Matthew 21:1-13

Today marks the First Sunday of Advent, a season that emphasizes the meaning of “Advent,” which translates to “Coming.” This theme is particularly evident in today’s readings, including the Holy Gospel, focusing on the one who will come at Christmas. This figure not only arrives in our churches every week but will also return at the end of time. The text explores who this individual is in multiple ways.

Moreover, this day not only signifies the First Sunday of Advent but also represents the beginning of a new church year. As we embark on this new chapter, our text highlights the central figure for every season, week, and day: Christ our Lord.

That’s why today’s Gospel recounts Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. As an Advent reading, it invites us to recognize our king who arrives during this season. It also marks a significant moment in the entire church year—when Jesus enters Jerusalem to bear the world’s sins and to rise again on Easter. Thus, Advent and the church year are intrinsically linked.

The central inquiry presented in all four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—is articulated in today’s reading, where the crowd asks, “Who is this?” As our text illustrates: “And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, ‘Who is this?’”

“Who is this Jesus?” This question is of utmost importance, transcending all eras. Who is this Jesus of Nazareth? What is his origin? What has he done? What is he doing now? What will he do? What does he mean for me, for all of us, and for humanity? This inquiry is fundamental: “Who Is This Jesus?”

The text offers several potential answers: “Behold, your king is coming to you.” Another response is: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Yet another is: “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” Let’s explore these interpretations and their significance for each of us here today.

Beginning with “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee,” this description may seem straightforward. Jesus, hailing from Nazareth in Galilee, is recognized as a “prophet,” which instills him with greater significance. What does it mean to refer to Jesus as a “prophet”?

At a minimum, it signifies that the people viewed him as a man sent by God, operating with divine authority. He preached with power, calling people to repentance with the proclamation, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He interpreted God’s Word with a wisdom that surpassed typical teachers, as noted earlier in Matthew: “The crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”

Additionally, Jesus performed prophetic works, displaying divine power through miracles, healing the sick, casting out demons, calming storms, multiplying food, and even raising the dead. Clearly, he was no ordinary man—God was present with him. It was as if… God was among us in the person of Jesus. “Immanuel,” “God with us”—this question touches the core of our inquiry: Who is this man?

While the people of Jerusalem recognized him as a prophet, this may not encompass his full identity. Earlier, Jesus inquired of his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” This question asked for their insights on how he is perceived. They responded: “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” It’s understandable why they might think this; aspects of Jesus’ ministry echoed those of the great prophets. Yet, there was so much more. While “prophet” is a valid description, it falls short of completeness.
Thus, Jesus asked his disciples what they believed: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Now we are progressing!

This brings us to another answer the crowds provide regarding Jesus: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Here, the title “the Son of David” adds another dimension to our understanding of Jesus. It references the legendary king of Israel, King David, who reigned around 1000 B.C. King David received a promise that one of his descendants would reign in a way surpassing all other kings, establishing an everlasting kingdom and bestowing unmatched blessings. Thus, this concept points to the prophecy of a Messiah, a Christ, an anointed king who would come.

When the crowds hailed Jesus into Jerusalem by proclaiming “Hosanna to the Son of David!,” they were recognizing him as this promised Messiah. “Come, Jesus, take your throne! Save us from our enemies! Rule over us as king and grant us those glorious blessings!”

However, although the crowds rightly acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of David, they appeared to misunderstand the nature of his kingdom and how it would be established. If they expected a king in purely economic, military, or political terms—hoping for Jesus to expel the Romans and provide material comforts—they missed the essence of his mission.

They have the wrong king and the wrong vision of Jesus.
What kind of king do people seek today? What type of Jesus do they desire? A glorious king who will bless them with comfort, happiness, and security? A life coach? A moral teacher? A political figure—a socialist advocating for the poor or a conservative promoting traditional values? Perhaps today, if people consider Jesus at all, they might want a non-judgmental figure who approves of any lifestyle choice.

What about you? What sort of king do you wish Jesus to be? Who is Jesus to you? The kind of king desired by many may not reflect Jesus’ true nature. This misunderstanding was prevalent then and persists today. Who is this Jesus? Perhaps the answer lies in the verse from our text: “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” This illustrates how Jesus chose to come—humble and fulfilling Scripture, riding on a humble creature.

This mode of arrival is appropriate since Jesus carries a burden as he rides into Jerusalem: the weight of our sins. All the sins we’ve accumulated throughout time are what Christ shoulders. He is headed to Jerusalem to bear these sins on the cross, enduring rejection and injustice. In doing so, he fulfills God’s redemptive plan for the world and for sinners like you and me. This is how Jesus will reign as king, triumphing over sin, death, and the grave. He aims to establish a kingdom of forgiveness, life, and eternal salvation.

So, who is this Jesus? He is indeed a prophet, but he is much more than that. He is the Son of David, but not merely a glorious king. Who is this? He is the humble, Scripture-fulfilling, burden-bearing king who provides the salvation we genuinely need. He is your king today and forever. Embrace him during this Advent season and take the opportunity to delve deeper into who he is, strengthening your faith in Christ as we embark on this new church year. “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

This sermon for the First Sunday of Advent centers on the question, “Who is this Jesus?” Drawing from Matthew 21:1-13, it explores Jesus’ identity as prophet, Messiah (“Son of David”), and humble king who fulfills Scripture and bears the world’s sins. The message challenges listeners to reflect on their own expectations of Jesus, emphasizing that Christ’s true kingship is found in humility, sacrifice, and the promise of forgiveness and eternal life. The sermon encourages deeper faith and engagement with Christ as the church year begins.

21 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.

3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.