What Kind of King?

When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat.  Untie it and bring it here.”  …And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.  And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.  As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.”  (Luke 19:29-38)

On the day we call Palm Sunday, Jesus revealed who he is by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.  Today, donkeys don’t get much respect.  But in Jesus’ day donkeys were the ride of kings.  By mounting that colt and embracing the praise of his people, Jesus declared himself to be Israel’s long-awaited king.    

 But what kind of king did Jesus declare himself to be?  To answer, we must remember that kings didn’t always ride donkeys. When kings came to conquer and to crush rebellion they rode war horses.  They rode big white steeds.  Here, then, is our hope.  Because Jesus came riding on a donkey rather than a steed, we know he didn’t come to crush and condemn us.  King Jesus came offering us terms of peace.  More astonishing, he came to save us from our sin at infinite cost to himself.      

Consider the events of the days that followed.  A few days after riding into town, the same crowd who had shouted praises for the king now demanded death to the king.  On the day we call Good Friday, the King of Peace was mocked, stripped, tortured, and crucified on a cross.  This was no accident of history.  Acts 2:23 tells us the crucifixion of King Jesus was “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.”  On the cross, Jesus who had no sin became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Rather than crush us, the King of Peace chose to be crushed in our place.  He willingly absorbed the righteous wrath we are due.  Jesus paid our sin penalty and died our death so we can be forgiven.  Then, on the third day, Jesus conquered death.  He rose from the grave so he can share his life with us.  What then are the King’s terms for peace?  How do we embrace the peace and life he offers us? 

First, we must acknowledge and confess that, left to ourselves, we are hopeless sinners—guilty and unable to save ourselves from the condemnation we deserve.  Second, we must know that Jesus is God’s only provision for the forgiveness of our sin (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).  Salvation is found in no one else.  Finally, we must repent of our sin by entrusting ourselves to Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Accept these gracious terms and God will not only forgive you.  He will give you the gift of his Holy Spirit who will indwell you and transform you from the inside out. 

And if you refuse the King’s gracious terms for peace?  Know that a day of reckoning draws near.  King Jesus will come again.  Only this time he won’t be riding on a donkey offering terms for peace.  Revelation 19:11-16 is clear.  When Jesus comes again, he’ll be riding a big white steed executing just wrath against all unredeemed sin and unrepentant sinners.   

So what kind of king is Jesus?  Today, he is the King of Kings riding on a donkey offering terms for peace.  But only for a time.  Know that if you will not trust Jesus as your Savior, you will soon face him as your Judge.   

One King.  Two comings.  Your choice.