If Jesus is King, Then What?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Holy Week Overview
Palm Sunday: After walking 20 miles uphill from Jericho, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a young donkey to a massive crowd shouting “Hosanna” and waving palm branches. Then He goes to the temple, looks around, leaves the city, and goes back to Bethany for the night.
Holy Monday: Jesus curses the fig tree and cleanses the temple.
Holy Tuesday: The fig tree is withered, Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple and teaches on the end times, Judas strikes a deal with the religious leaders to betray Jesus.
Silent Wednesday
Maundy Thursday: Jesus has the last supper with His disciples, prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, Jesus is arrested.
Good Friday: Jesus is crucified, dies around 3pm, is buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb.
Holy Saturday: Jesus is dead.
Easter Sunday: Jesus is resurrected!
Subject: If Jesus is king, then what? // What kind of king is Jesus? And what does that mean for us?
Read John 12:12-19 (NIV).
Body
Body
Jesus is a prophetic King, forging peace through sacrifice. Jesus is the promised Messiah, bringing reconciliation through self-giving love.
Exposition: Two messianic prophecies are quoted here with radically different ideas in view.
John 12:13… The crowds quote from Psalm 118:25–26… but they add their own twist: “Blessed is the King of Israel.”
Psalm 118:25–26 “25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.”
But Jesus finds a young donkey to ride (John 12:14). This is also a fulfillment of prophecy (John 12:15).
Zechariah 9:9 “9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Zechariah 9:10 “10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus fulfills both prophecies, but not in the way the Jews expected. “He will proclaim peace [not just to Israel but] to the nations.”
He establishes this peace through sacrifice.
Zechariah 9:11 “11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.”
Application: The way of the King is the way of humility, sharing in the suffering of others, and giving yourself for their sake. It’s the way of love.
Illustration: Father Damien of Molokai (1840-1889), served a leper colony in Hawaii, after 11 years contracted leprosy, eventually it killed him.
Jesus is a powerful King, commanding divine might. Jesus is the supreme Lord of all, exercising heavenly authority.
Exposition: John 12:17-18…
The story of Lazarus is in John 11… Read John 11:38-44… All Jesus had to do was speak, and a dead man came back to life.
Jesus isn’t just the King of Israel or of all the nations but He is the King of life and death.
Illustration: Gandalf quote: “Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment.”
Application: Any king can sentence someone to death. Only Jesus has the power to give life. Jesus uses His divine power for the good of those who have received Him as their King.
Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Genesis 50:20 “20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Jeremiah 29:11 “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Proverbs 3:5–6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Philippians 1:6 “6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Jesus is a polarizing King, provoking a choice. Jesus is the only Savior, demanding a response from all.
Exposition
The crowds loved Jesus (John 12:13) but the Pharisees hated Him (John 12:19; see also John 11:53).
There’s no middle ground with Jesus… love Him / hate Him… serve Him / resist Him… worship Him / despise Him… But you must make a choice about Jesus. And if you choose to follow Jesus, you’ll have to choose to leave some things and some people behind.
Illustration: Age 19 in my dorm room, I owned my faith…
Application: I’m not a fan of Jesus. The crowd was full of fans…
Conclusion: If Jesus is King, Then What?
Conclusion: If Jesus is King, Then What?
God’s Will for My Life // My Life for God’s Will
