The Coming of the King: Matt. 21:1-11

Matt. 21:1-11

My favorite movie scene comes from the old "Robin Hood" movie with Errol Flynn. Robin Hood and his merry men come upon some hooded travelers. After a little banter in an attempt to "take from the rich and give to the poor," one of the travelers dismounts and removes his cloak. The true King of England reveals himself and Robin Hood immediately falls to his knees in honor of the one he has faithfully tried to serve.

I love this scene because it reminds me of the day when my King will return. He won't be cloaked in a hood. Matt. 21:1-11 tells of a time when the King came under cover of human flesh. He had his "merry men" around him. In recalling this scene, John Piper says in a 1982 sermon, "There's no doubt what those disciples had in their minds what was happening at that moment because they knew their Old Testament. They knew the prophecy from Zech. 9:9-10. The Messiah has come that Palm Sunday; from here he would rule the whole world."

Piper goes on to say, "Imagine how the disciples must have felt on that first entry into Jerusalem… like soldiers ready for battle. How would he do it? Would he rush in and bring down the Roman Praetorium, or call fire down from heaven and destroy God’s enemies? What a day!"

Yes, it was a day but they were soon to find out that it wasn't the day they had in mind. Their understanding was flawed, yet it was true. This entry into Jerusalem was a foretaste of what is yet to come – more like a rehearsal. Zechariah 9 will yet be fulfilled completely. Only John notes that there were palm branches being waved and laid down as they would be for a returning triumphant warrior. Fast forward to Revelation 7:9 and again John gives us another picture, a great multitude consisting of all nations, tribes and peoples are standing before the throne and before the Lamb with palm branches in their hands.

Palm Sunday has always seemed an irony to me as doubtless many of the same crowd would shout, "Crucify him!" less than a week later. As I have contemplated this with this helpful sermon from Piper, I see it now more as the rehearsal for that day when the Coming of The King will be a final victory lap and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Until then every Sunday is a rehearsal for That Day. Dress rehearsals always supply a tremendous energy as we await the real performance. May it be so with our worship each week, because we never know whether this Sunday may be the dress rehearsal. Maranatha! Come soon Lord Jesus! The King is coming!

by Pat Bowditch