THE KING IS COMING
- Pastor Henry L. Allen, Sr
- Apr 13
- 6 min read
APRIL 13, 2025
Palm Sunday
Sunday Sermon
THE KING IS COMING!
Mark 11:1 - 11
The Oscars were couple weeks back and all the stars made their grand and glorious entrances. They didn't come in old VW vans wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Instead, they came in chauffer driven limousines dressed to the nines.
Given an opportunity to make an entrance, most would choose the grandeur style over that of mediocrity or poverty. We would choose the blazing white stallion over the small grey donkey.
Some were hoping for some grand entrance on a blazing white stallion, sort of like the Lone Ranger, with a cloud of dust and hearty "Hi O Silver." They were hoping Jesus would come into Jerusalem and kick the bad guys out of town.
· A story is told of an ancient king out hunting with a group of men,
· They had wandered quite away from their base,
· And rather than go all the way back there for food,
· The king suggested they stop at the next farm and buy some eggs.
· The king was surprised and replied that “Eggs must surely be scarce in that town.”
· “No, your majesty,” replied the farmer, “but kings are.”
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, He knew that He was riding into the jaws of death. But Jesus did that out of His love for His Heavenly father, and for us. William Barclay, the Scottish Theologian, explained: Never in the world’s history has there been such display of magnificently deliberate courage as the Triumphal Entry!
If He was to enter Jerusalem at all, all caution would have demanded that He enter secretly and go into hiding. But He came in such a way as to focus every eye upon Himself. It was an act of the most superlative courage. And it was an act of the most superlative love, for it was love’s last appeal before the end.”
What does the Lord’s arrival on Palm Sunday tells us about His coming to us? THE KING IS COMING!
I. THE PERSON OF THIS KING v. 1-6
As we watch the Lord in action in these verses, we are allowed to catch a
glimpse of his glory. Imagine the setting if you will.
It is early in the morning and Jesus is making preparation to go to Jerusalem.
He is moving near the top of the mountain. He is in Bethphage, which means,
"House of Unripe Figs" and Bethany, which means, House of Dates". Jesus
had some dear friends at Bethany, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, with whom he
stayed during His last days on earth. In fact, Jesus had just performed one of
His most outstanding miracles when He raised Lazarus from the dead, John 11.
Now, Jesus stands on the top of the Mount of Olives, preparing to descend
into the city below. From the top of that mountain, which stands some 2600
feet above sea level, Jesus could see the beautiful city spread out before Him.
Jesus chose this moment to reveal Himself to the nation of Israel. He chose
this moment to let Israel know that their King had arrived. Notice how He is
revealed in these verses.
A. His Personality - Jesus sends two His disciples to a village to get a young
donkey colt. He tells them exactly where they will find it and what the
people standing around will say to them. When His men go out to
complete this assignment, they find everything is just as Jesus said it
would be.
How did Jesus know this? Some writers suggest that Jesus arranged the
events ahead of time. Well, he did set it up, but not physically. He set it
up in His sovereignty! These events remind us that Jesus is God and that
He is in control of all things! That encourages me! So, these verses prove
that Jesus is God!
B. His Power - These verses also demonstrate the power and authority of our
Lord. Notice what Jesus says in verse 3. He says, Say ye that the Lord hath
need of Him." Jesus called Himself "Lord"! That is a statement of His
authority and of His power in this situation.
I would just remind you that He is still "Lord" today. He still possesses all
authority, whether men recognize Him and bow to Him or not. There will
come a day when they will. There will come a day when you will! Why
not bow down to Jesus today! He is more than worthy to be praise.
II. THE PRESENTATION OF THIS KING v. 7-10
We are allowed to see the Person of this King in this event. We are also
allowed to see a Presentation of the King in these verses.
The disciples go and get the donkey. They return to Jesus and put their outer
garments over the beast in place of a saddle. Jesus climbs on the donkey's
back and starts down the mountain. (The fact that the animal Jesus is riding
has never been broken is a miracle in itself. Of course, Psa. 8:6-8 tells us that
He has dominion over this creation.
A. He Is the Lowly One - Jesus is fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Zech. 9:9.
Part of that prophecy says that the Messiah will be "lowly". That is what
we see here. We see a humble Man on the back of a humble beast,
making a humble declaration of His identity.
Imagine this procession, Jesus is on a donkey and He is surrounded by
a multitude of common people. The people are waving palm branches
and not swords. He is sitting on old coats and not a saddle. He is riding a
little donkey and not a mighty stallion. He is surrounded by the lower
class of the population. and not by strong soldiers. The Roman soldiers
who saw this parade must have laughed at this Man Who would be King of
the Jews. Jesus Who became poor so that we might become rich in Him.
B. He Is the Lofty One - We are told what they said in verses 9-10. The word
"Hosanna" means "save now". The people are praising the name of the
King, just as the Psalmist predicted they would in Psa. 118:25-26.
Let me just say that as long as the Lord saves sinners and leaves His saints
on this earth, there will be some who will praise Him. And, He is worthy to
receive that kind of praise. He is still the lofty One and He is still worthy to
be praise. Gospel Tabernacle has reasons to Praise Jesus, 81 years still
worshipping and serving Lord. Thank you, Jesus, for 81 years of worship at
GTBC.
III. THE PURPOSE OF THIS KING v. 11
(Jesus had a double purpose to fulfill)
A. To Examine the Town - Mark doesn't mention this, but Luke does, Luke
19:41-44. As Jesus neared the city, He saw Jerusalem. He saw their future.
* He knew that within forty years, The Romans would besiege the town.
* He knew that over 30,000 Jews would be crucified as the Legions
marched toward the city.
* Jesus knew that the Romans would conquer the city and that the
Temple and the city would be utterly demolished.
* He knew also the people would be scattered to the four winds of the
earth.
* He knew all these things and more and Jesus wept over the town.
Get the image in your mind! The people are shouting, dancing and singing.
They are praising God and the Lord Jesus. Jesus knows they will reject Him
and crucify Him. He knows they are slated for judgment and in the midst of
jubilation, Jesus weeps!
Jesus sees people who are suffering. Jesus sees people who are lost. Jesus
sees people who are going to hell. We need to have the same spirit as Jesus
When we weep as He wept, we will be more motivated to the Gospel to
lost. How do you see the people of this town?
B. To Examine the Temple - The last thing Jesus did on that day was to visit
the temple. He took time to look "at all things."
What does Jesus see when He comes to our church? He is here today!
What does he see? Does He see people who come looking for Him, or
does He see people just going through the motions? Does He see people
who are worshiping Him and praising Him, or does He see people just
caught up in the rituals?
What does Jesus see in this church today on this 81st anniversary? The
big question is, do we see Him? He is here, but is He being Worshiped? Is
the KING being acknowledged.
THE KING IS COMING!
1. The Person of This King
2. The Presentation of This King
3. The Purpose of This King
Responsive reading: Mark 11:1-11
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