John 12:12-15

Today the world generally does not consider the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Oh yes, we call Him the King of kings and Lord of lords. But what exactly does this profession indicate?

To understand the Role of Christ the King, we must understand the Office of the King. A king is the sovereign ruler of a nation. Whether he comes to office by lineal descent or by conquest, he holds and exercises supreme authority over his people.

The Israelites have a rich history in regard to their desire for a king. The Old Testament gives many prophecies to point us to the revelation of the true King.

When Jacob (Israel) told his sons of their future, he did so by addressing them as tribes. Special distinction was given to the tribe of Judah:

“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” (Genesis 49:10)

This prophecy set forth two significant things to the Israelites. First, it states that when Jacob’s descendants became a mighty nation, Judah would be the ruling tribe from which the God-ordained King would descend. Secondly, the prophecy foretold the coming of Shiloh. Shiloh has the meaning of “tranquility,” or peace; pointing to the coming Prince of Peace. The Sceptre, a symbol of power and authority, would remain in the tribe of Judah until the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.” (Jeremiah 23:5)

Jeremiah’s prophecy narrows the promise of a King down from a tribe to a family, specifically the family of David. The Israelites typically looked at David at their greatest king; and success as a king was measured by his standard. Jeremiah’s prophecy also broadened the scope of this Son of David’s Rule to encompass the whole earth! Such a world–wide rule would indeed be a glorious Kingdom. Such a King would indeed be a great King.

As we look at our text, we can now appreciate some of the feelings of those who witnessed Christ’s earthly ministry. Their idea of the King was of a political reformer or a military leader who would throw off the bands of Roman oppression and re-establish Israel as a free and sovereign kingdom once again, with a return to their former glory under David and his son Solomon. This is the sentiment as we see the people gathering to celebrate the coming of their King:

“…Hosanna to the Son of David…” (Matthew 21:9)

The word “Hosanna” is a Hebrew word meaning, “save now we pray.” The children of Israel sang those words in a psalm of thanksgiving for the Lord’s mercy:

“Save now, I beseech thee [Hosanna], O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.” (Psalms 118:25)

“Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.” (Psalms 118:26)

This psalm was sung by priests as a blessing on those who made thanksgiving offerings at the Temple; at once declaring that God is the true King, and He blesses those who serve Him thankfully.

The Triumphal Entry of our text shows that the nation of Israel recognized Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah. They had seen His miracles; they had heard His teachings; they rejoiced over Him as He rode into Jerusalem that day in fulfillment of prophecy:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9)

Christ is The King. The nation of Israel recognized Him as such. They were jubilant at the prospect of turning the political tide against the Romans. However, Jesus declared His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36); but is a Spiritual Kingdom, wherein dwelleth righteousness. The people wanted a military leader, not a reminder of their wickedness. They wanted political change, rather than spiritual renewal. And so they rejected their King, crying, “…We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15).

Be sure that the people’s rejection does nothing to deny the fact that Jesus Christ is “…the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). He is Supreme; He is Sovereign; He will never relinquish His Throne, but will rule over all things for all eternity. The important thing is that we recognize Christ as our King. This means that we surrender and submit to Him, giving Him His proper place as Lord and Ruler of our lives.

Let us acknowledge Christ the King. And let our cry of joy and adoration match the enthusiasm of those people in our text as they rejoiced to behold the King –

“… I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19:40)