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Christ the King

July 17, 2022 Mark Massaro Christ, Jerusalem, Jesus, King, Kingdom of God, Messiah, Mission, Palm Sunday, Peace, Purpose, servant, Triumph, Worship Mark The Crown & The Cross: Gospel of Mark

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Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Intro

In today’s message from Mark 11 Jesus will enter Jerusalem, the capitol of Israel and the center of worship, for the first time. And he also, doesn’t simply show up. There are preparation and pageantry befitting a king.

Series

As we continue our series: The Crown & The Cross sermon, Mark’s Gospel shows Jesus as a man with a clear message and mission, and the reader is called to actively response to the message. Jesus’ responses always helped his listeners better understand God’s heart and his statements are typically clear commands for us to follow.

In the first half of Mark the emphasis was on seeing Jesus revealed as Messiah – the King who deserved the crown. Now in the second half the focus is on Jesus going to Jerusalem to fulfill His life’s mission to suffer and die on the cross – and to rise from the dead.

Last week Jesus told his disciples he came to serve not to be served and a blind beggar proclaimed Jesus Son of David – a name for the Messiah.

Today, Jesus is publicly recognized as Messiah as he rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.

Deliberate Preparation (vv. 1-6)Jesus very deliberately prepared for his entry into Jerusalem, because this was right time in his ministry. Not like earlier when the crowds were ready to crown him king. This was the beginning of the end – the place where he would complete his mission to become the sacrificial lamb and Savior of the world.
Triumphal Entry (vv. 7-8)In following these OT examples of kings and fulfilling the Zechariah prophecy, Jesus accomplished two purposes: (1) He declared Himself to be Israel’s King and Messiah; and (2) He deliberately challenged the religious leaders. We will see that challenge as he enters the temple and in Luke 19 where the Pharisees say to Jesus “Tell your followers to be silent.” And in John 12 they said, Look, the world has gone after him.
Messianic Proclamation (vv. 9-11)Mark’s gospel account of the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem is understated and helps us see that Jesus was more concerned with the Temple and how the religious leaders were treating it. We will see that in the upcoming weeks.

Take Aways
As he rode into Jerusalem on the day we celebrate as Palm Sunday, Jesus was clearly revealed as Messiah and King, but he came as a peaceful servant, not a powerful conqueror.
The Jews were looking for a King to save them now from Rome and provide temporary peace, but Jesus came to save us from sin and offer everlasting peace with God.
Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Have you repented of your sin and chosen him as king of your life?
My personal Bible reading and devotions this week were in 1 Corinthians chapter 4 where Paul said “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” A steward is one who manages and uses an owners property and possessions in their absence. Like the steward of Gondor in Lord of the Rings. 
James 1:17  says every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father. When we recognize that all we have is from God, we see ourselves as stewards who want to use these assets for his good and his glory.
When God asks you to give Him something, do you say yes? Are you regularly giving back to him through your time, talents, spiritual gifts, and financial gifts?
Soli Deo gloria Latin for Glory to God alone.
In Luke 19 40 when the Pharisees told Jesus to silence his followers as they shouted praise to Jesus and Glory to God, Jesus said, if they were silent the very stones would cry out!

To reflect more on your place in bringing glory to God, you can explore verses like 
Psalm 86:9
1 Corinthians 10:3
1 Corinthians 6:19-2
Romans 11:33-3
Romans 14:
Galatians 5:2
1 Peter 1:8

Soli Deo gloria!

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