This Sunday we celebrate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem in the final week of His life. We often call this the “Triumphal Entry.” Finally, Jesus is recognized as the king He really is. Or so it seems.

In Luke’s account, Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem” in Luke 9:51; ever since, He has been headed this direction. Finally in chapter 19, He arrives.

Now, He does not become king at this point – He has been king from the beginning. Indeed, in Luke 1:33 the angel Gabriel tells Mary, “He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Yet it is not obvious at the beginning of His public ministry that He is king. While often speaking of the kingdom, Jesus does not proclaim, “I am the king.” Indeed, John tells us that He withdrew when a crowd wanted to make Him king (John 6).

As Jesus approaches Jerusalem in the final months of His life, however, He declares that He is king more and more clearly Consider how Luke brings this out:

• Luke 11:20: “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
• Luke 11:31: “Something greater than Solomon is here.”
• Luke 17:21: “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

Nevertheless, Jesus still has made no overt claim to kingship.

But now the day has come. His death is imminent. He must show that He is king, and that the king will suffer and die for His people. So now He acts out His kingly role.

Following Jesus’ commands, the disciples place Him on a young donkey, in fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9-10 about the coming of the King. They then spread out their cloaks in the donkey’s path – the equivalent of rolling out the red carpet for Him.

As He travels toward Jerusalem, a huge crowd gathers, rejoicing and praising God. They have seen His many mighty works; now they are ready to name this man King. So they quote Psalm 118, crying out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38). There is no ambiguity now. The crowds proclaim, “He’s the One! He’s the Messiah.”

They continue, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” This echoes the announcement of the angels to the shepherds of Bethlehem (Luke 2:14).

Jesus is the king. He is the one who brings peace. He is the one who brings glory to God. These people are right to praise God for his mighty works.

The Pharisees have been concerned about Jesus’ claims to authority. This has come out particularly when he has declared sins forgiven, and claimed lordship over the Sabbath. So they now appeal to Jesus himself! “Teacher,” they call out – note that they don’t refer to Him as “Lord” or ‘King” – “rebuke your disciples!” (Luke 19:39).

But Jesus responds, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:40). That is, “This proclamation must happen! I must be acknowledged as King! All creation exists to proclaim that I am worthy, that I am God!”

So at this point, the crowds seem to see Jesus rightly. And even inanimate objects – stones! – see Him this way. Jesus’ enemies see less clearly than the stones.

Then Jesus, in His moment of apparent triumph, weeps over Jerusalem – that is, over the very people who are rejoicing that He is King! He says, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:42).

So while the crowd is calling out, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest,” Jesus seems to be saying that many of these proclaiming Him King, do not truly see Him.

Jesus explains by prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem (which the Romans will carry out forty years later). He says that this will happen “because you did not know the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:44).

Understand this: Jerusalem will be destroyed

• because it does not recognize Immanuel, God with us;
• because it does not acknowledge Jesus as Messiah, as God in the flesh;
• because the Word became flesh and dwelt among them, and came to His own people, and they did not receive Him.

And who among those in Jerusalem fails to recognize Immanuel? Who will consequently suffer? Surely the Pharisees, those who overtly oppose Him. But not only them. Also many of these same people shouting, “Hosanna!” So Jesus, in the midst of this jubilation, when He is finally being rightly honored as king, cries out, “Many of you still don’t see Me rightly. And therefore judgment will come upon you.”

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, for most of its citizens – even of those hailing Him as king – are full of pride, of self-righteousness, of rebellion against God. Jesus came to pay the penalty for that rebellion, to take on Himself the punishment that they deserve. But with few exceptions they fail to recognize that. He is in their midst. Many rejoice in Him briefly. But in the end they reject Him. Seeing, they do not see (Luke 8:10).

This is a sobering word for us today. We sing, proclaiming Jesus is Lord. We smile and exult on Palm Sunday. We confess that we are subjects of King Jesus.

But do we recognize Jesus in all His power, all His glory, all His sovereignty?

Do we see Him not as a power that we can control, not even as a being we can understand, but as the ruling Lord, who has all authority and power?

Some in the crowd who shouted, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” turned on Him when He failed to live up to their expectations. What about you? He is not subject to your expectations. Will you turn on Him? Will you see Him as He truly is?

• See Him – as the One who deserves all honor and praise and majesty.
• See Him – as the righteous Judge who will rightly slaughter His enemies.
• See Him – as the One against whom you have rebelled.
• See that you have no hope if He sheds no tears.
• See Him as the merciful Immanuel for all who humble themselves before Him, for all who call on His Name.

Confess that there is nothing in you that deserves his favor or compassion.

Fall on your face! Weep over your hardheartedness! Weep over his sovereign grace! Delight in His mercy!

Come to Him. For He is gentle and humble of heart. And you will find rest and peace for your souls.

(Parts of this devotion are taken from a sermon preached 12/3/06 on Luke 19:28-20:8, “The King’s Authority and the King’s Tears.” You can listen to that sermon at this link.)