Recognizing Jesus: The True King We Need
Summary
In today's message, we explored the complex relationship between Jesus and the Jewish leaders of His time. Despite their deep knowledge of the Scriptures and their anticipation of the Messiah, the religious leaders failed to recognize Jesus as the King they had been waiting for. This was largely because Jesus did not fit their expectations of a powerful, earthly ruler who would liberate them from Roman oppression. Instead, Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom, a concept that was foreign and threatening to their established power and authority.
The historical context of first-century Judaism was marked by a variety of religious sects, including the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes, each with its own interpretation of the law and expectations for the Messiah. The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the law, while the Sadducees held political power and were more concerned with maintaining peace with Rome. The Essenes, on the other hand, sought a more mystical and isolated expression of faith. Despite their differences, these groups were united in their opposition to Jesus, primarily because He challenged their authority and exposed their hypocrisy.
Jesus' actions, such as riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and cleansing the temple, were bold declarations of His messianic identity. Yet, the religious leaders were more concerned with preserving their status and wealth than embracing the true King. They were blinded by their own desires and fears, unable to see that Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promises.
This narrative challenges us to examine our own lives and the "kings" we serve. We often resist the authority of Jesus because we want to be the rulers of our own lives. However, true freedom and fulfillment come only when we submit to Jesus as our King. He is the King who loves us, died for us, and rose again to offer us eternal life. We are called to believe in Him, obey Him, and expect great things from Him, for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Key Takeaways:
- The True King: We all have an innate longing for a true King, a longing that is echoed in stories and myths throughout history. This longing is fulfilled in Jesus, the King of kings, who created us for Himself and desires to fill the space in our hearts that only He can satisfy. [29:22]
- Human Rebellion: Our natural inclination is to reject authority and seek to be the masters of our own destinies. This rebellion is rooted in our egocentric nature, which resists the demands of a King who requires our full devotion and obedience. [32:11]
- The Danger of Lesser Kings: When we reject Jesus as our King, we inevitably serve lesser kings—money, possessions, pleasure, or self-effort. These false kings lead to brokenness and dissatisfaction, as they cannot fulfill the deep longing within us. [32:11]
- The Need for Our True King: Only Jesus, our true King, can satisfy our deepest needs and bring us true freedom. He invites us to come to Him, promising rest and fulfillment that cannot be found elsewhere. [41:06]
- Expect Great Things from the King: We are encouraged to bring our petitions to Jesus, our King, with great expectation. He is capable of doing immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, and He desires to demonstrate His power and grace in our lives. [43:45]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:55] - Historical Context of Jesus' Time
- [08:54] - The Return from Exile and Messianic Expectations
- [12:33] - The Religious Sects: Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes
- [16:00] - Jesus' Authority and the Temple Cleansing
- [18:29] - The Leaders' Rejection of Jesus
- [22:12] - Jesus' Confrontation with the Leaders
- [26:01] - The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
- [29:22] - The True King and Our Longing
- [32:11] - Human Rebellion and Lesser Kings
- [41:06] - The Need for Our True King
- [43:45] - Expect Great Things from the King
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 11:27-33
2. Zechariah 9:9
3. Matthew 21:33-46
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Observation Questions:
1. What actions did Jesus take that led the Jewish leaders to question His authority? (Mark 11:27-33)
2. How did Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9? [16:00]
3. In the parable of the wicked tenants, who do the landowner, the tenants, and the son represent? (Matthew 21:33-46)
4. What were the different religious sects mentioned in the sermon, and how did their beliefs differ? [12:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why did the Jewish leaders fail to recognize Jesus as the Messiah despite their knowledge of the Scriptures? [18:29]
2. How does the parable of the wicked tenants illustrate the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders? (Matthew 21:33-46)
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of human rebellion against authority, particularly in relation to Jesus as King? [32:11]
4. How does the concept of "lesser kings" relate to the choices we make in our daily lives? [32:11]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the "kings" you serve in your life. Are there areas where you resist Jesus' authority because you want to be in control? [41:06]
2. How can you actively submit to Jesus as your King in a specific area of your life where you currently struggle with obedience? [43:45]
3. Identify a "lesser king" in your life, such as money or self-effort. What steps can you take this week to dethrone it and place Jesus at the center? [32:11]
4. Consider the historical context of Jesus' time. How does understanding the expectations of the Messiah then help you align your expectations of Jesus today? [08:54]
5. Jesus invites us to expect great things from Him. What is one bold prayer or request you can bring to Him this week, trusting in His power and grace? [43:45]
6. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions reflect Jesus as your true King, especially in situations where you might be tempted to compromise? [41:06]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually "in exile" or distant from God. How can you draw closer to Jesus, the true King, and find rest and fulfillment in Him? [41:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus, the Fulfillment of Our Deepest Longing
In every human heart, there is a profound longing for a true King, a longing that is echoed in stories and myths throughout history. This longing is fulfilled in Jesus, the King of kings, who created us for Himself and desires to fill the space in our hearts that only He can satisfy. Jesus' life and actions, such as riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and cleansing the temple, were bold declarations of His messianic identity. Yet, the religious leaders of His time were more concerned with preserving their status and wealth than embracing the true King. They were blinded by their own desires and fears, unable to see that Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promises. This narrative challenges us to examine our own lives and the "kings" we serve. [29:22]
Jeremiah 23:5-6 (ESV): "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’"
Reflection: What are the "kings" in your life that you have allowed to take the place of Jesus? How can you begin to dethrone them and allow Jesus to fulfill your deepest longings?
