Scripture Passage
Matthew 21:1-11
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Sermon Script
Jesus walked everywhere during his life. Except one time. That was when he entered Jerusalem. He decided to ride in on a donkey.
It wasn’t a random and spontaneous decision. It was intentional. Jesus sent two of his disciples to get the donkey for him.
…saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” (Matthew 21:2, 3)
Why did he do this?
Matthew tells us in today’s passage:
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” (Matthew 21:4, 5)
Jesus did it to reveal his identity. Something which he was keen on not speaking about before.
He often told the crowds not to tell others about who he was. It wasn’t the right time.
But now, the time had come. He came to reveal himself as the king. The king of God’s people. The same king that Zechariah had prophesied about long ago.
Yes – that is who Jesus is. He is our King.
We sang about it during worship today. How often did the word ‘king’ appear in the songs? That is what we believe (and proclaim) about Jesus.
But, what is odd about the picture we see today? Do you see anything strange? A little comical, even?
Jesus, who was a ‘king’, sat on a donkey. Is that what you picture when you think of a king?
We think of king as a powerful and authoritative figure. More like this. It is King Henry VIII. Someone who would ride in on a horse – not a donkey!
What Jesus showed was the opposite of what people expected. In fact, it created a commotion in Jerusalem:
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” (Matthew 21:10)
The people were shaken up. As if they experienced an earthquake. That is the intended meaning of ‘stirred’ in this verse.
To them, Jesus was an unexpected king. He challenged their idea of king in every way.
This angered the religious leaders. As for the Roman soldiers, it kept them on guard.
Jesus came in on a donkey to convey a particular message. There is the fulfillment of Zechariah’s words. Also related to that, he did it to show that he came to bring peace through gentleness and humility, not by brute strength.
There is nothing dominating or forceful about a donkey. It is a small, humble animal. Kind of cute too. It is gentle and meek.
Horse, on the other hand, is different. It is larger, faster, and more muscular. It can be imposing. It is often associated with military power and elite strength.
King on a horse – that was what the people in Jerusalem expected. Like David, a brilliant military commander. They expected a person like that to be their Messiah and King.
Yet, what they saw was someone who looked ordinary and unassuming. Nothing like David. And they despised it.
We still see that in our world today. People flock to those who appear strong and powerful.
What is the dominant message floating around us these days? PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.
Dominate, win, and be the strongest person in the room. Let everyone fear you. Then you will have peace in the world. Even Machiavelli said it is better to be feared than loved.
It’s not too different from Jesus’ time. Back then, they called it ‘Pax Romana’ (Roman peace).
Don’t be mistaken though. Jesus had the power to do anything he wanted. He was the Son of God. He could have brought peace through strength. Like any other king.
But he didn’t. Not because he couldn’t. But because he chose not to.
Peace that is achieved through violent force is not peace. That kind of peace is an illusion. It is fear and control in disguise.
True peace can only be achieved through love. Love doesn’t ‘achieve’ peace. Where love is, there is peace.
Rather than demanding others to submit under his power, Jesus gave himself for the sake of his people.
Rather than expecting to be served, he served them instead.
St. Paul described what Jesus did in this way:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)
In that sense, Jesus did what no king would ever do. He died for his people.
What kind of king does that? He is usually busy trying to save his own life!
Yet in doing so, Jesus showed what a true king is like. A king who does not try to prove his authority by wielding his power. A king whose authority comes from his love for the people.
The crowds that followed Jesus gave him a triumphant entry. Unlike the people in Jerusalem, they knew who Jesus was. They prepared the way for him. They showered him with their praise.
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9)
But Jesus did not seek to remain there. Right after this celebration, he steps off the donkey. He resumes walking. He walks silently to the cross.
Jerusalem was not only the place of his triumphant entry. It was also the place where he would eventually die.
That is why Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week, which culminates with Good Friday. As the king of God’s people, Jesus willingly took the difficult path of sacrifice and suffering.
That is why Jesus is the King of kings. There is no one like him. He is the unexpected king that the world needed.
Because of him, we are saved. That is what ‘hosanna’ means.
During this week, I encourage you to meditate on Jesus’ humility. Seek to be gentle in your ways as he was.
Don’t focus so much on putting yourself above others. Don’t try so hard to be admired and liked by those around you. Don’t try to hide behind the roles or your achievements.
The more you try to lift yourself up, the more you will put others down. Focus on lifting others up instead. Encourage and empower those who need it.
That is the mark of spiritual leadership. Spiritual people have genuine authority.
Don’t worry about yourself. Jesus said, “The last will be first, and the first will be last.” God will lift you up in due time.
That was what happened to Jesus.
Therefore God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
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