WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.019 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:16.160 Special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:23.920 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced there's no one so good. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:34.760 They don't need God's grace and no one so bad they can't have it, which is why we come back week after week to look at God's word together because we believe that God has something to say to all of us. 00:00:35.700 --> 00:00:38.620 This Sunday, we're entering the season of Advent. 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:46.340 By the way, I realized recently this is my third, not my third, my fourth Advent at Cheyenne Mountain. 00:00:47.340 --> 00:00:52.920 And so you've heard me say this a lot of times now. Advent comes from a Latin word, which means to come or to arrive. 00:00:52.920 --> 00:00:58.820 During the season of Advent, we focus on Jesus coming and arriving to the earth. 00:00:59.160 --> 00:01:03.520 And we do two things with that. First, we celebrate. We celebrate the fact that he has come. 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:08.099 So we sing Christmas hymns like a joy to the world. The Lord has come. 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:15.879 We don't just celebrate, though, at Advent. We also look forward to, we long for what has not yet happened, that Jesus is coming again. 00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:20.500 And so we sing other Christmas songs like that. We sing things like, Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel. 00:01:20.500 --> 00:01:25.799 So there's a celebration of what's happened. There's a looking forward to what's going to happen. 00:01:25.859 --> 00:01:30.299 And really, that's all of the Christian life. In the Christian life, we are celebrating what God has done in the past. 00:01:30.799 --> 00:01:33.319 We are looking forward to what he will do in the future. 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:37.460 We combine both of those things together so we can live faithfully now in the present. 00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:42.879 So Advent, in a sense, is what we do all of the year in the Christian life. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:46.659 This Advent season, we're going to be looking in the book of Zechariah. 00:01:46.659 --> 00:01:50.340 You can turn with me. We're going to be in Zechariah chapter 9. 00:01:50.899 --> 00:01:57.659 And Zechariah is a prophet. He prophesied to the nation of Israel in the late, or just in general, in the sixth century. 00:02:02.659 --> 00:02:07.140 He prophesied to Israel during the sixth century. 00:02:08.199 --> 00:02:10.740 And during that time, there's a lot of things going on. 00:02:10.819 --> 00:02:14.199 Some of it was the rebuilding of the temple after they returned from exile in Babylon. 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:18.639 In this portion of Zechariah, we're going to be looking just at chapters 9 through 13. 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:22.000 So I'm not going to go into everything that the book of Zechariah covers. 00:02:22.339 --> 00:02:23.560 What I am going to tell you is this. 00:02:23.619 --> 00:02:26.259 We are going to look at pictures of the coming kingdom. 00:02:27.319 --> 00:02:29.859 Zechariah is telling these Old Testament people, 00:02:30.139 --> 00:02:32.799 here is what God's kingdom is going to look like. 00:02:33.079 --> 00:02:33.879 Here are some pictures. 00:02:34.539 --> 00:02:39.899 In chapters 9 through 13, there are four places that are referenced in the New Testament about Jesus. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:42.060 There are four weeks that we have in Advent. 00:02:44.060 --> 00:02:44.860 I'm on the talk mic. 00:02:44.980 --> 00:02:45.319 Okay, good. 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:47.800 Four weeks in Advent. 00:02:47.960 --> 00:02:49.960 So we're going to look at those four different passages. 00:02:51.340 --> 00:02:54.800 All of them, Jesus as our king. 00:02:54.900 --> 00:02:58.280 And as we look at this passage, of course, we're going to be reading a large section. 00:02:59.259 --> 00:03:04.319 I believe you have verses 1 through 17 in your worship guide, which is the entire chapter. 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:09.539 We're going to focus especially on verses 9 and 10 and a little bit of verse 11. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:11.019 There's a lot going on here. 00:03:11.079 --> 00:03:12.939 We're reading the whole thing to give us some context. 00:03:13.500 --> 00:03:16.139 But our focus is going to be verses 9 through 11. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:21.120 And if you're familiar with the Bible, you know there's these things that we call hard sayings or hard commands. 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:24.519 There's things that Jesus tells us like, take up your cross and follow me. 00:03:25.579 --> 00:03:31.780 Jesus also says things like, if you don't abandon your family for my sake, you don't have part of my share with me. 00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:37.039 Now, there's another hard saying in the Bible that doesn't typically make that list. 00:03:37.360 --> 00:03:39.840 And it's things that show up in verse 9. 00:03:39.979 --> 00:03:41.120 It's commands like this. 00:03:41.520 --> 00:03:42.379 Rejoice greatly. 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:49.580 Now, you might not think of the command to rejoice as a hard saying. 00:03:50.280 --> 00:03:54.699 But if you think about it, that's something that's challenging for many of us. 00:03:54.920 --> 00:03:56.759 Even as we come on the Christmas season. 00:03:56.759 --> 00:04:01.080 Maybe it's hard for you to rejoice because you've seen a lot of Christmases come and go. 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:04.479 And they just tend to wash over you at this point. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:11.860 Maybe it's hard to rejoice because the Christmas season, rather than a season of celebration, actually highlights how isolated you are. 00:04:11.920 --> 00:04:14.280 Maybe it highlights some of the brokenness in your family. 00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:17.699 Some of the relationships that aren't working the way that they're supposed to work. 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:23.300 And so this command, rejoice, may feel like something that's impossible. 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:26.079 Maybe you're tired from COVID. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:29.359 But you've hit a point of exhaustion like many people have. 00:04:29.839 --> 00:04:31.359 And you just want it to be over. 00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:34.359 You can't imagine actually being excited or delighted about something. 00:04:35.259 --> 00:04:37.379 And yet that is the command of this passage. 00:04:37.479 --> 00:04:38.500 It's the command to us. 00:04:38.779 --> 00:04:42.519 We're told in verse 9 that this is for the daughter of Zion, the daughter of Jerusalem. 00:04:42.519 --> 00:04:44.839 Which is a way of referring to God's people, the Israelites. 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:47.639 Now we take it as God's people, the church. 00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:52.319 And so that's going to be our question this morning as we read this passage. 00:04:53.319 --> 00:05:02.219 How is it in the Advent season, faced with all sorts of things going on in our hearts, can we rejoice? 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:08.780 What is it about Jesus as the coming king that causes us to have great joy? 00:05:10.140 --> 00:05:13.480 It's with that that we're going to turn together to Zechariah chapter 9. 00:05:13.580 --> 00:05:17.040 I invite you to turn with me in your worship guide or in your Bible or in your phone. 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:20.240 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:24.460 And God tells us that his word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. 00:05:24.760 --> 00:05:28.020 Which means he has not left us to stumble alone in the dark. 00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:31.000 But he's given us his word to show us the way to go. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:33.680 And it's for that reason that we read now, starting at verse 1. 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:38.660 The oracle of the word of the Lord is against the land of Hadric. 00:05:38.980 --> 00:05:40.899 And Damascus is its resting place. 00:05:41.660 --> 00:05:45.459 For the Lord has an eye on mankind and on all the tribes of Israel. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:48.240 And on Hamath also, which borders on it. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:51.319 Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:53.920 Tyre has built herself a rampart. 00:05:54.339 --> 00:05:56.279 And heaped up silver like dust. 00:05:56.800 --> 00:05:59.120 And fine gold like the mud of the streets. 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:05.160 But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions and strike down her power on the sea. 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:07.600 And she shall be devoured by fire. 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:09.300 Verse 5. 00:06:10.019 --> 00:06:11.819 Ashkelon shall see it and be afraid. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:14.100 Gaza too, and it shall writhe in anguish. 00:06:14.660 --> 00:06:17.000 Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded. 00:06:17.720 --> 00:06:19.620 The king shall perish from Gaza. 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:21.800 Ashkelon shall be uninhabited. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:24.920 A mixed people shall dwell in Ashdod. 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:27.300 And I will cut off the pride of Philistia. 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:32.360 I will take away its blood from its mouth and its abominations from between its teeth. 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:34.960 It shall be a remnant for our God. 00:06:35.639 --> 00:06:37.620 It shall be like a clan in Judah. 00:06:38.400 --> 00:06:40.319 And Ekron shall be like the Jebusites. 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:46.560 Then I will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:50.100 No oppressor shall again march over them. 00:06:50.580 --> 00:06:52.920 For now I see with my own eyes. 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:54.620 Verse 9. 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:57.480 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. 00:06:57.699 --> 00:06:59.699 Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:02.459 Behold, your king is coming to you. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:04.959 Righteous and having salvation is he. 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:06.959 Humble and mounted on a donkey. 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:09.899 On a colt, the foal of a donkey. 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:14.360 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem. 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:19.720 And the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations. 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:25.680 His rule shall be from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:33.600 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:37.379 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope. 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:40.699 Today I declare that I will restore to you double. 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:44.800 For I have bent Judah as my bow, I have made Ephraim its arrow. 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:51.740 I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior's sword. 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:53.779 Verse 14. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:58.800 Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning. 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:04.360 The Lord God will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. 00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:11.460 The Lord of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour and tread down the sling stones. 00:08:12.080 --> 00:08:18.920 And they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar. 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:20.879 Verse 16. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:25.680 On that day the Lord their God will save them as the flock of his people. 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:29.139 For like the jewels of a crown, they shall shine on his land. 00:08:29.719 --> 00:08:32.539 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty. 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:38.019 Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women. 00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:43.059 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:08:45.439 --> 00:08:52.220 Our Father in heaven, we thank you again that you speak to us, that you spoke through the prophet Zechariah in the 6th century. 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:57.419 And you speak to us this morning, November 29th, 2020. 00:08:57.419 --> 00:09:01.939 We ask that you would use your word in a powerful way among us this morning. 00:09:01.940 --> 00:09:06.640 That you would show us our need for your mercy. 00:09:08.380 --> 00:09:11.160 You'd show us how you meet us with that mercy. 00:09:11.880 --> 00:09:17.000 And you'd use it to cause us to rejoice and to praise you from our hearts. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:22.220 We ask these things confident that you hear us because we ask them in Jesus' name. 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:23.220 Amen. 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:33.920 This past year, as you thought through the calendar, of course there's many things that come with each month. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:38.540 And if you think back to last month, the month of October, there might be a variety of things that stand out. 00:09:39.060 --> 00:09:41.220 Maybe you were someone who was excited about Halloween. 00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:44.019 Maybe you were excited about Reformation Day. 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:47.860 If you were like some of us, though, there was another date on the calendar that was so exciting. 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:51.500 Season 2 of The Mandalorian. 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:54.200 You've been waiting. 00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:57.399 Now, I've talked about The Mandalorian before. 00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:58.560 I won't give you the full backstory. 00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:01.940 Of course, as you know, it happens after Episode 6, The Return of the Jedi. 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:04.000 After the fall of the Empire. 00:10:04.540 --> 00:10:08.860 If you don't know anything about The Mandalorian, you at least know one thing. 00:10:10.920 --> 00:10:12.940 You know about Baby Yoda. 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:19.820 The problem, though, is that its name is not Baby Yoda. 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:23.019 In fact, the makers of the show have tried to clarify this for us. 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:29.300 If you search on Google that you want to buy something related to Baby Yoda, it will not be called Baby Yoda. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:31.100 You'll be buying something called what? 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:33.200 The child. 00:10:34.180 --> 00:10:35.899 Baby Yoda's not its name. 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:38.240 And in fact, you might be confused at some point. 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:43.660 If you don't watch the show, you might actually think that this small green animal is Yoda in young form. 00:10:44.060 --> 00:10:45.120 Of course, we would laugh. 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:48.540 True Star Wars fans know that is chronologically impossible. 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:51.200 Yoda has already died. 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:59.840 So if its name is not Yoda, and it is not Yoda, why do we call Baby Yoda Baby Yoda? 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:03.519 Well, for obvious reasons, right? 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:06.200 It looks so much like Yoda. 00:11:06.280 --> 00:11:07.620 There's so much continuity. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:09.420 It has the same shape as Yoda. 00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:11.120 It has the same color as Yoda. 00:11:11.280 --> 00:11:12.980 It has the same ears as Yoda. 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:15.500 It has some of the same powers as Yoda. 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:19.420 And so we assign this name to a different creature. 00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:24.340 We don't even know, by the way, at this point, if Baby Yoda is even related to Yoda. 