Day 2: The Rebellion of the Human Heart
Our natural inclination is to reject authority and seek to be the masters of our own destinies. This rebellion is rooted in our egocentric nature, which resists the demands of a King who requires our full devotion and obedience. The religious leaders of Jesus' time, despite their deep knowledge of the Scriptures and anticipation of the Messiah, failed to recognize Jesus as the King they had been waiting for. This was largely because Jesus did not fit their expectations of a powerful, earthly ruler who would liberate them from Roman oppression. Instead, Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom, a concept that was foreign and threatening to their established power and authority. [32:11]
Isaiah 30:1 (ESV): "Ah, stubborn children, declares the Lord, who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin."
Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself resisting Jesus' authority in your life? What steps can you take today to submit to His will and plan for you?
Day 3: The Danger of Serving Lesser Kings
When we reject Jesus as our King, we inevitably serve lesser kings—money, possessions, pleasure, or self-effort. These false kings lead to brokenness and dissatisfaction, as they cannot fulfill the deep longing within us. The religious leaders of Jesus' time were more concerned with preserving their status and wealth than embracing the true King. They were blinded by their own desires and fears, unable to see that Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promises. This narrative challenges us to examine our own lives and the "kings" we serve. [32:11]
Hosea 10:13 (ESV): "You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your warriors."
Reflection: Identify one "lesser king" in your life that you have been serving. How can you begin to shift your focus and trust back to Jesus, the true King?
Day 4: The Invitation to True Freedom
Only Jesus, our true King, can satisfy our deepest needs and bring us true freedom. He invites us to come to Him, promising rest and fulfillment that cannot be found elsewhere. Despite the religious leaders' opposition, Jesus continued to demonstrate His authority and love, offering a new way of life to those who would follow Him. This invitation is extended to us today, calling us to lay down our burdens and find rest in Him. [41:06]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying that you need to bring to Jesus today? How can you accept His invitation to find rest and freedom in Him?
Day 5: Expecting Great Things from Our King
We are encouraged to bring our petitions to Jesus, our King, with great expectation. He is capable of doing immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, and He desires to demonstrate His power and grace in our lives. The religious leaders of Jesus' time failed to see the greatness of the King before them, but we are called to approach Him with faith and anticipation, trusting in His ability to work wonders in our lives. [43:45]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need to see God's power and grace? How can you bring this need to Jesus with great expectation today?
Quotes
"Out of all the people in the world, God had chosen the nation of Israel, and he had made promises to them. And we've looked at this over the last weeks and weeks. And promises to them we call covenants. And it began with Abraham. He promised, God promised him land, seed, and blessings." [00:05:32] (19 seconds)
"And he wanted them to obey him and to shine light to others so they could see God and understand who he was. So in the way into the promised land, they were like, yes, yes, yes, we will totally do that. But of course they didn't. Once they got in there and saw some of the other things the nations were doing, they're like, hmm, I fancy that God." [00:06:58] (22 seconds)
"And just God had wanted them to be a light to other nations. They looked like just the other nations. And even to the point of wanting a king like all the other nations. So God gave them one. First of all, he gave them Saul, who was a complete disaster. And then he gave them David. David, the man after God's own heart who loved God." [00:08:03] (23 seconds)
"And the people loved him. When they saw and heard what he was doing, were receiving the feeding and the healing, they thought their Messiah, their long-awaited king had come and he was finally going to set them free from Rome. But the Jews hated him. The Jewish leaders, sorry, hated him. As I said earlier, they were united in opposition." [00:14:28] (22 seconds)
"And so we started by asking why. So let's look at that for a few minutes. Why did these leaders who knew the scriptures, they were teachers of the law, had seen his miracles, heard his teaching? Why did they not want to accept that he was the Messiah? And that short answer really is because he wasn't the Messiah they were looking for." [00:16:48] (27 seconds)
"They wanted one that was not going to question their authority or threaten their power. This is really important for us to understand. They were the powerful ones. They called the shots. People respected them. They were held in high esteem. They dictated what people had to do, and they got really rich, particularly the Sadducees, on what was going on in the temple." [00:18:14] (23 seconds)
"Jesus is saying to them, All through your history, you have been rejecting God's authority over you by rejecting the prophets God has sent to you. And now you are going to kill his son. Notice he knows they're going to kill him. And then he gives them another messianic prophecy. He basically tells them that the cornerstone is going, that he himself, the cornerstone they've rejected, is going to become a whole new kingdom." [00:26:01] (35 seconds)
"And so as Sam has been teaching us the good news of the gospel, we have a king and his name is Jesus. He has come and he is king of kings and lord of lords. So that's the first thing. We have a king. The second thing we have to really see, we want to be king. We don't want, actually, in our sinfulness, we basically don't want anyone or anything to be king over us." [00:33:01] (27 seconds)
"Because we were created for a king we will end up serving lesser kings and worshiping lesser kings if we will not serve the true king. Let me say that again because we were created for the true king when we refuse him we will end up serving lesser kings and worshiping lesser things because we need to fill that space we have to we desire it you know it don't you there's a longing inside of us a desire for it." [00:34:16] (34 seconds)
"And you know what Jesus says to each one of us? Come, come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, all of you who've been running after all kinds of other things, all kinds of other sins, things, sins, whatever you've been running after, come to me. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. This is the paradox of our king." [00:40:36] (31 seconds)
"Do you know that there, John Newton said this in one of his hymns, thou art coming to a king, large petitions to him bring. For his grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much. Our king, do you know who our king is? He is the king of kings and lord of lords and nothing is impossible for him. He can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine and he is just waiting for us to ask him." [00:44:23] (34 seconds)
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