April 13, 2025

A King Rides into Jerusalem

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Matthew 21:1-17
Service Type:
  • The Old Testament has a lot of prophecies about the Messiah
    • A King
    • A Prophet like unto Moses
    • A great high priest
  • In Matt 21 – Prophet, Priest and King
    • No one in the Old Testament could hold all three offices
    • However, one would come who could fulfil all three
  • Matthew’s gospel focuses on Jesus Christ as King
    • Examples of the Angel Gabriel, The Magi/Wise Men, John the Baptist
    • Example of Jesus preaching on the Kingdom of Heaven and being the ‘King of the Jews’
  • Matt 21 – a King riding into Jerusalem
    • His palace, throne, army, riches and subjects?
    • We see the fulfilment of Zech 9 (Matt 21:5)
      • It is incongruous to think a king would ride on a donkey
  • Overview
    • A King who governs all history
    • A King worthy of all praise
    • A King whose only goal is to glorify God

A King who governs all history

  • Have you thought about the Old Testament prophecies that were exactly fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ?
    • There were many eye witnesses
    • Christ could not ‘humanly’ fulfil prophecies – like His birth (Micah 5:2), being taken as a refugee into Egypt, on the cross
  • You must conclude this is God
    • Jesus / God is the governor of history
    • Jesus is fulfilling all that is written about Him
  • Do you believe the Bible is the very word of God?
    • Infallible and without error
    • It has been written by God who cannot lie
    • All the little details fulfilled
  • Christ is coming humbly and lowly – to take His place on the cross and fulfil the plans and purposes of God
    • Have you believed in the person of Jesus?
    • Do you believe in His personal sacrifice for you?
    • Salvation is by faith
      • "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved"

A King worthy of all praise

  • An amazing scene – palm branches, cloaks set on the ground, singing/shouting Hosana
  • How are the common people praising Him when the religious leaders were plotting His death?
    • Everyone is talking about the raising of Lazarus
    • People are starting to ask if this is the Messiah, the Son of David?
      • They recognise He is worthy of praise – they take a verse from Psalm 118:26 and apply it to Jesus
      • Yet they do not understand the significance of the words – ‘save now’
  • What attracted the people: the miracles/His power, but the beauty of His humility
    • He came on a donkey
    • Jesus referred to Himself as ‘meek and lowly of heart’ (Matt 11:29)
    • He welcomed sinners – preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins
    • Examples of Jesus humility
    • The King of Kings and Lord of Lords – stooping so low
      • So different to human leaders – examples
  • He is worthy of all praise – for who He is and what He has done

A King whose only goal is to glorify God

  • If you did not know – you would think this King would be inaugurated in a palace
    • The whole city was moved (v10)
    • Yet it did not go to His head
  • He went into the temple and turned over the tables of the money changers
    • The court of the Gentiles was to be a place of prayer and worship
      • Jesus knows that God would bring in the Gentiles
      • Isa 54/56
    • Do we stand up for the gospel?
  • The leaders tried to silence the children (through jealousy)
    • Isa 35 and v14
    • The leaders will not accept it
      • Have you accepted Jesus as God’s Son?
    • Do you criticise those who sincerely worship God?
  • Rev 19:11 – Jesus will come triumphantly to judge
    • Reading Rev 19:11-16
    • May this day not overtake you
  • Find the gentle lowly Saviour now
    • Repent and ask forgiveness for all your sins
    • Believe in Him and be saved
    • Be resurrected with a glorious body
    • Trust Him
    • Love and serve Him