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:27.519 Apparently, that's being saved for a future episode. 00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:33.920 If you watched on Friday, of course, all sorts of things were revealed about Baby Yoda. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:38.660 I won't spoil any of it for you except to let you know that we find out Baby Yoda's true name. 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:44.820 Now, why am I bringing up Baby Yoda when we come to Zechariah 9, verse 9? 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:54.100 Because when we come to Jesus arriving at Advent as a child, we could refer to him as Baby David. 00:11:56.420 --> 00:12:00.640 In fact, this is something we would know as good Israelites looking throughout the Old Testament. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:06.980 There is supposed to be one to come who will have surprising, great similarities to David. 00:12:07.300 --> 00:12:08.780 He will have looked like David. 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:10.720 He will have things in common with David. 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:16.879 And so that's why Jesus is referred to again and again in the New Testament as the son of David. 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:21.800 If you're familiar with the book of Matthew as we went through it together as a church in 2017 and 2018, 00:12:22.040 --> 00:12:25.460 you know Matthew refers to him in this way over and over again. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:29.660 And if you were with us last year during Advent as we went through the book of Micah, 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:33.259 we talked about this on December 15, 2019. 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:35.160 We were in Micah chapter 5. 00:12:35.160 --> 00:12:38.700 We talked about the fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:39.879 Why does that matter? 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:45.720 Because we know from 1 Samuel chapter 17, Bethlehem is the birthplace in the hometown of David. 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:49.920 Jesus is coming as a king. 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:57.940 And he is coming as a king in a way that is in line with King David, the great king of Israel. 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:01.379 And in fact, we know this from the very beginning of the story. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:04.399 And we hear about these donkeys from the very beginning of the story. 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:14.500 In Genesis chapter 49, verses 10 and 11, we find out that there is one day going to come a king from the tribe of Judah who will rule over the entire earth. 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:19.120 We find out in the next verse, verse 11, that he's going to have some donkeys. 00:13:20.579 --> 00:13:26.639 This king obviously isn't David because David did not rule over the entire earth. 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:32.500 Now we could spend all morning going through the different places that donkeys and kings show up in the Old Testament. 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.659 I'll just give you a few more in continuity with David. 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:36.220 So Genesis 49, verse 10. 00:13:36.439 --> 00:13:37.960 Tribe of Judah is going to have a king. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:46.180 Then we see in 2 Samuel, verse 16, David is fleeing from Absalom, his son. 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:50.080 What does Mephibosheth's son bring out for him to ride on? 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:52.220 He brings out some donkeys. 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:57.660 1 Kings chapter 1, Solomon takes over from King David. 00:13:57.920 --> 00:14:05.100 To show his continuity, King David makes sure that Solomon rides in on David's donkey. 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:12.560 We are continuing to see the fulfillment of the pattern that Jesus is following after King David. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:16.279 And it's important for us to remember that as people who are not Israelites, 00:14:17.040 --> 00:14:21.180 because that is in the background for us what for them would have been in the foreground. 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:25.300 Their expectation was for a great king to come. 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:30.019 And like baby Yoda looks like the greater Yoda from before, 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:34.540 baby Jesus is going to look like David who came before, 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:36.019 but be even greater. 00:14:37.219 --> 00:14:42.159 And so that's why Jesus is often spoken of as great David's greater son. 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:47.299 Now if baby Yoda were to exceed Yoda in some way, 00:14:47.579 --> 00:14:48.480 in all ways, 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:50.759 in this illustration we become even more perfect. 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:52.379 We don't know yet. 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:54.480 We'll have to stay posted. 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:56.439 But we know this. 00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:57.939 Jesus follows in the line, 00:14:58.339 --> 00:15:00.219 he is a great king. 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:09.060 And so we're looking this morning in Zechariah about what kind of king he is actually going to be. 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:11.100 He's going to be a different kind of king than David. 00:15:11.160 --> 00:15:12.420 He's going to be a greater king. 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:15.800 And it's what makes him this type of king that causes us to rejoice. 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.879 We're going to look at two things. 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:20.100 First, he is going to be a humble king. 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:22.879 He's going to be a humble king. 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:26.620 We're also going to see that he's going to be a peaceful king. 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:30.899 We are going to rejoice about him as our king because he's a humble king. 00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:34.539 And also because he's a peaceful king. 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:38.779 We see first his humility here in verse 9. 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.340 Of course, we're told it explicitly. 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:43.899 Your king is coming to you, righteous and having salvation, 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:46.279 humble and mounted on a donkey. 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:50.579 Now, this donkey, as I mentioned, is showing us this continuity with King David. 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:54.980 It's highlighting the fact that he's going to be a king with a real rule. 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:57.059 But it's not just any donkey. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:59.039 It's the colt, the foal of a donkey. 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:01.740 So this king, he doesn't come in on a regular donkey. 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:05.919 He comes in on what we might call a baby donkey. 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:11.600 Baby David is going to come in on a baby donkey. 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:19.279 And so opposite of what we might expect, this great king coming in with great pomp and circumstance, 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:21.019 he actually chooses the opposite. 00:16:21.180 --> 00:16:22.800 He doesn't just fill the pattern. 00:16:23.040 --> 00:16:24.040 He goes below it. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:28.340 He chooses something even more humble. 00:16:28.800 --> 00:16:30.840 He chooses something even smaller. 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:35.080 Just having a donkey is not low enough. 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:37.980 It has to be a small donkey. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:41.120 Because that's the kind of king he's going to be. 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.500 He's going to be a humble king. