There  is  no  shortage of  references  to  the  term  king  in  the  bible.There  were  prominent  and influential kings such as Abimelech King of Gerar, and Pharaoh King of Egypt.  There were also wise and benevolent rulers like King Solomon. 1 Kings 5:12-13 states: “And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom as he promised him.” There were even imprudent kings whose divine authority was contested by the people. In I Chronicles 10:13 we may read: “So  Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar sprit to inquire of it.”              

The primary role of the king was to serve the state as protector, warrior and judge; therefore, it is not  surprising  that  these  characteristics  of  kingly  leadership  did  not  square  with  the  common  and contemporary understanding of Jesus a king.  Nevertheless, when Jesus rode into the city  of Jerusalem, in love, and in thanksgiving, in praise and in adoration of Jesus, the people cut down branches of palm trees and laid them in the streets for the royal procession (John 12:13).  As far as these people were concerned, a new kind of king had entered the city.              

Theologically,  Jesus  was  a  new  kind  of  king.  He  spent  three  long  years  teaching  and  preaching parables about the kingdom of heaven, and he told individuals we they must do in order to received eternal life. Historically, Jesus  was a new kind of king. The prophet Isaiah had predicted his coming years before he  was  born.  Isaiah  9:6  states: “And  they  shall  call  him  Wonderful  Counselor,  Mighty  God,  Everlasting Father and the Prince  of Peace.”Relationally, Jesus  was a  new kind of king.  He didn’t just mingle with the  powerful  and  influential  people  of  society.    Jesus  chose  to  spend  his  time  with  the  neglected, marginalized  and  alienated  people  of  his  day.    Yes,  in  a  company  of  prostitutes,  and  drunkards,  and  tax collectors and robbers Jesus said: “Whosoever shall lose their life for my sake shall find it.” Jesus refused to ride in on a horse of war; instead he traded it in for a donkey of peace. He refused to allow spears to be by his side; instead braches of palms trees welcomed the new king to his thrown. Yes, a new kind of king came to town.  He  was a king that inspired the lyrics to a famous spiritual: “Ride on King Jesus, No man can  hinder  me.  Ride  on  King  Jesus,  No  man  can  hinder  me.  He  is  the  King  of  Kings.  He  is  the  Lord  of Lord, Ride on King Jesus, No man can hinder me.” Amen.