Matthew 21:1-11.            Tell the world her King has come                               09/4/17

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

⁴ This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:

⁵ “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Tell the world her King has come. The King has come to save his people. And 2000 years ago the world rushes to and fro in an attempt to jump on the band wagon. Back then, they were desperately looking for a way out of the mess they were in. They knew that things were not the way that they should be – the way they were meant to be. So they were looking for a leader who would get them out of trouble – who would drive out the Romans and set up their own nation once again.

So at the first cry that a saviour has come, and many miracles are done by him, they rush out to shout their accolades to the one they think might be able to help them. Here hopefully is a glimmer of hope; thinking of course primarily in the short term of personal gain and a reduction of hardship and pain. Hoping for a better and easier future ahead. Looking for powerful leadership, without too much commitment, difficulty and service on their part.

Today are things any different? People are still looking for the easy way through life and the quick-fixes; for any sort of saviour that might get them out of the mess of life that they have made for themselves. Our saviours that are heralded in recent times are technology, environmentalists, and the economists. They are looking for politicians to give them what they want, irrespective of the cost.

Sadly, too often the same thing has happened in Christian circles. People have given up on the churches – because they have failed to deliver. But here it is not God and the Gospel who have failed. Often it is either that the truths of Scriptures have not been presented correctly. Or people have chosen not to believe that Good News. These people have or are given the wrong idea as to what the world and the church needs.

In the church today it is the liberal theologian who can twist and change scripture to enable us to do what we want, irrespective of what God says in his Word. These are the ones that are looked to as our hope for the future. Here again it is the one who can tell our itching ears what they want to hear. Again no matter what the cost. It is the one who can tell us that God loves us, and so we can do as we please, that are looked for.

Here also people are jumping on the bandwagon, shouting the importance of this new thinking; desperately hoping that this will now ensure us a long, happy and easy life, and maybe a better future ahead. If we give our young people what they want maybe our church will grow once more.

So throughout the years, mankind has constantly looked for its heralded saviours. All too often they have only been disappointed when that one they looked to fails to produce the desired hopes and results. When they don’t get what they think they need, they soon lose interest and start looking for another way out; another king.

Therefore it would seem that very little has changed over the years. In our reading here when we look to the one who was and is the true Saviour of mankind - to the one who truly had the power to bring about a new and better world – and we see people’s attitude are little different. People heard and saw how Jesus healed the sick, gave food to thousands by a miracle, and even raised Lazarus from the dead. As a result, suddenly there is rising surge of feelings.

Here we have one who would be really good to have as our king. He could take care of all our earthly problems - giving us food without us lifting a finger; taking care of all of our physical ailments; and surely he could even drive out the hated Romans. Then there would be no more hassles of having work hard for living; no more fear and worry of sickness and death; hopefully just lot of pleasure, leisure and an easy way through life.

So when they hear that this Jesus is coming to town the multitudes rush out with great expectations. There is a growing swell that start to sing their praises of this one they would like to make as their king. The chant is taken up long before they catch a glimpse of their great hope. A huge fanfare arises to greet him.

Then their king comes riding in - humble – gentle and riding on a donkey. No grand heroic figure – no mighty conqueror mounted on his fiery steed - no strong, imposing and charismatic figure. Humble and riding on a donkey.

Here was a man not full of his own self-importance, but knowing very well what he was on about. A gentle man, not wanting to hurt anyone, even when the crowds turn against him; and when he is confronted by the Roman governor, he didn’t defend himself. Instead he is single minded in his priority of make things right with God for us. He is even prepared to give his life to achieve what he knows is absolutely necessary.

So here was a man who is not interested in himself and his own welfare. You see, his kingdom is not of this world. He had far more important things on his mind than food for the stomach and a free Israel. He wanted to give life to all people beyond the three score and ten years or so, here on earth. He wanted us to be a part of God’s family once again and for all time. And he knew that the only way he could help us in this regard, was to give his life, so that we can have life.

But of course this not what the people wanted. It may have been what they needed, but it not what wanted. So the praises of Palm Sunday soon turn to, ‘crucify him, crucify him,’ when he doesn’t produce what they had in mind. So very soon they rejected him, and went looking elsewhere to find that which would make them feel good.

But even here Jesus continues on, for he knows that this not only leads to his suffering and death: But here now he comes to do what needs to be done so that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation can be extended to all people. Here now in the coming week God will be doing what needs to be done so that salvation can be extended to all. So that we all can have a sure hope for the future that will lift our ‘noses out of the gutter’.

Now everything is about to happens so that God’s plan may be brought to fruition. The King is coming to town to take up his throne as King of kings and Lord of lords; even though most might not acknowledge him as such. He is still God’s only Son, come to us to give us what we need. He is still the only real Saviour who can help us out in the important areas of life. There is now a sure way out of the mess that we have of life in this world.

All who believe in him as King, as the Son of God, and Saviour are assured that he does give them what is essential for us, both for this life and the next. He has and does make a difference to the lives of people who look to him in faith and accept his ways and Words as the truth. Now we not only have hope, but also a better way to live and act. Now we know that in connection with Jesus Christ things will work out for good.

So let us first and foremost, continue to acknowledge Jesus as the only true King and Lord. Let us not impose our desires and wants onto our Saviour and King; but humbly accept who he is and what he has to give and say to us: about himself and his kingdom. Let us also encourage others to see Jesus as the only true Saviour: the only one who can really help them in the important areas of life. Even if it may not look that way on the surface.

His death on the cross is crucial for us all. His offering of forgiveness of sins is real power for life. His Word and Sacraments, though seemingly ordinary things of life, they do offer forgiveness, reassurance, strength, life and hope. There in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection we have real important things for our life and our future.

That being the case, let us focus on him and these wonderful gifts he has come to offers to us and make possible for us. Let us continue to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and King. Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest.

To him be all glory and honour, now and always.  AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish