Sermon preview, week of April 8, 2025
The King's Stride
This Sunday’s order
- Sunday
- Reading
- Luke 19:28-40
- Preaching
- Jonathan Balmer
This is a sermon preview for the fourth week of our “Walking in Wisdom: A Lenten Study of Proverbs” series.
The readingLuke 19:28-40
Visit FBCM’s YouTube channel to view video live stream or audio version of sermon (published week after).
“... They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road."
-from Luke 19:28-40
Read Luke 19:28-40
28After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent out two of His disciples, 30saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32So those who were sent went out and found it just as Jesus had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34“The Lord needs it,” they answered. 35Then they led the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it, and put Jesus on it. 36As He rode along, the people spread their cloaks on the road. 37And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: 38“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!” 40“I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”
Berean Standard Bible, public domain
“There are three things that are stately in their stride,
four that move with stately bearing: a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing; a strutting rooster, a he-goat,
and a king secure against revolt”
-from Proverbs 30:29-31 (NIV)
According to the Proverbs, there's four creatures stately in their stride, including a king. As we remember Palm Sunday, we are reminded of the King of King- Jesus Christ - who strode into Jerusalem on an unlikely colt. Though an unusual King, the crowds can see this is the only king who worthy of our praise.
When you compare these two passages side-by-side it seems the differences stick out to us more than the similarities. After all, Jesus (though a King) does not appear "secure against revolt." He begins the week with cheers from the crowd of "Hosannah!" But we know, as we follow the last week of Jesus's ministry before His crucifixion, the cries of "Crucify Him!" will not be here before the week ends.
How are we to understand King Jesus when he does not seem stately or mighty? When he, or us, do not seem secure? How do we understand Palm Sunday when palms (and indeed coats) are laid down?
The answer, we will find, is that Jesus redefines might: it is in his weakness. He redefines glory: it is in his humility. He upends more than our expectations. He turns the world upside down.
Join us this special Palm Sunday!
(And bring a coat or jacket!).
