St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church – Watertown, WI
Pastor Mark Gartner
Sermon for Palm Sunday – April 9^th, 2006

Dear People of God,

Every spring, hundreds of Hollywood "stars" gather for the Academy Awards. Very few of those stars just "slip in the back door." No, instead they make an entrance to be seen by as many people as possible. They walk slowly down the long red carpet, smiling at the cameras and waving to the people

in the stands (who, by the way, all had to apply and go through extensive background checks), showing off their clothing (and at times their lack of clothing), chatting with the reporters. Some of those actors and actresses will go to great, great lengths just to be noticed.

Contrast that with Jesus. To the man healed of leprosy in Matthew 8, He said, "See that you don’t tell anyone." In the case of the two blind men that he healed in Matthew 9 we are told he, "warned them sternly, ‘See that no one knows about this.’" Even after Peter made that beautiful confession about Jesus being the Christ, the Son of the living God we are told, "Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone." (Luke 9:21) Jesus often chose not to be in the limelight. In fact, most of Jesus’ ministry happened outside of the capital city of Jerusalem, away from the big pomp and ceremony of the Temple, in small towns and villages along the way.

That is until one Sunday. Until the event we know as "The Triumphal Entry," on the day we remember each year as "Palm" Sunday. This day all of what we know and expect from Jesus changes. Now, we see Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem being proclaimed as the Messiah and a King. He allows

the great crowds of people to give him a parade fit for a king. He doesn’t tell them to be quiet. In fact when the Pharisees criticized Jesus for all the shouting along the parade route he boldly said, "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." But in spite of the glory, and honor, and majesty that rightfully belong to Jesus as the King of all, this parade into Jerusalem reveals some unique qualities of Jesus as a King. They are more in keeping with the Jesus we have come to know who wanted no special attention. As we consider the shadow of the Savior found in our Old Testament lesson for this Sunday we will be led to

The words of our text take place a little over 500 years before Palm Sunday. The remnant of God’s people had returned from captivity in Babylon to the Promised Land. They had high hopes to restore their nation to its former glory. But their efforts to rebuild the Temple had been at a standstill for over fourteen years. This was due to the opposition of their enemies and the growing indifference of the people themselves. Things seemed hopeless and they felt helpless. But through Zechariah the LORD offered hope to his people. He had not forgotten them. His promise to send a Savior was going to be kept. They could count on that! In this last section of his prophecy Zechariah told the people that the Messiah would establish an eternal kingdom. But it would be a unique kingdom just as the Messiah would be a unique King.

This shadow of the Savior from Zechariah starts with a description of Jesus’ unique character as a King. "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." What a scene Zechariah paints for us. This isn’t what we would expect when a king enters a capital city. Where is the white stallion, or the war chariot, or the black limousine? Where are the soldiers or the secret service men? By the world’s standards Jesus can’t be much of a king, can he?

But let’s not jump to conclusions to quickly. It is Jesus’ unique character that makes him the greatest king of all time. King Jesus is righteous. I know that doesn’t get you very far in politics these days. But this king has not cheated or lied to get his power. He is not corrupt. The king who comes to Jerusalem has not had a sinful relationship with a member of his staff, or embezzled money, or betrayed the trust of his people. No, this King is righteous. He is more than that. He is sinless in all he thinks, says, and does. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was "tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin." Are you looking for a leader you can trust and follow without fear? Find him riding on a donkey into Jerusalem. He is Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews. He is your King and mine righteous in all he says and does. That characteristic, which is unique to Jesus, makes Him a different kind of King.

In addition to being righteous King Jesus doesn’t come to strike terror into the hearts of his people so that they will obey him. He doesn’t threaten or rant and rave. He comes as one who is gentle and humble. The Hebrew word that Zechariah used which is translated "gentle" or sometimes "humble"

often refers to someone who is poor and has no land to call his own. That certainly applies to King Jesus. He said in Matthew 8:20, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Jesus came and fulfilled this prophecy from Zechariah as a King of humble

means and of humble heart. Even the donkey he used on Palm Sunday was borrowed.

We could contrast that with what we have heard about Saddam Hussein’s way of ruling. He showed no gentleness or humility as he ruled of the Iraqis. He built extravagant palaces for himself. He brutally abused his power. Jesus chose not to claim what was rightfully his to help us focus on what is truly unique about him. He says to you and me, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29) Humility normally does lead to greatness. But it is what makes Jesus great. It is his selfless love that makes us love him as our King.

Zechariah tells us that Jesus is a king that comes to his people "having salvation." He not only has salvation -- he himself is salvation. The whole reason he is entering the capital city of Jerusalem is to bring salvation to the Jews and all people. The writer to the Hebrews says that Jesus is "able to save completely those who come to God through him." (Hebrews 7:25) That alone makes him a different kind of King.

May this shadow from Zechariah help us to see Jesus as a different kind of king. He comes into Jerusalem on a donkey, and not even a full-grown donkey at that. His earthly wealth can be measured by the clothes on his back. He doesn’t come with the pomp and pride normally connected to a king. But he is righteous in all that he says and does. He is gentle and humble. He brings salvation. No King has ever had or ever will have that kind of unique character for ruling.

A king who is gentle and humble in heart shouldn’t expect to hold on to his power very long. Other kings will quickly see his weakness and exploit it. But Zechariah tells us not to be misled. After seeing his unique character for ruling we see his unique way of conquering. "See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses 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." The shadow that Zechariah painted of Jesus conquering like a King is unique. He wouldn’t use military weapons to conquer people. He would instead proclaim peace to the nations. And in spite of his not using conventional weapons his rule would extend to the ends of the earth. With spiritual weapons Jesus shows his mastery over all wh! o oppose him.

Obviously our King’s Kingdom is unlike any other. Instead of enslaving people he would set them free. Instead of making war to bring peace he would bring peace that would cause a spiritual war. Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you."(Luke 17:20-21)

Another Zechariah, not the prophet who gave us this shadow of the Savior, but the father of John the Baptist correctly identified Jesus’ unique way of conquering people. He said that through Jesus God would, "shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path

of peace." (Luke 1:79) Do you see Jesus as your king? I pray that you do!

There were probably some in the crowds on that first Palm Sunday who saw the truth about Jesus. For others it may have been enthusiasm surrounding the Passover. Perhaps the people were so eager for Jesus to be a political leader that they tried to force him to be their king as they had done before. But they didn’t see Jesus as the King he is. Jesus said on that day of the crowds, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace -- but now it is hidden from your eyes." (Luke 19:42) Jesus came to them in majesty and mastery to bring them peace with God. He wanted to rule in their hearts and lives. Let’s not miss the King that they did. See Jesus as your King.

Although kings are suppose to act in the best interest of their people history has shown us that kings frequently do what they do to satisfy their own egos. As we might expect our king is very different in this area of ruling as well. Jesus said of himself, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) Our King came to conquer people by serving them in love.

Today may we not only see Jesus as a different kind of king may we claim him as our king. He is a King with unique character for ruling. He is righteous, gentle, and has salvation. And our King has a unique way of conquering. He doesn’t use the weapons of war but the power of his love. Amen.