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:45.919 And that, of course, is what we see in Jesus' life, right? 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.759 He comes. 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:49.860 He's born not in some palace, not with fanfare. 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:50.740 He's born in a manger. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:54.139 He's not raised with great wealth. 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:57.399 He's raised in a very modest family. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:03.139 Jesus then goes on to spend his ministry moving from place to place. 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.920 He doesn't have a house. 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.799 He's going out and serving other people. 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:11.019 And so he doesn't experience comforts and pleasure. 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:13.339 That's not the characteristic of Jesus' life. 00:17:13.399 --> 00:17:16.319 Instead, he experiences opposition and suffering. 00:17:16.919 --> 00:17:19.539 He is of this humble king. 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:23.440 And, of course, we're told the same thing both in the New Testament and the Old Testament. 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:26.379 In the Old Testament, in Isaiah chapter 53, we're told this. 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:56.360 He says, 00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:57.580 to become a part of it. 00:17:58.380 --> 00:18:01.080 And then we're told in the New Testament in Hebrews chapter 4, 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:06.200 for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:12.180 but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:13.180 Jesus came. 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:15.480 Jesus came. 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:20.539 He experienced all the tragedy of human life just like us. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:25.120 He brings salvation through his humility. 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:29.180 He is a humble king. 00:18:30.860 --> 00:18:34.980 Now, I have a friend who says that there are two kinds of people in the world. 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:41.000 There are here I am people and there you are people. 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:46.220 Now, here I am people, when they show up, of course, what are they saying? 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:46.920 Here I am. 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.779 Pay attention to me. 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:51.440 I need to be the center of the attention. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:54.039 Guess what I can give to you and provide? 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:56.900 A there you are person. 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.759 What do they do when they show up in a room? 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:01.220 They're interested in other people. 00:19:01.300 --> 00:19:02.400 They're moving towards them. 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.100 They're for them. 00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:05.900 They want to know about what's going on in your life. 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:09.180 They're not the person who's there to announce their presence, 00:19:09.280 --> 00:19:11.080 to make the biggest entrance that they can. 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:17.039 What we're told here is Jesus is not a here I am king. 00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:20.939 He is a there you are king. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:24.879 He does not stand far off from us in heaven. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.639 Instead, he comes down. 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:31.720 He doesn't announce his presence, but instead he's born in a manger. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:35.720 He does not perform miracles to call attention to himself, 00:19:35.919 --> 00:19:38.799 but to heal and bring restoration to the world. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:43.839 And ultimately, he comes not for himself, but for us. 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:47.740 He finishes his ministry by dying on a cross for his people. 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:53.339 And so he is a there you are king rather than a here I am king. 00:19:54.500 --> 00:20:00.319 And so we can rejoice because unlike so many kings in this world, 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:03.299 Jesus knows what our existence looks like. 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:07.379 He knows what it is like to be human, and he's with us in it, 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:09.220 and he cares about it. 00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:16.800 We've seen, of course, during this season, plenty of hypocrisy, right? 00:20:16.820 --> 00:20:18.900 We've seen kings who are not with us. 00:20:20.080 --> 00:20:22.340 We've seen kings when it comes to the coronavirus 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:26.440 who say one thing and do another thing. 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:31.759 The motto is, good for thee, not for me. 00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:36.940 It becomes clear they actually live a very different life, right? 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:39.160 COVID restrictions are for other people, not for them. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.640 Social distancing, that's for other people, not for them. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:44.440 Staying away from restaurants, that's for other people, not for them. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:47.920 They use their privileges as kings to serve themselves. 00:20:48.320 --> 00:20:49.779 Not so with Jesus. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:54.960 Jesus actually takes more suffering on himself. 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:59.039 He exceeds what he asks of us. 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:03.960 We long for kings who serve their people, not themselves. 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:08.039 King Jesus is that kind of king. 00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:38.019 King Jesus is that kind of king. 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:41.319 He understands and he knows. 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:44.299 And so we bring all of our things from the weak to him. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:46.059 In fact, I'm going to show you. 00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:47.139 We've already done that this morning. 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.539 Open up your worship guides with me. 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:51.259 This is what we do with a humble king. 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:53.379 Okay, in our call to worship, verse 2, 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.379 we said together, 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:56.539 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:59.399 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:03.559 Okay, so we brought the sickness of this world to our king. 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:06.119 We brought that to him in worship. 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:08.919 Verse 3 at the very top. 00:22:10.199 --> 00:22:12.639 He upholds the widow and the fatherless. 00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:15.959 God cares about people who are financially in danger. 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:21.699 We are able to come to him with that in worship. 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.619 Lower on verse 3. 00:22:23.739 --> 00:22:25.219 Come thou long expected Jesus. 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:26.359 What are we bringing in worship? 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:26.979 Line 2. 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:29.659 From our fears and sins release us. 00:22:30.540 --> 00:22:32.140 Jesus is a humble king. 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:36.400 We can bring our fears to him without any shame. 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:39.560 Lower down on page 3. 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:41.080 Hark the herald angels sing. 