The King is Coming

Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV)

1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying 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. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

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

5“Say to the Daughter of Zion,

‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The 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!”

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

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

I. Introduction: A Missing King – England’s King Arthur, King Richard in the crusades, when dark men began to rule, the people waited for the return of their king.

II. The King Is Prophesied– A Hopeful Expectation

a. The Messiah Foretold

b. The Message Fulfilled

III. The King Is Paraded – A Royal Exhibition

a. A Procession Of Royalty

b. A Proclamation Of Victory

IV. The King is Praised – A Joyful Exaltation

a. Hailed As A Noble King

b. Vested With Divine Authority

c. Ascribed The Highest Glory

V. The King is Pondered – A Crucial Examination

a. A Question of Identity

b. A Question of Credentials

VI. Conclusion: The Return of the King - Tolkein’s trilogy surrounding the shire, and C.S. Lewis’ stories of Narnia.