Who is Jesus? He is a king.
The prophet Zechariah calls Jesus a king. He says, “Behold, your king is coming to you … mounted on a donkey.” The Palm Sunday crowd also called Jesus a king. They shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel” (Jn 12:13). Later in the week Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” and Jesus answered, in essence, “Yes—but my kingdom is not of this world.” The soldiers put on Jesus a scarlet robe, a crown of thorns, and a reed in his hand. Then they mocked him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews” (Matt 27:28-29). Pilate brought Jesus out and said to the Jewish leaders, “Behold your King.” They said, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:14-15). Pilate wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (John 19:19). Finally, the thief on the cross said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
We will learn today that Jesus is a king but not like the kings of this earth. He does not come drawing attention to himself, but he comes in humility. He does not come to be served by his subjects, but he came to serve them. He comes as a righteous king having salvation.
Scripture teaches that earthly authority is established by God. It is a divine institution. Romans 13 makes it clear that rulers are given for our good. Especially in a fallen world, they are to keep peace and order in the land. They are to punish evil and to defend those who do right. They are to protect life. Therefore, we pray for those in authority, that God would grant them wisdom and justice.
Unfortunately, some government leaders and rulers often abuse their authority. They force people to do things that are immoral. Rulers act unjustly, seeking power for themselves at the expense of others. Power is used not to serve, but to dominate.
History bears witness to this. Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and Mau Zedong used their authority not for the good of their people, but for their own gain bringing immense suffering and death. They unjustly killed millions of people.
The abuse of authority is not limited to nations. Authority is abused within marriage, when one spouse verbally or physically hurts the other. Authority is abused within the workplace, when employees are treated unfairly. Authority is abused in everyday relationships whenever one person seeks to control or harm another for selfish reasons.
This is the nature of our sinful flesh. Deep down, we grasp for power. We seek our own way. We want people to serve us rather us serving them in love.
Jesus speaks against this. He said to his disciples, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over [their subjects]. It shall not be so among you” (Matt 20:25-26). Jesus did not want his disciple to abuse authority like the pagan Gentiles of their day. They should not be like the kingdoms of the world, but they should reflect Christ.
So also with us, the abuse of authority shall not be so among us either. We are different from the pagan world. We love and serve one another. We reflect the light of Christ.
Look at how Jesus enters Jerusalem. There is no horse. There is no chariot. There is no army. There are no weapons. Instead, there is a donkey, a lowly animal. There is a humble entrance. The King of kings does not come in outward glory, but in meekness.
And yet the people recognize something. They spread their cloaks on the road. They cut down palm branches. They cry out with the words of Psalm 118: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna” means “save now.” It is a cry for deliverance.
But what kind of salvation are they expecting? Do they see Jesus as a political king who will overthrow Rome? Or do they recognize Him as the Savior from sin and death? We are not told exactly what they understood. But we do know this that Jesus came into Jerusalem to bring salvation to a fallen world.
Who is Jesus? The prophet Zechariah said, “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation.” Jesus is righteous. He is without sin. He is holy. He is the eternal Son of God in human flesh.
Earthly kings can make promises. They can pass laws. They can attempt to protect and provide. These things are good and necessary for society. But they cannot save you from sin. They cannot conquer death. They cannot give you eternal life. Jesus can. And Jesus does.
Jesus comes to give you His righteousness. He comes to take your sin upon Himself. He comes to rescue you from the power of the devil and to open the kingdom of heaven to you and for all who believe.
And how does He accomplish this? Not by earthly power, but in humility. He comes with gentleness. He comes not to be served, but to serve.
Earthly kings expect their subjects to die for them, but Jesus, the true King, dies for His subjects—for you.
He rides into Jerusalem not to sit on a golden throne, but the cross is His throne. He enters not into a palace, but in suffering. He goes not to be crowned with gold, but with thorns. His battle is not against flesh and blood, but against sin, death, and the devil.
Jesus enters Jerusalem in order to offer Himself as a righteous sacrifice on the cross. Our Epistle lesson said that Jesus “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” The spotless Lamb of God offers Himself as the Passover lamb in order to take away the sin of the world. He bears the wrath of God that we deserve. He takes upon Himself the guilt of the world. The sinless One dies for sinners.
On Good Friday, the world sees weakness. They say, “What God would send his Son to die by means of crucifixion?” But faith sees a King reigning from the cross. The inscription above His head speaks the truth: He is the King.
Jesus died, yet on the third day He rose from the dead—a resurrection we will celebrate next Sunday. The good news is that death is defeated. The devil is overcome and heaven is opened for you and for all who believe.
Even now, Jesus reigns in His Church, but not by coercion. Not by force. Not by threats. He reigns by His grace and mercy. He does not come to you with demands, but with gifts. He does not threaten you with punishment, but He speaks forgiveness. He does not burden you, but He gives you life and salvation.
You were brought into His kingdom through Holy Baptism. There, you were united with His death and resurrection. There, your sins were washed away. There, you were made a citizen of His eternal kingdom.
And now, as His people, you live differently than the world. Not perfectly—but differently. You live by faith toward God and with love toward your neighbor. You reflect the character of your King. You live lives of humility, mercy, and service toward one another. You avoid sin and you reflect a life of love, joy, and peace.
Your King comes to you today. Just as He once came to Jerusalem on a donkey, so He comes to you now through humble means. He comes through His Word, spoken and preached. He comes through bread and wine, giving you His true body and blood.
Soon, we will sing the Sanctus right before the Lord’s Prayer. We will sing,
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
The Palm Sunday crowd welcomed Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem singing “Hosanna” and we will welcome Jesus this morning singing the same words. Jesus rode into Jerusalem in order to save his people from their sins by dying on the cross and He comes to us this morning giving us the blessings of the cross and open tomb. He comes to serve you with forgiveness, life, and salvation. We receive his gifts and we respond to him with our offering and with thanksgiving and praise.
The kings of this world rule by power, but Jesus rules by grace. The kings of this world are political whereas Jesus’ church is holy. The kings of this world seek peace among the nations, whereas we, within the church, receive eternal peace with God our Father. The kings of this world require you to serve them, but Jesus serves you with his Gospel and Sacrament. As a result, you willing serve him. The kings of this world demand payment from you, but Jesus paid your debt. The kings of this world threaten you with punishment if you disobey the law of the land, but Jesus bore your punishment on the cross. The kings of this world offer you earthly protection, but Jesus gives eternal life.
Yes, Jesus is a king, but not like the kings of this earth. He is the righteous King who comes to save.
Dearly beloved, as a baptized believer in Christ, honor your father and your mother and those in authority over you. Respect them. Speak well of them and pray for them. Do not abuse others in your various vocations, but love and serve them. Remain faithful to God and to His Word. Reflect the light of Christ in your life.
The thief on the cross said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” and Jesus said to him, “Today, you shall be with me in paradise.” This promise is also for you.
Someday, your King will bring you to Himself in heaven. There you will see Him face to face. Then you will enter fully into His heavenly kingdom—a kingdom with no sin, no suffering, no death. A kingdom of perfect peace. A kingdom that will never end.
God grant this. Amen.