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:41.660 Line 2. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:44.060 God and sinners reconciled. 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:48.840 We bring our alienation here to worship. 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:52.039 We bring our alienation from God, 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:53.899 knowing that he's restored us to him. 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:55.839 And then by implication, 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:58.240 we bring our alienation from other people. 00:22:58.339 --> 00:23:00.779 If we have broken relationships during the Christmas season, 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:03.459 we know we can bring that to God in worship 00:23:03.459 --> 00:23:04.679 as the one who reconciles, 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:06.519 the one who's lived in this world 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:09.419 and knows exactly what broken relationships look like. 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:12.779 He is a humble king. 00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:14.599 We can come to him. 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:18.599 He knows and he understands. 00:23:20.399 --> 00:23:23.059 In fact, we sung that at the end of our chorus. 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:25.399 Pleased as man with men to dwell, 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:27.219 Jesus our Emmanuel, 00:23:27.459 --> 00:23:29.500 Emmanuel meaning God with us. 00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:32.859 He doesn't stand far off. 00:23:33.679 --> 00:23:34.679 He comes close. 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:40.240 And so if we get COVID this week, 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.279 we can remember this. 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:44.660 Jesus lived in a frail human body. 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:48.539 He knows what it looks like. 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:51.339 He knows what it's like to get sick. 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:53.599 He knows what it's like to suffer. 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:59.279 And so how do we rejoice in Jesus as king? 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:01.079 Why do we rejoice? 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:05.519 We rejoice because he's Emmanuel. 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.680 He's God with us. 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:10.980 He's a humble king who serves his people 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.640 rather than using them. 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:19.259 Now the donkey here in verse 9 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:21.700 tells us that he's a humble king. 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:23.600 That's not the only thing it tells us though. 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:27.539 The donkey also tells us that he is a peaceful king. 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.940 The donkey would have been understood 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:33.220 in the Old Testament as a sign of peace 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:35.320 because it's the opposite of what? 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:38.619 It's not the war horse. 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.379 If you think I'm making that up, 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:42.399 look on the very next verse. 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.220 Verse 10. 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:46.099 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, 00:24:46.179 --> 00:24:47.759 that's Judah, the northern kingdom of Israel, 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:51.139 and the war horse from Jerusalem. 00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:54.779 This king isn't just coming in humility. 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:56.619 He's coming bringing peace. 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:59.639 The donkey tells us both of those things. 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:02.299 He is going to do something negative. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:04.279 He's going to end wars, 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:05.819 and he's going to bring something positive. 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.859 He's going to speak peace. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.740 That's in verse 10. 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:09.720 He's cutting off this chariot, 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:11.099 this war horse, this battle bow, 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:14.960 and then he's going to speak peace to the nations. 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:17.000 His rule shall be from sea to sea. 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.099 In other words, 00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:20.139 he's going to fulfill what we've been expecting 00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:21.180 from the Davidic king, 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.940 from the Messiah, 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:23.460 from this Judah king, 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.759 from Genesis chapter 49. 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:27.319 He, like the king that was foretold 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.480 in Genesis chapter 49, 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:30.720 is going to rule over the entire earth. 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:34.480 He is going to have a worldwide rule. 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:36.980 We see that, of course, in verse 10. 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:38.400 That's what's meant by his rule 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:39.480 being from sea to sea. 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:43.200 But we saw it earlier in this same passage. 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:44.500 I told you I'd touch on this briefly. 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.720 Verses 1 through 8. 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:48.200 This king is retaking the land of Israel, 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:51.180 moving from north to south. 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:55.080 And so he's coming, conquering his enemies 00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:56.500 so he can bring peace to his people. 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:58.240 And, of course, that's what we see 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.960 in this last section, verses 14 through 17. 00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:03.100 He's restoring his people and bringing them peace. 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:09.259 Jesus is coming as a worldwide king 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:12.799 in his second coming to conquer his enemies, 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:15.120 what we talked about in our confession of faith, 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:17.340 to rule over his people, 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:20.560 giving them full and final peace once and for all. 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:26.480 And so rejoice, not just because he's a humble king, 00:26:26.820 --> 00:26:28.320 but because he's a peaceful king. 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:29.259 By the way, you might have seen 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:31.039 the two different movements of Advent there. 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.500 Remember I told you in Advent, 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:35.060 we celebrate things and we long for things. 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.880 We celebrate that he's humble. 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:38.840 We long for the peaceful kingdom. 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.640 We do both at once. 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:46.320 Now, if you've been with us for a while, 00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:48.320 you've probably heard me talk many times 00:26:48.320 --> 00:26:49.500 about Jesus' second coming. 