Your King Comes to You

Scripture: References only Series: Return to the Lord Date: Not yet programmed Preacher: Ed Rangel Location: Chile Scripture: References only Sermon Type: Expository Status: Not yet preached

Thesis

The promised King comes righteous, victorious, and humble; He eliminates weapons, announces peace to the nations, and rules to the ends of the earth.

Opening

Ancient kings displayed strength through horses, chariots, and weapons. Zechariah calls Jerusalem to welcome a King who comes riding on a donkey's colt. His humility is not weakness, because He arrives righteous and endowed with salvation.

The following verse broadens the surprise because this King does not strengthen the chariot of war; rather, He eliminates it. He destroys the bow, speaks peace to the nations, and extends His dominion beyond Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem in a way that compelled people to read this passage.

Introduction

1. Zechariah spoke to a community that had returned from exile and was still waiting for the fullness of God's kingdom.
2. The prophet announces judgment against enemies and the arrival of the King to Zion.
3. The two verses unite humility, justice, salvation, peace, and universal dominion.
4. The Gospels identify Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as the fulfillment of this promise.

Scripture Reading: Reference

Zechariah 9:9–10

I. ZION MUST REJOICE BECAUSE HER KING COMES (v. 9)

A. The promise is personal to the people.

1. Zechariah does not merely announce a new policy.
2. He declares that your King comes to you.
3. Hope is concentrated on the arrival of a person.
4. The people need the King Himself, not just the benefits of His rule.

B. The King is righteous and brings salvation.

1. His character contrasts with corrupt rulers.
2. He does not use justice as a word to hide self-interest.
3. He possesses the capacity to save that other kings do not have.
4. Zion's joy rests on who He is and what He can do.

C. The King comes humble.

1. The colt does not deny His royal authority.
2. It reveals a kind of government distinct from military arrogance.
3. The humility of the King is strength under God's purpose.
4. Whoever receives this King must abandon the idea that greatness means selfish dominion.

II. THE KING REMOVES WEAPONS AND SPEAKS PEACE (v. 10)

A. God eliminates the instruments of war.

1. The chariot, the horse, and the bow represented military power.
2. The security of the kingdom would not ultimately depend on those resources.
3. The promised King does not extend His dominion through the methods of human conquest.
4. His people cannot defend His kingdom by contradicting His character.

B. The King speaks peace to the nations.

1. The message goes beyond the borders of Israel.
2. The nations are not merely enemies to be destroyed.
3. They receive an announcement of peace under the rule of the King.
4. Reconciliation with God forms a people who learn to seek peace without abandoning truth.

C. Peace remains under authority.

1. Zechariah does not describe independence from the King.
2. Peace comes through His righteous rule.
3. Rejecting His authority means rejecting the peace He announces.
4. The gospel does not offer relief without repentance nor communion without obedience.

III. THE KING'S DOMINION REACHES THE ENDS OF THE EARTH (v. 10)

A. His kingdom is greater than a local restoration.

1. The language from sea to sea presents a universal scope.
2. No human kingdom can confine His authority.
3. The visible weakness of Zion does not limit the divine promise.
4. The humble King possesses a dominion that surpasses empires.

B. Jesus deliberately fulfilled the sign of the humble King.

1. He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey and a colt.
2. He did not take the city through military violence.
3. He was rejected, crucified, and later resurrected.
4. He now possesses all authority and His gospel is proclaimed to the nations.

C. The church must reflect the methods of the King.

1. We do not advance the kingdom through coercion, falsehood, or revenge.
2. We proclaim the word and call people to an obedient faith.
3. We serve with the humility of those who were also reached by grace.
4. We await the final and visible appearance of the King who already reigns.

Matthew 21:4–5

Application

Receive the King as He presents Himself, not as a tool for your ambitions. Jesus does not come to validate every cause that uses His name. His righteousness, humility, and peace also judge our methods.

Renounce the carnal weapons with which you try to control others. Do not use fear, manipulation, or falsehood to defend a truth. The kingdom advances by the word of the King and a life that reflects His character.

Live under the dominion you proclaim. Christ's peace is not permission to direct your own life. Submit relationships, decisions, and plans to the King whose authority reaches to the ends of the earth.

Conclusion

1. Zion was to rejoice because her King was coming personally.
2. He would be righteous, victorious, and humble.
3. He would destroy weapons and speak peace to the nations.
4. His dominion would reach the ends of the earth.

Invitation

Your King came humble and laid down His life for our sins. Jesus Christ has resurrected and reigns. The peace He announces requires you to abandon rebellion and submit to Him.

Hear His word, believe in Christ, repent, confess His name, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. Receive the King, not merely an idea of peace separated from His rule.