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Matthew 26:1-27:66

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Who is this King of Glory?

The events we heard about in the Processional Gospel reading (Jn. 12:12-19) are grand and glorious. The crowds. The shouts of “Hosanna” (which means “save us now”). The people welcoming the King of Israel coming to them on a donkey’s colt.

We might be tempted to think this is Jesus’ moment of glory, but we would be wrong.

In that Processional Gospel, there is a curious statement: “His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about Him and had been done to Him.” As grand as it was, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday was not Jesus in His glory.

So, who is this King of Glory? He is Yahweh, strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.

Who is this King of Glory? He is Jesus who emptied Himself and took the form of a servant and was born in the likeness of men for you.

Who is this King of Glory? He is Jesus, obedient to His Father. Obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross for you.

Who is this King of Glory? He is Jesus. Delivered up to be crucified. Betrayed by Judas’ kiss. Giving His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sin. Denied by one of His closest friends. Arrested by soldiers. Seized. Spat upon all for you.

Who is this King of Glory? He is Jesus. Sentenced to die in exchange for a notorious, rebellious murderer. Stripped of clothes. Mocked. Flogged. Beaten. Crowned with thorns. Carrying His own cross all for you.

Who is this King of Glory? He is Jesus. Crucified. Mocked. Abandoned by God for you.

Who is this King of Glory? He is Jesus. Dead. Buried for you.

“Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.”

Who is this King of Glory?

He is Jesus. At His name, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

It is His glory to win you back. It is His glory to defeat your enemies of sin, death, and the devil. It is His glory to redeem you.

It is His glory to show His unfathomable mercy by giving Himself unto death for you.

It is His glory to do all of this for you because the stone will not hold Him. Jesus is not dead, but lives.

Hosanna! Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna to the King of Glory. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.