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:51.539 The fact that he's going to return. 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:53.079 In fact, we talked about it in 2 Peter. 00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:55.259 Remember last week, we talked about the day 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:57.420 that shows up in 2 Peter over and over. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.599 By the way, if you look closely, 00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:00.599 a day shows up in this passage as well. 00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.539 Look at verse 16. 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:05.019 And that's the day, as we discussed, 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:06.380 when Jesus is going to come back 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:07.440 and make all things right. 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:09.880 We find out what that right is going to look like 00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:11.279 because we're told also, verse 9, 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:11.920 he's righteous. 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:13.519 He's going to bring justice to the world. 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:16.000 He's going to restore what's been broken. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.779 He's going to punish what's been wrong. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:20.319 And he's going to vindicate his people. 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.980 And if you've heard me say this over and over, 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:27.440 it might become something that's rote, right? 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:30.160 It might become something that just washes over your head. 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:32.619 Why is Jesus coming as the great king, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:35.140 something that can move us to joy 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:36.380 as we're living right now? 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:38.720 November 29th. 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:41.160 Well, I want you to do a thought experiment with me. 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:45.080 What would life look like if we did not believe 00:27:45.080 --> 00:27:47.860 Jesus was coming back as the king, 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:50.220 the righteous king who would bring peace to the earth? 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:54.880 What would be different about our lives today, 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:57.940 November 29th, if we stopped believing that? 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:03.460 And I'm going to add something to that for you. 00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:09.200 All humans look for the world to be restored. 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:12.940 We all know something is wrong with this world. 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:15.640 We're looking for someone or something to restore it. 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:17.380 So what would happen if we stopped believing that? 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:19.140 Well, we'd have to fill it with something else. 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:21.180 We'd have to put in another narrative. 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.500 There's a book that I've been reading 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:25.080 that came out this summer called Strange Rites, 00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:27.340 which is called, the subtitle is 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:28.779 Religions for a Godless World. 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:30.980 And it gives us a picture of what people do 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:32.799 to fill in the rest of this story. 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:35.759 I'll give you a little bit of an extreme example at first, 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:37.160 and then we'll go to some more common examples. 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:40.700 One of them, right now, witchcraft is on the rise 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:42.220 in the United States. 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:45.160 There's a chapter about this in the book, 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:47.800 and they talk about a witch named Dakota Stockfleet. 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.180 And should they tell us about her, 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:53.180 she provides a series of spells for cursing evildoers, 00:28:53.840 --> 00:28:55.460 characterizing them as, listen to this, 00:28:55.800 --> 00:28:59.400 the only avenue for justice available to the downtrodden. 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:00.920 She says this, 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:02.720 If you practice witchcraft 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.920 and you have never considered cursing someone, 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:07.620 I have to assume you haven't been through much 00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:09.920 in the way of violence, trauma, or abuse. 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:13.279 Folk magic is what arms the poor, 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.680 the downtrodden, and the outcast. 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:20.560 Why do we rejoice that Jesus is coming back 00:29:20.560 --> 00:29:22.180 as a king with worldwide rule 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:23.420 to bring peace to the earth? 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:25.580 We rejoice that he's doing that 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:27.939 because it means we don't have to. 00:29:29.659 --> 00:29:33.079 It is not our job to bring peace to this world. 00:29:34.199 --> 00:29:36.399 Our only hope for justice 00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:38.740 is not casting a spell on someone. 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:43.259 It is on our great king, Jesus. 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:47.000 We don't have to bear up under the weight of that. 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:49.259 Now, you might be thinking, 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:51.179 okay, great, that's a little bit of an extreme example. 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.720 I wasn't gonna become a witch 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:54.720 if I stopped believing in Jesus returning. 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.740 Well, you're in luck. 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:59.100 This book continues to go on 00:29:59.100 --> 00:30:00.920 and present us other options, 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:03.440 the ways that people fill in their need 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:05.360 for the world to be made right, 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:07.059 their need for a utopia. 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:11.640 She identifies two competing civil religions 00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:13.400 going on in the United States right now, 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.880 sort of opposite extremes. 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:18.059 One of them she calls social justice culture. 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.019 She says this, 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:21.920 The solution to the problem of society 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:23.519 is through struggle, 00:30:24.100 --> 00:30:26.060 tearing down the bastions of what has come before. 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:29.580 All of society is the script that must be rewritten. 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:32.740 The arc of history bends towards a new Eden. 00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:35.640 So social justice culture on the one hand, 00:30:36.060 --> 00:30:36.900 a new Eden, right? 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:38.620 New Eden, that's biblical language. 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:40.800 We're restoring the world to the way it was meant to be. 