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Following Jesus · Part Five · Message Sixty-Eight

Blessed Is the King Who Comes

Jesus publicly comes to Jerusalem as Scripture’s humble King, offering the peace of God’s visitation even as he weeps over its rejection and moves toward the cross.

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Part Five · The Hour Has Come

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Archive recording: The King is Coming
March 24, 2024

Lesson overview

Luke has oriented Jesus’ story toward Jerusalem since 9:51.

Now, after teaching that the kingdom will not appear immediately, Jesus leads the way toward the city and deliberately enacts Zechariah’s royal promise. Near Bethphage and Bethany, two disciples find the unridden colt exactly as Jesus said. Cloaks become a royal road, and a multitude of disciples praises God for the mighty works they have seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

The scene is saturated with Israel’s Scriptures and royal memory. Judah’s ancient blessing speaks of a scepter and a colt. Solomon rode David’s mule to his public anointing. Zechariah announces a righteous, humble King who comes on a donkey and brings peace to the nations. The disciples’ words come from Psalm 118, a festival song welcoming the one who comes in the Lord’s name. When some Pharisees tell Jesus to silence the crowd, he refuses: if these become silent, the stones will cry out.

Jesus publicly comes to Jerusalem as Scripture’s humble King, offering the peace of God’s visitation even as he weeps over its rejection and moves toward the cross.

Luke 19:28–44

He set his face toward Jerusalem

Yet the royal procession does not culminate in self-congratulation. Jesus sees Jerusalem and weeps. The city has not recognized what makes for peace or the time of God’s gracious visitation, and Jesus foretells the devastation that Rome will bring. The humble King comes not to kill but to be killed, bearing sin and making peace through his self-giving. The lesson closes with the Christian hope that the crucified and risen King will appear again as the just King of kings. The proper response between his comings is worship, reconciliation to God, faithful allegiance, and proclamation of his kingdom.

Luke 9:51 becomes the long narrative heading for Jesus’ resolved journey to the place of suffering, resurrection, and ascension.

Near Bethphage and Bethany, Jesus directs two disciples to an unridden colt and approaches Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!

Luke 19:38

1 Kings 1:32–40

Blessed is the King

Genesis 49, Solomon’s accession, and Zechariah 9 provide the royal scriptural background for Jesus’ deliberate entry on a colt.

The crowd honors Jesus on the road and praises God for his mighty works; the Gospel accounts together preserve cloaks, cut branches, and palms.

The disciples adapt Psalm 118 as a royal acclamation, and Jesus tells objecting Pharisees that silence would make the stones cry out.

2 Kings 9:11–13

Awaiting the King of kings

Jesus laments a city that does not recognize God’s visitation and foretells the siege and destruction that will come through Rome.

The praised King continues toward rejection and execution under the royal charge “King of the Jews.”

Revelation 19 supplies a sobering vision of Christ’s just return and summons hearers to worship and proclaim the King between his comings.

Study and reflection

Read, trace, and live the teaching.

This lesson belongs within the whole Gospel story. Read the principal passage slowly, follow the supporting texts in their own contexts, and notice how the words and works of Jesus reveal the kingdom he brings.

Read the passage

Luke 19:28–44

Trace the promise

Genesis 49:8–12; 1 Kings 1:32–40; 2 Kings 9:11–13; Psalm 118:19–29

See the Gospel connection

Isaiah 55:12–13; Habakkuk 2:9–14; Zechariah 9:9–10; Zechariah 14:1–9; Luke 9:51; 13:31–35; 18:31–34; Luke 19:11–44

Follow the truth

John 12:12–19; Colossians 1:19–22; Revelation 19:11–16

Scripture guide

Read the whole teaching in context.

These are the principal passages developed in this message and the texts that clarify its place within the mission of Jesus.

The passage in context