Jesus, the King Unlike Any Other King

Luke places Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem at Passover, when the city was bursting at the seams with pilgrims who had come to remember God’s rescue from Egypt. The Passover itself pointed forward to something greater: the Lamb of God was entering the city where He would bring about a greater exodus and a greater salvation. Luke has already shown that Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, and now the final week of His earthly ministry begins. The King enters the city where He will suffer, die, and rise again.

Jesus reveals Himself as the divine King in the way He sends for the colt. His foreknowledge is clear: the disciples find everything exactly as He said. His title is also clear: “The Lord has need of it.” The colt had never been ridden, yet it remains calm beneath Jesus in the middle of a loud, pressing, excited crowd. The One who calmed the sea rides an unbroken animal down the Mount of Olives because He is not merely a man. He is God in the flesh, the King who can fully save.

Zechariah’s prophecy reveals Jesus as the humble King. He does not come riding a warhorse, surrounded by riches, soldiers, and earthly power. He comes on a donkey, surrounded by Galilean fishermen, entering Jerusalem in humility. The gospel humbles sinners because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, and none can save themselves or boast before God. Yet the same gospel builds sinners up in Christ, because the humble King laid down His life to bring them into right relationship with God. Humble service, forgiveness, and faithfulness flow not from trying to earn favor, but from delight in what Christ has done.

Psalm 118 reveals Jesus as the blessed King who comes in the name of the Lord. The crowd rightly cries out blessing and praise, though many likely expect political deliverance from Rome. Jesus comes to bring something far greater than temporary relief from an oppressive government. He comes to bring peace with God. Sin does not leave humanity neutral before God, but condemned and under His righteous wrath. Through faith in Christ, sinners are justified and receive true and eternal peace with God.

Luke also shows the dividing line between true followers, false followers, and those who reject the King. The Pharisees want the praise silenced because they want a king, but not this King. Jesus cannot be reshaped into a political symbol, a mere moral teacher, or a friend who never confronts sin. Revelation 19 shows that the humble King will return on a white horse as King of kings and Lord of lords. The question remains: will He be met in peace or as an enemy?

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus is the divine King Jesus’ foreknowledge and authority over the unbroken colt reveal more than a remarkable human teacher. The Lord who knows what awaits His disciples and calms what no ordinary person could control is God in the flesh. His divinity means that His salvation is not partial, uncertain, or weak. [46:00]
• 2. The humble King humbles His servants Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey because His kingdom is not built on worldly display, pride, or applause. The gospel strips away every reason for sinners to think themselves better than others, since all have fallen short of God’s standard. Christ’s humble love gives believers both the reason and freedom to serve others without needing recognition. [52:35]
• 3. Christ brings peace with God Jesus did not come simply to overthrow Rome or fix temporary earthly problems. Sin had made humanity enemies of God, condemned apart from Christ and unable to make peace by personal effort. His death and resurrection bring the peace that lasts because they reconcile sinners to God Himself. [1:00:50]
• 4. Jesus cannot be remade in human image The Pharisees wanted praise restrained because they rejected the King standing before them. Many still prefer a Jesus who is politically useful, morally inspiring, or personally affirming, but never sovereign over sin. Scripture presents Jesus as He truly is: King of kings, Savior of sinners, and coming Judge. [1:07:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [25:01] - Introduction and Luke 19
• [28:10] - Missions Update from Sanger
• [30:51] - Reading Luke 19:28-40
• [33:17] - Passover and Jerusalem’s Crowds
• [35:16] - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem
• [37:30] - The King Unlike Any Other
• [38:53] - Jesus the Divine King
• [46:33] - Jesus the Humble King
• [54:12] - Jesus the Blessed King
• [57:29] - Jesus the Peaceful King
• [1:04:25] - The King Returns in Judgment
• [1:06:34] - Rejecting or Knowing the True King
• [1:08:40] - Living for King Jesus

Bible Reading

Luke 19:28-40
“And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” [30:51]

Zechariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” [48:39]

Psalm 118:26
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.” [54:32]

Observation questions

1. What details does Luke include about the colt, the disciples’ instructions, and what happened when they carried them out?
2. What actions and words show how the disciples and crowd responded as Jesus came down the Mount of Olives?
3. What title does the crowd give Jesus in Luke 19:38, and what two themes are included in their praise? [54:21]
4. How do the Pharisees respond to the crowd’s praise, and how does Jesus answer them?

Interpretation questions

1. Why does Luke emphasize that the disciples found the colt exactly as Jesus had said, and that they were to say, “The Lord has need of it”? What does this reveal about Jesus’ identity? [40:46]
2. Zechariah describes the coming King as humble and riding on a donkey. How does Jesus’ entrance challenge common expectations of what a powerful king looks like? [48:24]
3. The crowd celebrates Jesus as King and speaks of peace, yet many likely hoped for freedom from Rome. Why is peace with God a greater need than political or temporary peace? [01:00:50]
4. Why is it important that Jesus be received as He is revealed in Scripture rather than reshaped into a political symbol, a moral example, or a non-confronting friend? [01:07:16]

Application questions

1. Jesus is the divine King who fully saves, not merely a helpful teacher or example. Where are you most tempted to rely on your own strength, wisdom, or goodness instead of trusting Christ to save and lead you? [46:17]
2. The humble King served rather than seeking applause. In what relationship or responsibility are you tempted to seek recognition? What could humble, unseen service look like there this week? [51:19]
3. The gospel humbles us because none of us can earn God’s favor, yet it also gives believers a secure identity in Christ. How can remembering both truths help you respond differently when you are criticized, overlooked, or wronged? [52:35]
4. Jesus came to bring peace with God through His death and resurrection. How does having peace with God change the way you face anxiety, conflict, suffering, or uncertainty in everyday life? [01:00:32]
5. The crowd praised Jesus openly. What are practical ways you can praise and honor Christ in your home, work, school, or neighborhood this week? [57:00]
6. It is possible to want a Jesus who supports personal goals but does not confront sin or rule as King. What parts of Jesus’ authority are hardest for you to welcome, and what would it look like to submit those areas to Him? [01:07:31]
7. Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords. How does His promised return encourage faithful obedience now, especially when following Him is costly or unnoticed? [01:06:02]