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:43.460 The other extreme is rationalists 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:45.779 and the transhumanists of Silicon Valley, 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:48.200 and their goal is to hack, improve upon, 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:50.640 and even optimize elements of human nature. 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:54.000 And then she tells us this, 00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:56.740 Both groups are fundamentally eschatological. 00:30:57.100 --> 00:31:00.440 That's a fancy word meaning they look towards a future world. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:02.360 They look to the end times. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:04.580 Yet thoroughly materialist. 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:07.100 They seek not salvation out there, 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:09.039 but a purification down here, 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:13.320 a kingdom of heaven that can be realized fully on this earth 00:31:13.320 --> 00:31:15.900 rather than in a world to come. 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:20.880 Ultimately, human beings and only human beings 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:24.620 are the arbiters of goodness in these new faith systems. 00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:29.960 The techno-utopian faith in intellectual potential 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:32.540 and the social justice movement's faith 00:31:32.540 --> 00:31:34.360 in the priority of lived experience 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:37.680 both place the fundamental judgments of goodness, 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.700 morality, and progress 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:42.900 in the hands of human beings, not God. 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:45.620 The point is this. 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:52.540 We cannot escape visions of a restored world filled with peace. 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:55.540 That is what it means to be human. 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.759 The question is, 00:31:57.960 --> 00:32:00.400 which vision are we going to latch onto? 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:07.280 Is it a vision where it's up to us to purify the world, 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:12.559 or it is a vision where God is going to come and purify the world? 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:15.240 It is not a question of whether we'll have a vision. 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:18.839 It is a question of which vision we'll have. 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:24.279 If you think the idea of Jesus returning 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:27.119 in a physical body to this earth 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:30.420 to reign as king over the entire globe 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:32.720 bringing peace sounds crazy, 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:38.500 think about how even crazier it sounds 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:42.220 that we as humanity are going to be able to do that by ourselves. 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:45.980 And yet that is exactly 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:48.900 what the culture and the world around us is telling us. 00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:55.940 It takes less faith to believe 00:32:55.940 --> 00:32:58.840 that Jesus is coming back to make things right 00:32:58.840 --> 00:33:00.620 and to rule over this world 00:33:00.620 --> 00:33:04.220 than it does to believe in these other alternate visions. 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:07.980 And as humans, we must have a vision. 00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:11.140 We're told in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:12.980 that God set eternity in our hearts. 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:16.420 In other words, we must as human beings 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:18.220 look to a future. 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:19.960 Look to a world. 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:22.340 Long for a world in which there's good kings 00:33:22.340 --> 00:33:23.779 and full justice. 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:28.300 And so outside of Jesus, 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:31.420 justice is up to us 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:33.539 and goodness is within us. 00:33:34.840 --> 00:33:37.519 Outside of Jesus, justice is up to us. 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:39.420 Goodness is within us. 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:44.220 And if you know anything about humanity, 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:46.400 you know how terrible that sounds. 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:49.460 Take any two of those movements, 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:51.660 any three of those movements that we've mentioned, 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:55.640 and you know how quickly they lead to injustice, 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:58.480 how quickly they lead to violence, 00:33:59.019 --> 00:34:02.380 how quickly they're unable to live up 00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:04.860 to the utopia that they claim to bring. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:08.079 Jesus is the one 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:10.579 who presents a vision 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:12.960 that's more realistic and more beautiful. 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:16.780 Jesus' vision is the only one 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:19.639 in which rather than just conquering his enemies, 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:21.059 although he does, 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:23.579 he also dies for his enemies. 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:28.800 Jesus' vision is the only one 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:30.380 that allows us to be human 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:34.420 because you and I cannot bear up 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:37.000 under the burden of being fully responsible 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:39.780 before purifying everything that's wrong 00:34:39.780 --> 00:34:40.480 with this world. 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:44.800 We can't even fix what's wrong with ourselves. 00:34:47.240 --> 00:34:49.300 Jesus' vision is greater, 00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:50.860 more realistic, 00:34:51.240 --> 00:34:52.240 more beautiful, 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.740 and more powerful. 00:34:54.240 --> 00:34:56.120 There is a reason he tells us 00:34:56.120 --> 00:34:57.660 that his yoke is easy 00:34:57.660 --> 00:34:59.960 and his burden is light. 00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:05.699 And so why do we rejoice 00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:07.539 in Jesus as our king? 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:10.139 Because our king, Jesus, 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:13.920 promises us a more sure utopia 00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:16.139 than anyone else can. 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:18.679 He promises a more realistic one 00:35:18.679 --> 00:35:20.059 than anyone else can. 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:23.440 And he promises one that does not rely on us, 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:25.179 but relies on him. 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:29.639 And so, no matter what's happening in this world, 00:35:29.639 --> 00:35:31.559 we can truly rejoice. 00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:35.619 We can do what Jesus tells us to do. 00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:37.000 We can turn the other cheek 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:38.579 and we can actually love our enemies. 00:35:38.719 --> 00:35:39.859 We don't have to curse them 00:35:39.859 --> 00:35:41.460 as that witch described 00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:44.699 because we trust Jesus to bring justice. 