Hail the King Who Humbly Comes to Save Us

We are about to enter the Holiest Week of the year. On Maundy Thursday, we will commemorate the Last Supper, the Passover meal at which Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Altar for the forgiveness of sins, of which Jesus said: “This do, in remembrance of Me.” On Good Friday, we will solemnly commemorate the death of the Lord in atoning payment for the sins of the world in our Tenebrae (darkness) Service.

But first we remember the day on which Jesus rode into Jerusalem in fulfillment of prophecy—Palm Sunday. The Old Testament Lesson in Zechariah 9 foretold to the remnant who had returned from the Babylonian Captivity that days of glory would once again return—on the Day that the Messiah came to Jerusalem.

Our Gospel Lesson tells us what happened that day in all the details, as witnessed by Matthew and recorded accurately by him by inspiration.

In the Epistle Lesson, we hear in poetic form the theological truths of Jesus’ Humiliation and Exaltation, how Jesus is God Himself, yet became True Man, emptied Himself of the full use of His divine power, in order to die the lowest death of all—crucified as a criminal for the criminals (sinners) of the world (including us). The Epistle also describes the glorification of Christ that began on Easter Sunday which will culminate when even Christ’s enemies will be forced to bow before Him when He returns in judgment.

We’ll consider our Gospel in the sermon under the theme: “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty”

This Sunday, our readings are:

      Zechariah 9:9–10

      Philippians 2:5–11

      Matthew 21:1–11  (sermon text)

      Psalm 24