This Sunday we celebrate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem in the final week of His life. We often call this the \u201cTriumphal Entry.\u201d Finally, Jesus is recognized as the king He really is. Or so it seems.<\/p>\n
In Luke\u2019s account, Jesus \u201cset his face to go to Jerusalem\u201d in Luke 9:51; ever since, He has been headed this direction. Finally in chapter 19, He arrives.<\/p>\n
Now, He does not become king at this point \u2013 He has been king from the beginning. Indeed, in Luke 1:33 the angel Gabriel tells Mary, \u201cHe will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Yet it is not obvious at the beginning of His public ministry that He is king. While often speaking of the kingdom, Jesus does not proclaim, \u201cI am the king.\u201d Indeed, John tells us that He withdrew when a crowd wanted to make Him king (John 6).<\/p>\n
As Jesus approaches Jerusalem in the final months of His life, however, He declares that He is king more and more clearly Consider how Luke brings this out:<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Jesus still has made no overt claim to kingship.<\/p>\n
But now the day has come. His death is imminent. He must show that He is king, and that the king will suffer and die for His people. So now He acts out His kingly role.<\/p>\n
Following Jesus\u2019 commands, the disciples place Him on a young donkey, in fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9-10 about the coming of the King. They then spread out their cloaks in the donkey\u2019s path \u2013 the equivalent of rolling out the red carpet for Him.<\/p>\n
As He travels toward Jerusalem, a huge crowd gathers, rejoicing and praising God. They have seen His many mighty works; now they are ready to name this man King. So they quote Psalm 118, crying out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!\u201d (Luke 19:38). There is no ambiguity now. The crowds proclaim, \u201cHe\u2019s the One! He\u2019s the Messiah.\u201d<\/p>\n
They continue, \u201cPeace in heaven and glory in the highest!” This echoes the announcement of the angels to the shepherds of Bethlehem (Luke 2:14).<\/p>\n
Jesus is<\/em> the king. He is<\/em> the one who brings peace. He is<\/em> the one who brings glory to God. These people are right<\/em> to praise God for his mighty works.<\/p>\n The Pharisees have been concerned about Jesus\u2019 claims to authority. This has come out particularly when he has declared sins forgiven, and claimed lordship over the Sabbath. So they now appeal to Jesus himself! \u201cTeacher,\u201d they call out \u2013 note that they don\u2019t refer to Him as \u201cLord\u201d or \u2018King\u201d \u2013 \u201crebuke your disciples!\u201d (Luke 19:39).<\/p>\n But Jesus responds, \u201cI tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:40). That is, \u201cThis proclamation must happen! I must be acknowledged as King! All creation exists to proclaim that I am worthy, that I am God!\u201d<\/p>\n So at this point, the crowds seem to see Jesus rightly. And even inanimate objects \u2013 stones! \u2013 see Him this way. Jesus\u2019 enemies see less clearly than the stones.<\/p>\n Then Jesus, in His moment of apparent triumph, weeps over Jerusalem \u2013 that is, over the very people who are rejoicing that He is King! He says, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes\u201d (Luke 19:42).<\/p>\n So while the crowd is calling out, \u201cPeace in heaven and glory in the highest,\u201d Jesus seems to be saying that many of these proclaiming Him King, do not truly see Him. <\/em><\/p>\n Jesus explains by prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem (which the Romans will carry out forty years later). He says that this will happen \u201cbecause you did not know the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:44).<\/p>\n Understand this: Jerusalem will be destroyed<\/p>\n And who among those in Jerusalem fails to recognize Immanuel? Who will consequently suffer? Surely the Pharisees, those who overtly oppose Him. But not only them. Also many of these same people shouting, \u201cHosanna!\u201d So Jesus, in the midst of this jubilation, when He is finally being rightly honored as king, cries out, \u201cMany of you still don\u2019t see Me rightly. And therefore judgment will come upon you.\u201d<\/p>\n Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, for most of its citizens \u2013 even of those hailing Him as king \u2013 are full of pride, of self-righteousness, of rebellion against God. Jesus came to pay the penalty for that rebellion, to take on Himself the punishment that they deserve. But with few exceptions they fail to recognize that. He is in their midst. Many rejoice in Him briefly. But in the end they reject Him. Seeing, they do not see (Luke 8:10).<\/p>\n This is a sobering word for us today. We sing, proclaiming Jesus is Lord. We smile and exult on Palm Sunday. We confess that we are subjects of King Jesus.<\/p>\n But do we recognize Jesus in all His power, all His glory, all His sovereignty?<\/p>\n Do we see Him not <\/em>as a power that we can control, not even as a being we can understand, but as the ruling Lord, who has all authority and power?<\/p>\n Some in the crowd who shouted, \u201cBlessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!\u201d turned on Him when He failed to live up to their expectations. What about you? He is not subject to your expectations. Will you turn on Him? Will you see Him as He truly is?<\/p>\n Confess that there is nothing in you that deserves his favor or compassion.<\/p>\n Fall on your face! Weep over your hardheartedness! Weep over his sovereign grace! Delight in His mercy!<\/p>\n Come to Him. For He is gentle and humble of heart. And you will find rest and peace for your souls.<\/p>\n\n
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