He did not come to expand territory or power, but to sacrifice His own body. God's kingdom is not based on force or worldly authority, but on love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The values of God's kingdom are inverted: the first become last, servants are honored, the humble are exalted.
The fourth section emphasizes that King Jesus not only spoke magnificent words but lived them. On Thursday evening He washed the disciples' feet. On Friday He suffered unjust trials, torture, and died on the cross between two thieves—all to redeem humanity. To believe Jesus is Savior while rejecting Him as King of one's life is a fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus. Receiving Jesus must be total—acknowledging Him both as Savior and as Lord over every area of life.
The final section applies the message to the present: believers who trust Jesus do so not merely because they chose Him, but because God chose them. At Golgotha, as Jesus died, two thieves reacted differently—one mocked Him, the other repented and asked for mercy. Jesus promised the repentant thief that he would be with Him in paradise. Whether among thousands or just two thieves, every person ultimately faces only two choices: accept or reject. Believers should give thanks to God for choosing them and enabling the Holy Spirit to help them receive Jesus not only as Savior but as the Lord of their lives.