The King Of Glory

Psalm 24

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday, the day when the Church remembers the triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem.  Psalm 24 also speaks of the Lord as the King of Glory, entering into the gates of the city. Let’s take a look at this psalm as we also reflect on the events of Palm Sunday.

Psalm 24 was written by King David, possibly in honor of when the Ark of the Covenant was moved from the house of Obed-Edom into the city of Jerusalem (II Samuel 6:10-12).  The Ark had been captured by the Philistines years earlier. Then, after many years, the Ark was returned, making a stop at the home of a man named Obed-Edom for awhile before moving on to Jerusalem. As the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God’s presence with His people, came into David’s capital city, he wrote verses of praise to the Lord, particularly verses 7 - 10 of our passage. He pictured even the gates and doors along the city walls opening in praise and honor to God as the Ark returned.

While the Ark was gone, being held captive by their enemies, the Philistines, it might have seemed to the people that Yahweh had lost His power, and that the gods of their enemies now had control in the world.  David proclaimed in verses 1 - 2 that Yahweh was the creator of the earth and all that is in it, and had never lost His power.  He will never relinquish His sovereignty over the earth to anyone.  God is in control. He is on the throne, and all creation belongs to Him.

Many hundreds of years later, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, whom David, the prophets, and godly believers had looked forward to, had come. Jesus had spent the previous three years teaching and instructing His disciples, and preaching the message of the Kingdom of God to the people. Many people accepted His teachings, but He also made many enemies, particularly among the Pharisees and other religious leaders.  Now, five days before He would be captured and executed, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem upon a donkey (Matthew 21:1-11). Crowds gathered, many singing His praises and waving palm branches. Others, particularly the Pharisees, were in angry, sullen silence.

Why were the people praising Jesus?  Many in the crowd were expecting a military leader as their Messiah.  They wanted someone who would overthrow the Romans, kick them out of the country, and bring a great king like David and Solomon of the past.  This Jesus seemed like a good one to overthrow the Romans. Others might have just been joining others in the crowd. They might not really have known who Jesus was, but joined in the parade to have a good time.  Then there were those who had truly followed Him, accepting His message, believing He was God’s Son, who came to save them from their sins.

That ride into Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday must have been a bittersweet one as Jesus knew the hearts of these people. The one group’s praise was true, as they knew and believed that Jesus was the true King of Glory.  The other’s praise was hollow and false. Within a few short days they would be standing in the public square shouting out to Pontius Pilate that Jesus should be crucified (Matthew 27:17-25).  The very people whom He came to save would reject and kill Him (John 1:11). The Philistines had returned the Ark of the Covenant relatively unharmed, but the people who were praising Jesus one day would kill Him, the Son of God and their Messiah.

Today there are many people who think Jesus is a “good guy”, a great philosopher or teacher.  They are ready and willing to give Him some praise or accolades when in some crowds, but when in another crowd they quickly deny Him.  They are embarrassed to appear religious or one who believes the Bible. They are just like those that Palm Sunday - praise Him one day, scream for Him to be put to death the next.  Which group do you belong in? Those whose praise is false and hollow, or those who truly acclaim Jesus the King of Glory?