Brent Kuhlman

+ Jesu Juva +

Matthew 21:1-11

Like the prophet Isaiah and Zechariah I’m here to tell you that the King is coming.  After all, it is Advent.  What do you expect?  And for you who have no clue about what King we’re talking about, let me clarify.  We’re not talking about Elvis.  And we’re certainly not proclaiming the Burger King.  A totally different King is coming. Coming to do a Mountain of House of the Lord in the last days to bring peace for the entire world.

But Isaiah’s prophecy has been fulfilled.  For in fact, the King has come.  Smack dab in your midst.  The last days are upon us. “It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep.  Salvation is nearer to us than when we believed,” Paul says. 
       
Better pay attention or you might miss the King.  Can you see Him?  Take a look!  Be careful.  What do you see?  A golden throne?  Red velvet cushions?  A ruby encrusted crown?  Velvety gowns and silky sashes?  Hulk-like body guards?  A Herculean-like World Wrestling Federation entrance?  Does this King call you out?  For a caged grudge match?  To settle the score?  Get His revenge?  To bash in your head with a metal chair and throw you out of the ring for good?      

No.  He’s not like that.  Not at all.  He’s a Beggar King.  He comes to you.  But He comes meek and mild.  Humble.  Rides a borrowed donkey.  No saddle.  Just the disciple’s coats.

And He comes “in the Name of the Lord.”  That means He’s doing God’s work.  He is the God King this Jesus.  King God Jesus peacefully rides into Jerusalem.  The King of kings comes. Doing the work of which Isaiah prophesied.

His coming “in the Name of the Lord” work of peace is for you.  To rescue you and me -- poor sinners.  He is the King who comes to do a Jerusalem and a Good Friday for you.  There, enthroned on the Tree, He does His Mountain of the House of the Lord battle.  He wages war. 

But not against you.  He battles all your enemies.  Sin.  He takes all your sin (yes all of it) and it gets counted against Him.  And with all your sin so too the entire weight of its punishment.  With yours, mine, and the world’s sin bearing down on Him He is the Sinner.  Numbered with the transgressors.  And He gets damned.  “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?”  Now you are forgiven.  You are at peace with God. 

“See your king comes to you.”  He rides into Jerusalem meek and mild.  For you.  Enthroned on the Tree King Jesus knocks out death’s front teeth.  Bloodies his nose.  Breaks his jaw.  Then the choke hold.  Puts death to death in His humble but humiliating crucifixion.  And so now you have life.  Now and forever.  Now you pray like Simeon:  “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace.” 

“See your king comes to you.”  Does His Jerusalem.  Does His Good Friday.  Does His Mountain of the House of the Lord on Mount Calvary. There He disembowels the devil.  Runs him through with the sword of His mouth.  “Father, forgive them.”  “Father, into your hands I commend My spirit.”  “It is finished.”   There you have it.  With His Word King Jesus guts Satan.  Eviscerates him.  Fillets that old serpent.  And now you have a different Lord.  King Jesus.

“See your king comes to you.”  To save you!  He comes as gift and blessing.  Your prayer of “Hosanna” (“please, save now”) is answered.  He saves you!  As Jesus rides into Jerusalem.  When He dies the Cross.  When He buries you with Him into His death and raises you up with Him in the cleansing and life-giving waters of Holy Baptism. 

“See your king comes to you.”  King Jesus comes.  With forgiveness.  For you.  He reigns in your heart and conscience through His Word of Absolution.  God is at peace with you.  No grudges.  No ill will.  For Jesus’ sake He loves you.  He saves you now.    

“See your king come to you.”  Humbly and meekly in the bread and wine.  To give you gifts.  His Mount Calvary Body.  His Mount Calvary Blood.  Proof that He’s not at war with you.  Proof that He’s forgiven you everything, conquered death, and defeated the devil. For you.  For your salvation now.

“See your king come to you.”  “Hosanna to the Son of David.  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest!”  For He’s not just a prophet.  He’s the divine beggar Advent King who gives His life into death for you.  Have a happy Advent.

In the Name of Jesus.