2. The King Brings Salvation Zechariah 9:9-17; John 12:12-19 p. 876, 992

3. Palm Sunday  Jesus’ final arrival in Jerusalem.  Triumphal entry – a huge crowd welcomes him.  Five days later he is brutally executed.  Zechariah’s words explain Jesus arrival (9:9)  A crucial moment in a surprising story.

4. 1. The King Rides In  Understanding Jewish symbolism – a provocative action  The story of Solomon’s accession (1 Ki 1:32-35)  “They put him on the king’s mule” (v 44)  A sign of humility – the king is YHWH’s servant.  It proclaims legitimacy!

5. 2. The King Having Salvation  Judah is under the might of Rome.  Salvation meant rescue from Rome.  It meant becoming the new world power.  Freedom was at hand; punishment was over.

6. 2. The King Having Salvation...  War will be over – “peace to the nations”  He will rule to the ends of the earth.  It is what the people had been waiting for (John 12:17-18)

7. 3. The King Requires a Response  Symbolism of the donkey is clear to everyone  It is an act of Kingship.  Not everyone sees it that way (v 19)  Five days later he is dead  Not everyone acknowledged his right to rule. The Jewish leaders did not.The Jewish leaders did not. The Roman leaders did not.The Roman leaders did not.

8. 3. The King Requires a Response  They plot against him.  It was just as Jesus had repeatedly predicted  E.g. Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:33  He comes bringing salvation  He can be accepted or rejected.

9. Living It  Jesus’ absolute faithfulness to the will of God  He is the King with YHWH on his side.  But Jesus is tortured, abused and executed.  It challenges the thinking:  If God is on my side everything should go well.

10. Living It BUT...  A situation of thriving may hide much unfaithfulness  A situation of difficulty may be a direct result of humble obedience

11. Living It  The king requires a response:  Will we submit ourselves completely to the righteous king?  A choice of life or death.  There are no half measures (Matt. 7:21-23)  Will I follow him?