Return of the King

Mark 11:1-11

I.  The King’s Sovereignty (vv. 1-6)

1)    Sovereign over the Timing of His Death

1. Jesus specifically chose the Passover as the time to end the ‘Messianic Secret’
2. Jesus’ death was not an accident – it was a premeditated part of God’s redemptive plan (John 10:18; Acts 4:26-28)
   1. Jesus was in control of every detail surrounding his death (cf. Acts 4:26-28)
   2. The men who wickedly plotted His murder remain fully responsible for their actions

2)    Sovereign over the Circumstances of His Death

1. Intentional fulfillment of Prophecy
   1. Jesus sends disciples to get a colt/donkey – a remarkable display of divinity!
   2. Colt must be unridden – set apart for sacred use (cf. Num 19:2; Deut 21:3)
   3. Jesus rides into Jerusalem as a King (cf. Genesis 49:11;  Zechariah 9:9)
      1. A royal animal in more ancient times that had been replaced by the horse (Judges 10:3-4; 1 Kings 1:33)
      2. A humble animal well suited for the suffering servant-King
2. Intentional provocation of the religious establishment – (cf. Luke 19:28-40)

II.  The King’s Subjects (vv. 7-10)

1)    Their Actions

1. Laying coats down on the road signified the arrival of a King  (cf. 2 Kings 9:13)
2. Waving palm branches –  re-enactment of the the military parade of Simon Maccabaeus 200 years earlier  (1 Maccabees 13:51)
   1. Simon Maccabaeus was a violent military conqueror who had successfully cleansed the Temple and liberated Jerusalem
   2. Jesus was an unarmed conqueror who is on his way to cleanse the Temple and to do battle with Satan himself

2)    Their cry:  “Hosanna in the highest”

1. Quotation from Psalm 118:25-26
   1. Originally composed by a King of Israel (David?) who had won a military victory and was on his way to the Temple
   2. Sung by Jewish Pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem – ‘Hallel’ Psalms (113-118)
2. Hosanna = ‘save us now’
   1. The people were expecting a military Saviour like Simon Maccabbeaus
   2. Jesus was the Saviour Israel needed, but not the Saviour Israel wanted – within the span of a week the crowd will turn hostile

III.  The King’s Surprise (v. 11)

1)    Jesus’ Response:  Tears!  (cf. Luke 19:41-44)

1. Jesus knew where Israel’s zeal for military liberation would eventually lead – 70 AD
2. Consequence:  spiritual blindness/ hardening of heart – Luke 19:42; Romans 11:25

2)    An anticlimactic end to a remarkable day (v. 11)

1. Where did the crowd go and why???
2. Jesus surveys the Temple and… leaves?!?

Application:

– Be humble with ‘end times’ views – the Jewish people got a few things wrong and so might we!

– What kind of King are you looking for?  What kind of salvation are you hoping for??

– The story’s not over yet –  Our King is coming back one more time – Revelation 19