Behold Thy King

We offer Jesus pitifully little, yet who and what we are because of who he is and what he did.

Matthew 21:4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

John 19:14 And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

Matthew wrote about what happened on Palm Sunday; John’s writing took place the following Friday. The prophet Zachariah wrote “behold thy king” some 500 years before the birth of Jesus.  His excitement was as great as the excitement of Palm Sunday. The other was influenced by the enemies of Jesus. Under the influence of the devil, in downright ridicule Pilate said “Behold your king.” They are opposite extremes but both statements are a central moment in history. We are called upon today to “behold our king.” We, like they, should stop and take notice of Jesus. Be careful of how you see him and what you do with him.

BEHOLD THY KING.

Same words; spoken about the same person; they were from different perspectives.  Jesus did not ask to be looked at in this way. Most of his life was in obscurity. All he wanted was to be the Savior. His birth was known by wise men and shepherds and the ones they told. After that his birth died down. The whole event was blanketed out by Herod when he had the male children killed. No one knew why; they looked at it as the great massacre.

Jesus grew up in Nazareth just like anyone else. When it was time, he walked down to the river for John to baptize him. He made of public proclamation, but John recognized him and cried “behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” People were drawn to him.  He spoke only of the truth, and spoke it with authority and not as the Pharisees taught it. He answered their questions with the truth. It made them angry, but they could find no real fault in him.

Palm Sunday came and Jesus approached Jerusalem just as prophesied 500 years before. Israel should have known him. God had sent their Messiah. They were plainly told how it would happen. Many held to their own opinions and turned it around.

It was Palm Sunday, the first day of the week, and the lambs were being chosen for the sacrifices. Many traveled to Jerusalem. Those who didn’t bring their lamb with them purchased one there.  This was about celebrating the end of their bondage in Egypt. Crowds were coming through all 12 gates of Jerusalem. There would have been many donkeys, but one stood out. As Jesus topped the Mount of Olives he drew the attention of the people. There were no banners to announce him; the only sound was that of the Holy Spirit speaking to the hearts of men.  Matthew felt it when he wrote “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee.” All of a sudden people began to yell “Hosanna to the king!” They took off their outer garments and laid them down for him. Others cut palm branches. They literally made a highway for the Lord. In the hearts of the people they beheld their king. Imagine the shout of Zachariah when he wrote. He said look up. The Savior is here. Look in the right direction and behold thy king.

They saw who he was—Jesus of Nazareth. They saw what he was—their Messiah. They saw what he brought—salvation.  That was why he came. It wasn’t to set the world in order; it wasn’t for money; it wasn’t  to bring a suitcase of cures. He came over that hill bringing salvation. Our Savior; our King; take note of him. Don’t hesitate. Don’t ask why he has or has not done such and such for you. God doesn’t weave himself around our lives. Everything is for his glory. Make room for Jesus.

The shouts came, but all Jesus did was be himself. He brought all we need.    He didn’t come on a high horse but a lowly donkey. He brought salvation to our level. Behold thy king.  Do you dare? The crowd recognized him for a fleeting moment in time but quickly changed by the urging of the enemy. Have you really chosen the Lord? Have you laid aside your garments?  We need to set aside all our stuff and behold him.

It was not a coincidence that this happened on Palm Sunday.  Jesus was choosing to be the Passover Lamb for us. Behold him as your real king. Don’t be turned over by what happens tomorrow. Lay it all aside. Let him trample on it and make us his own. Jesus made a change for the whole world when he came down from the Mount of Olives. He can change us too.

Behold thy King!