Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

The King Arrives!

Bryan Schneider · August 19, 2023

Mark 11:1-10

sharonrpc.org/sermons/the-king-arrives

Summary

Political campaigns promise transformations they cannot deliver, but Mark directs hope to Jesus, the true and enduring King.
Jesus deliberately fulfills Old Testament royal promises: Judah's ruler associated with a colt, the saving King of Psalm 118, Zechariah's humble King, and David's everlasting heir.
By directing the disciples to the colt and riding publicly into Jerusalem, Jesus brings the Gospel's earlier secrecy about his identity to a decisive end.
The crowds give Jesus royal treatment with garments, branches, and cries of Hosanna, proclaiming the arrival of David's kingdom.
The people expect political liberation, but Jesus establishes a kingdom not of this world by defeating sin, death, rulers, and principalities.
Jesus receives a crown of thorns, a blood-soaked royal robe, mock homage, and the elevated throne of the cross before rising and ascending to the Father's right hand.
Earthly leaders and elections change, but Jesus lives and reigns forever as the Prince of Peace.
Believers are called to receive, rest upon, trust, obey, and hope in Christ rather than making politicians into messiahs.

Why are people tempted to place messianic hopes in political leaders?
How do Genesis 49, Psalm 118, Zechariah 9, and 2 Samuel 7 prepare for Jesus' entry?
What does Jesus' foreknowledge and direction concerning the colt reveal about the event?
Why do garments on the road and cries of Hosanna identify Jesus as King?
How did the crowd's political expectations differ from the kingdom Jesus came to establish?
How do the crown, robe, mock homage, and cross paradoxically reveal Jesus' kingship?
What did Jesus conquer through his death and resurrection?
Where are you placing hopes that belong only to the reigning Christ?

Triumphal entry: Jesus' deliberate royal entrance into Jerusalem on a colt amid garments, branches, and public cries of praise.
Hosanna: A plea meaning save now, used by the crowd to acclaim Jesus as the one who comes in the Lord's name.
Davidic covenant: God's promise to David of an offspring whose throne and kingdom would be established forever.
Messiah: The anointed King promised in Scripture, fulfilled in Jesus rather than in a merely political deliverer.
Kingdom not of this world: Christ's heavenly reign, established through his humiliation, death, resurrection, and ascension rather than ordinary political conquest.
Exaltation of Christ: Jesus' resurrection, ascension, heavenly session, and coming acknowledgment as Lord by every creature.