Palm Sunday (1905)

Matthew 21:1-9 "Oh, what are we without Jesus? Thirsty, miserable and poor. Oh, what are we? Full of misery." Time and again we should remember how sad it would be for us if we would have no Savior. To be without Jesus is nothing else than to be without God, without mercy and forgiveness, under wrath and curse, and finally to be cast from God forever.1 The more we know how bleak and hopeless we are without Jesus, the more eager we will always hear the message of mercy: "See, your King comes to you!" As that people in our Gospel, we will cheer for him from the bottom of our hearts: Blessed is He who is to come, has come and still comes! Let us consider this good news: "See, your King comes to you!" 1. Your king comes. 2. For your benefit and salvation. 1. a. This word2 came true through the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It was a kingly entrance, quite unique. Before blind reason, the event is annoying, obnoxious, ridiculous. It lacks earthly splendor and earthly extravagance. This should demonstrate, however, that He is not a worldly king.3 Nevertheless, Christ is King, the most glorious and powerful king. Certainly he leads even in secret and conceals His royal power and majesty.4 He shines forth here too. Verses 1-3 gives news about His omniscience, 6-7a about His omnipotence; He directs hearts like streams of water. The fact that Christ elicits such enthusiasm enables them to conclude that He is more than a mere man. That all the prophecies to the smallest detail were fulfilled in Him shows that He is the king sent by God, the Son of David, the Messiah, as the people quite rightly said.5 b. Your King comes; He gently enters into Jerusalem. Why? He knew very well what awaited Him. He repeatedly announced His suffering and death.6 Just at the end He turns into Jerusalem in order to bring to completion His great work, the greatest act of salvation, by dying and bleeding. Especially when considering the passion history, it is important to emphasize; He suffers here, is condemned by all
Ephesians 2. Matthew 21:5. 3 John 18:36. 4 Philippians 2:6-8. 5 Matthew 21:9; 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 9:6-7. 6 Luke 18:31-33.
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the judges and rejected by the people, He hangs on a curse of wood, abandoned by God, He is still the King, truly God, God's only Son, in Whom God is well-pleased. But Christ Himself insisted until the very end that He is the son of God, and not by chance was it written on the cross: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." As King He went into the last struggle with sin and death, devil and hell. For whoever does not believe that the Lamb of God is sacrificed for him and the blood of God has flowed for him is not redeemed. Likewise, it is necessary to believe that He is your king, that He has accomplished everything for your benefit and salvation. 2. a. Following the adoption of human nature, Christ could have accompanied as God-man on earth, just as He once will appear on His return. He was always in full possession of all divine attributes as He walked the earth. Why did He not always and completely use the divine majesty communicated to Him? In order to fulfill all righteousness as your guarantor, in your place,7 in order to redeem you through His blood and to acquire as His own, in order to be your King.8 Everything He has done, suffered and endured, is done for your good; He has come for your benefit and salvation, in general, to seek and to save what was lost. By His wounds shall you be healed. He takes your curse, anger and death upon himself so that you have blessing, grace and life.9 b. The King still comes for your own good. Not in order to purchase your salvation; it is all fulfilled. He now comes in order to bestow and to give to you what He has purchased, namely through Word and Sacrament. Even now and so often you hear this news of grace: "See, your King comes to you!" as He knocks on the door of your heart and wants to be received. This is salvation and blessing to you. He comes with full hands, brings all grace or what you need for salvation. Oh, open wide your heart to Him and entrust it to Him alone. Yes, let us always receive this Good News: "See, your King" etc. with faithful hearts; let us rejoice and praise in sincere gratitude: "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!" A.F.

Galatians 4:4; Matthew 3:15. 2 Corinthians 8:9; 5:15. 9 KELG 89:6-8.

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