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:47.039 We can be patient. 00:35:48.199 --> 00:35:50.079 The season of Advent is about waiting. 00:35:51.299 --> 00:35:53.500 Waiting as we long for Jesus to return. 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:55.799 Our hope does not hang on a thread. 00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:58.319 Why have we seen so much violence 00:35:58.319 --> 00:35:59.299 in our country recently? 00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:01.639 Partially because there are people 00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:03.500 who have placed their ultimate hope 00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:05.139 on political leaders 00:36:05.139 --> 00:36:06.179 and political movements. 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:09.460 We can have peace and patience instead. 00:36:10.319 --> 00:36:12.199 Those things are important. 00:36:12.779 --> 00:36:13.980 They're not our ultimate hope. 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:16.219 Our longing for justice 00:36:16.219 --> 00:36:19.400 does not rise or fall on any election. 00:36:22.920 --> 00:36:24.400 And so we rejoice. 00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:27.759 We rejoice because Jesus is coming 00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:29.600 to make all things right 00:36:29.600 --> 00:36:32.620 so we don't have to. 00:36:35.120 --> 00:36:38.160 We rejoice because he is a humble king 00:36:38.160 --> 00:36:41.180 and he is a peaceful king. 00:36:42.560 --> 00:36:44.000 He gives us a better 00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:45.800 and more sure hope 00:36:45.800 --> 00:36:47.260 than any of the other narratives. 00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:49.500 He gives us a better story 00:36:49.500 --> 00:36:52.040 than the other stories in this world. 00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:58.940 Of course, we also see how he does that 00:36:58.940 --> 00:37:00.539 in verse 9. 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:02.820 I've mentioned that he was righteous 00:37:02.820 --> 00:37:04.259 and that he's coming mounted on a donkey. 00:37:04.380 --> 00:37:07.079 We also see that he has salvation. 00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:10.019 If Jesus is going to bring justice, 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:12.119 that means justice for us as well. 00:37:12.119 --> 00:37:16.739 And justice for us means judgment. 00:37:18.139 --> 00:37:20.759 Except that Jesus takes our place. 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:22.460 Part of him being a humble king 00:37:22.460 --> 00:37:25.019 is not that he just suffered in general as a human, 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:26.579 but he suffered specifically 00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:28.579 when he died on the cross 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:30.039 after living a perfect life, 00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:31.639 taking God's punishment 00:37:31.639 --> 00:37:32.980 that was meant for us 00:37:32.980 --> 00:37:35.880 so that we could be part of his peaceful kingdom. 00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:40.360 He is a humble king ultimately 00:37:40.360 --> 00:37:42.820 because of his death. 00:37:43.680 --> 00:37:46.300 And that is the death by which he brings peace. 00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:48.579 He brings peace between us and God, 00:37:48.720 --> 00:37:49.940 reconciling us to him. 00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:53.099 And so he can bring peace to a world 00:37:53.099 --> 00:37:56.140 that includes us rather than excludes us. 00:37:56.840 --> 00:37:58.680 That is the hope of the gospel. 00:37:58.820 --> 00:38:01.700 It's the hope that's offered to anyone and everyone 00:38:01.700 --> 00:38:03.720 who repents of their sins 00:38:03.719 --> 00:38:07.179 and has faith and trust in Jesus Christ. 00:38:08.459 --> 00:38:09.939 And so it's a humble king 00:38:09.939 --> 00:38:12.480 who dies for his people. 00:38:13.879 --> 00:38:15.959 And it's the death of that king 00:38:15.959 --> 00:38:18.539 that actually brings about peace. 00:38:23.799 --> 00:38:25.819 There's a man who's still alive 00:38:25.819 --> 00:38:27.879 whose name is Joe Stoll. 00:38:28.439 --> 00:38:29.919 And at one point he was the president 00:38:29.919 --> 00:38:31.199 of Moody Bible Institute. 00:38:31.199 --> 00:38:34.239 And Joe had a friend named Bud Wood. 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:36.759 And Bud was famous for having founded 00:38:36.759 --> 00:38:39.119 what's called the Shepherd's Home in Wisconsin. 00:38:39.359 --> 00:38:40.639 This was in the 1960s. 00:38:40.659 --> 00:38:42.779 And this was a home for children 00:38:42.779 --> 00:38:44.339 who had developmental disabilities. 00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:46.599 And they were friends, Joe and Bud. 00:38:46.679 --> 00:38:48.579 And so at one point Joe asked Bud, 00:38:49.139 --> 00:38:50.739 what is the greatest problem 00:38:50.739 --> 00:38:52.460 that you have at the Shepherd's Home? 00:38:53.699 --> 00:38:56.199 Now given the children that they were dealing with, 00:38:56.259 --> 00:38:58.519 he expected probably some sort of answer 00:38:58.519 --> 00:38:59.619 maybe about behavior, 00:38:59.619 --> 00:39:01.099 maybe about dealing with parents. 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:04.819 But that's not the answer that Bud gave him. 00:39:04.900 --> 00:39:05.539 Instead Bud said, 00:39:05.639 --> 00:39:08.619 our greatest problem is dirty windows. 00:39:11.079 --> 00:39:12.299 Joe was confused by this, 00:39:12.339 --> 00:39:13.019 so he asked him, 00:39:13.719 --> 00:39:14.759 what do you mean? 00:39:14.839 --> 00:39:16.460 Why is it that your greatest problem 00:39:16.460 --> 00:39:18.699 is dirty windows? 00:39:18.779 --> 00:39:19.339 He said, well, 00:39:19.900 --> 00:39:21.099 the reason we have dirty windows 00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:22.519 is a couple weeks ago 00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:24.500 we taught the kids at our home 00:39:24.500 --> 00:39:25.819 about Jesus' second coming. 00:39:25.820 --> 00:39:29.559 And we told them that he's coming back to this world 00:39:29.559 --> 00:39:30.620 and he's going to be with them. 00:39:31.780 --> 00:39:33.000 And so now, 00:39:33.380 --> 00:39:35.580 they are running out during the day, 00:39:35.800 --> 00:39:38.220 pressing their noses up to the glass, 00:39:38.960 --> 00:39:39.880 looking to see 00:39:39.880 --> 00:39:41.640 if this is the day 00:39:41.640 --> 00:39:44.380 that Jesus is finally going to come back. 00:39:47.280 --> 00:39:48.880 Brothers and sisters, 00:39:48.880 --> 00:39:50.059 we can rejoice 00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:52.300 in Jesus' first coming 00:39:52.300 --> 00:39:53.400 because he's a king 00:39:53.400 --> 00:39:54.980 who is with us. 00:39:56.620 --> 00:39:58.700 And we can press our noses 00:39:58.700 --> 00:39:59.660 up to the glass, 00:39:59.840 --> 00:40:01.360 rejoicing and longing 00:40:01.360 --> 00:40:02.519 and looking forward 00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:03.920 to his second coming 00:40:03.920 --> 00:40:06.039 because he will return 00:40:06.039 --> 00:40:07.460 and bring peace 00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:08.720 to this earth. 00:40:10.700 --> 00:40:11.860 Please pray with me. 00:40:14.080 --> 00:40:15.260 Our Father in heaven, 00:40:15.380 --> 00:40:16.380 we thank you 00:40:16.380 --> 00:40:18.720 for this word from Zechariah 00:40:18.720 --> 00:40:19.340 that tells us 00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:20.700 that you are a good 00:40:20.699 --> 00:40:21.939 and faithful king. 00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:23.319 We ask that you would use 00:40:23.319 --> 00:40:24.739 these words 00:40:24.739 --> 00:40:26.460 to stir up our hearts 00:40:26.460 --> 00:40:27.259 that this season 00:40:27.259 --> 00:40:29.119 would not wash over us, 00:40:29.819 --> 00:40:31.419 but it would find us rejoicing 00:40:31.419 --> 00:40:32.159 in you 00:40:32.159 --> 00:40:33.179 in your first coming 00:40:33.179 --> 00:40:34.779 and longing 00:40:34.779 --> 00:40:36.039 for your second coming. 00:40:36.879 --> 00:40:37.500 We thank you 00:40:37.500 --> 00:40:38.659 that you have given us 00:40:38.659 --> 00:40:39.399 these things 00:40:39.399 --> 00:40:40.579 by your son, 00:40:40.659 --> 00:40:41.339 our humble king, 00:40:41.419 --> 00:40:42.419 and so we don't earn them, 00:40:42.500 --> 00:40:43.539 but instead we ask for them 00:40:43.539 --> 00:40:44.099 with confidence 00:40:44.099 --> 00:40:45.480 in Jesus' name. 00:40:46.059 --> 00:40:46.319 Amen.