WHO IS THIS KING?

Matthew 21:8-11

Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

“Who is this?”

It is a question we all ask when we meet somebody new or when we are curious about someone we’ve never met. I remembered going to a concert one time. In the front row, a group of people were flocking around a gentleman. He neither looked like a celebrity nor a famous athlete. I found out that he was a public servant that some liked but others did not. While some wanted to take a photo with this man, others smirked and leered.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem one final time before his crucifixion, there were many who cheered but there were also others who jeered. Those who cheered cut palm branches, spread them on the road and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” which was a title given to the coming Messiah. This event is what we would now call as Palm Sunday. Those who have met Him and experienced His grace and goodness cheered. Those who disliked Him jeered. But those who did not know Him asked, “Who is this?”

Hyped up king or humble king?

Some said that maybe He’s just a hyped up king. Sure, He performed miracles. But isn’t God a God of miracles who can use anyone? We shouldn’t get too excited to the point of calling Him King.

To others, He is the humble king. He came from heaven, sent by God, to establish His kingdom on earth. This is why His first preaching was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17)

A time will come when we will all declare His kingship. Paul declared that “God has highly exalted Him an bestowed him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) One day, we will all declare Jesus is Lord. The followers of Christ will say, “Wow! Jesus is indeed Lord.” But the one who rejected Christ will say, “Oh my! Jesus is really Lord.” Similar statements but different emotions. One is of gratefulness and awe for God’s grace while the other is regret and grief of his rejection of Christ.

Is He king?

Better yet, is He King of your life?

REFLECTION

1. Is Jesus King of your life? King means sovereign, One who has full authority, and the One who has the final say.
2. Are there still areas of your life that Jesus is not King? (relationships, finances, career, business)
3. Because He is King, He is worthy of our worship. Take some time to worship Him with a song or by reading a Psalm or praying a prayer of thanksgiving.

Devotional for Holy Week

Palm Sunday

Written by: Pastor Paolo Punzalan

Victory Fort