The King

Some kings are despots who care nothing for their subjects.  They are in it totally for selfish gain.  Others are much more benevolent in caring for the poor and for the overall good will of the community.  None, whether good or selfish, can match the absolute grace and humility that Jesus embodied when he entered Jerusalem to the cheers of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13).

Jesus could have commanded the company of legions, and legions of angels to prepare the way, but he did not.  He could have commanded the most impressively beautiful, strong horse to ride into the city, but he chose a donkey.  But we shouldn’t be surprised, for the three years of his earthly ministry he talked about those who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God. Not the powerful, not the rich and not the famous; rather it would be those who are the ones who serve others first.  Jesus spoke of the meek inheriting the earth, not the movers and shakers of society.

Those who opposed him could not understand him.  They were caught up with political power.  They never understood Jesus nor what his mission was all about.  The Pharisees were all about keeping up outward appearances of holiness and spiritual talk.  But they could not match Jesus wisdom as he spoke of destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days.  They did not grasp that he was talking about another kingdom that was not of this world.  It drove them crazy! In fact, it drove them to plan to do away with him once and for all.

Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost.  Lost in the darkness and death of the kingdom of evil.  He came to rescue those who were without God and without hope in the world.  The Apostle Paul said that he was commissioned to “open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive the forgiveness of sins..” (Acts 26:18).

I am so thankful that the King forgave my sins and made me a citizen of his kingdom.  It was nothing that I did, by his grace and mercy he drew me to himself kindly and gently.  Jesus is not a King who forces people to become members of his kingdom.  He never forces himself on anyone.  He invites you follow.

Palm Sunday is significant in that our Lord is recognized for who he really is.  But in the future he will enter the world with shouts of joy! Paul writes in Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Is He your King today?  You can become a member of his family by repentance of sin and confession of Christ as Lord of your life. If He is your king today, are you living each day to bring him glory?  What a privilege we have to bring glory to him each day!