Christ the King of Peace

Date: 4/16/23

Sermon Title: Christ the King of Peace

Context: Mark 11:1-11

(Mark. 11:1) As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples,

(Mark. 11:2) saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.

(Mark. 11:3) If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "

(Mark. 11:4) They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it,

(Mark. 11:5) some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?"

(Mark. 11:6) They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.

(Mark. 11:7) When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.

(Mark. 11:8) Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.

(Mark. 11:9) Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

(Mark. 11:10) "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!"

(Mark. 11:11) Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Preaching Note  

1. Roman Peace

When Jesus was born, the person who was revered as the “Prince of Peace” in the Roman Empire was Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. ‘Augustus’ was added to the original name of Octavianus, and it is a name that clearly expresses that his position of power is incomparably high. Because this man wisely governed the Roman Empire, he had almost universal support. The horrors of the long-continued war passed, and peace was established everywhere, and throughout the Empire this man was hailed as the ruler of peace.

     However, this peace was 'your peace' and not 'our peace'. This peace was an armed peace that relied on repressive military violence. This peace was a political peace by a powerful power that did not allow space for freedom and forced submission. This peace was for the upper classes driven by colonial exploitation and economic plunder. Moreover, this peace also had a religious and ideological aspect. In Rome, poets praised Augustus as a god, and official colonial documents described him also. Priene's calendar in Asia Minor expressed the emperor's birthday as 'God's birthday'. An Egyptian deed recording the repayment of borrowed money lists Augustus as “the son of a god” in its year-end report.

Q.1 How do you think about violence?

2. Messiah

Jesus says to his disciples. “You go to the village across the street. When you enter it, you will find a colt tied up that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it back” (v. 2). Jesus riding on a donkey is related to the Messiah, that is, the King. In the Old Testament, Zechariah, it is written that the Messiah will come riding on a young donkey. “Rejoice greatly, O city of Zion. O city of Jerusalem, shout for joy! your king is coming to you. He is the King of justice, and salvation. He is gentle, and comes riding on a donkey, a colt” (Zechariah 9:9). The Passover pilgrimage was traditionally done on foot. (Yang Yong-eui, 「How to read the Gospel of Mark」, 256). However, Jesus riding a young donkey seems to imply that he is the Messiah, i.e. the king.

     In the Book of Zechariah in the Old Testament, it is written that the king who comes riding on a young donkey is the king of peace. “I am about to remove the chariots from Ephraim, and the war horses from Jerusalem, and break the bows of war. His king will proclaim peace to the nations, and his rule will extend from sea to sea, from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth” (Zechariah 9:10). The King who comes riding on a young donkey is the King of Peace who will establish a nation of peace where there will be no fights, wars, violence, or domination. He is not a political and military king who parades on horseback.

Q.2 What kind of animal do you like best?

3. King

“When someone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’, you say, ‘The Lord is going to use it. When we have used it, we will send it back here without delay'” (v. 3). Jesus calls himself ‘Lord’. He says he is the Messiah, the King.

     The disciples see the colt and untie it (v. 4). Some of the people standing there ask them. “What are you doing, untying the colt?” (v. 5). Then the disciples tell them as Jesus told them. Then people remain silent (v. 6). The disciples brought the colt to Jesus and put their mantle on its back (v. 7). According to the Book of 2 Kings in the Old Testament, taking off one's outer garment and laying it on the floor was an act done during a king's coronation ceremony. “Then they got up in haste, each one took off his clothes, spread them under Jehu’s feet on a stone, and blew the trumpets and shouted, ‘Jehu has become king’” (2 Kings 9:13).

     The disciples are expecting Jesus as a political king. People are also expecting Jesus as that. Many spread their outer garments on the road (v. 8). Then, they break off the branches of trees with many leaves and spread them on the road (v. 8). John 12:13 refers to the “branch of a living tree” as “a palm tree.” The palm tree symbolizes a very noble person. “Everyone, precious as a palm tree and lowly as a reed, will be of no avail” (Isa. 19:15). People show the highest respect and welcome towards Jesus. The important thing is who you believe in Jesus and whether you welcome him.

Q.3 Are you ready to greet Jesus?