Luke 19:38

THE COMING KING

‘Blessed he the King that cometh in the name of the Lord.’

Luke 19:38

All the city moved. As our whole nation stirred by the war, defeats or victories. Great things at stake.

I. The King coming in humility.—Are hearts stirred? What is at stake? Are we concerned in His life, work, and death?

II. How does He come?

(a) Anticipating victory. The way of the Cross necessary to the great overcoming. Victory in Christ’s time all through. ‘Joy set before Him.’

(b) Offering Himself for acceptance. Another opportunity for recognising Him.

(c) Deeply caring for men. ‘If thou hadst known.’ Tears.

III. What men thought of Him.—The multitude; passing excitement; interest of worldly gain to be got. The disciples. ‘Our King! to show His glory.’ ‘We have full confidence in Him. We know His thoughts. And how blessed His rule!’ Are these our grateful thoughts of our Saviour?

—Rev. F. S. Legg.

Illustration

‘It seems generally thought that our Lord’s principal object in thus entering Jerusalem was to manifest His kingly power and His dominion, when He thought fit to exercise it, over the wills of men. I cannot help thinking that this theory falls short of the true meaning of the event. I have a firm conviction that our Lord did what He did in anticipation of His approaching death on the Cross. Before dying for our sins He called public attention to Himself, and filled Jerusalem with the report of His arrival. The consequence was that when He was crucified a few days after, the attention of the whole multitude assembled at Jerusalem for the Passover was directed to Him. He was offered up as a sacrifice with the greatest possible publicity, and with the eyes of the whole nation upon Him. One of the greatest helps to this publicity, beyond doubt, was His remarkable entry into Jerusalem. Myriads of Jews from foreign parts came up to the holy city at the feast of the Passover. There was probably not one among them who did not hear that a wonderful Teacher had arrived, Who claimed to be the Messiah, and rode into the city in the manner predicted by Zechariah. His death on the Cross a few days after, would doubtless raise many thoughts in their minds, and in many cases would never be forgotten.’