When the President of the United States travels, he travels in style. Recently our seventh and eighth graders got to see the presidential motorcade when they were in our nation's capitol. I did some research on the Presidential motorcade. It is quite impressive. The black limousine that carries the President of the United States is completely bullet proof and bomb proof. The vehicle is loaded with gun ports, communication systems, and a state of the art entertainment system for the President. This vehicle was designed just for our President, the most powerful ruler in the world.

Compare that to how Jesus traveled on Palm Sunday. He rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey. There was no heavy armor. There was no secret service. There was no ambulance trailing staffed with doctors. Riding on a simple donkey, the almighty ruler of the universe came into Jerusalem that day.

Holy Week begins today, Palm Sunday. Later this week we will hear about Jesus in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday. We will listen to the account of the Savior laying down his life on the cross of Calvary on Good Friday. We will praise the risen Christ at the empty tomb on Easter Sunday. But today, Palm Sunday, we hear that the king of Kings went into Jerusalem for Holy Week riding on a donkey. Riding on that donkey, Jesus proved that he was the Messiah. He showed his humility. He received the people's praise.

I. Jesus proved that he was Messiah.

Jesus and the disciples were making the 17 miles trip from Jericho to Jerusalem. They knew that they were getting close to destination when they came upon the small villages of Bethphage and Bethany. With a clear command, Jesus told his disciples to go into one of those towns in order to fetch him a donkey. He told right where to go and even told them what to say if someone tried to stop them. The disciple went and found the donkey just as their master said. Everyone happened as Jesus predicted. After all, Jesus knows all things.

Jesus even knew what was in store for him in Jerusalem. In spite of this, Jesus set in motion the final act of his Father's saving will. The Savior was determined to carry out his mission as the Messiah. So he rode that young donkey into the city of Jerusalem.

By riding this donkey, Jesus declared to anyone who knew the Scriptures that he was the Messiah, the one God promised, the one who would save all mankind. For if the people knew their Bible, they would have remembered what the prophet Zechariah had written in our first lesson for this morning, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Jesus fulfilled the ancient prophecy riding on a donkey. Christ deliberately declared himself to be Israel's true king. And yet this was not the first Messianic prophecy that Jesus fulfilled, nor would it be the last. From being born in Bethlehem to riding on the donkey to dying on a cursed tree to rising from the grave - every prophecy was fulfilled. Jesus proved that he was the Messiah.

When President Bush was inaugurated, the procession down Pennsylvania Avenue brought thousands of people out to the street. They cheered as the black limousine drove by. They waved their American flags as a military band played patriotic songs. All this was for a man who is ruling one country for no more than eight years.

On Palm Sunday, the people who were in Jerusalem for the Passover Festival lined the street as Jesus entered the city. They cheered and they sang. They placed their clothing and palm branches on the road so that the donkey would not have to walk in the dust of the city. They did all of this because they believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the ruler of heaven and earth for all eternity.

II. Jesus showed his humility.

Jesus, the true Messiah, is greater than all. Yet the king of Kings came into Jerusalem that day riding on a donkey, a lowly animal. He did not arrive like a powerful Roman general or even as an American president would. He showed his humility.

That simple animal had never been ridden before, but it calmly proceeded down the road amid the crowds. There was no flashy saddle, just the coats of the faithful disciples laid over the animal's back. When compared to the limousine of the president, this was very modest transportation.

Jesus came uniquely into Jerusalem, different from others. He did not seek to glorify himself. He came to carry out his mission. You see, the true Messiah did not come into the world to set up an earthly kingdom. He could have. He could have come with legions of angels, and set up an absolute monarchy. As king on this earth, Jesus could have purged the world of disease, given food to everyone, and established national security that would have been impenetrable.

But Jesus did not come to glory an earthly kingdom. Instead Jesus showed his humility. This is the same humility that led Jesus to become a human being like us. This was the humility that led Jesus stand silently before his accusers and endure the suffering and punishment for all our sins. He willingly bowed to the Father's will because Jesus' battle was not an earthly battle, but rather it was a spiritual battle.

We all have sinned against God. Because of our sins, we were condemned for all eternity. We were objects of God's wrath, waiting to be crushed by the terrors of hell for our wickedness. We could not remove our sins from our record. We could not work off our punishment in any way. We were doomed to a complete separation from God's love.

But according to the will of God, Jesus came in true humility to lay down his perfect life for us. In our place, he took on sin, death and devil and won the most amazing victory with his death on the cross. Our sin was taken care of. Our punishment was paid. Jesus had won the spiritual battle. And so riding on donkey, Jesus showed his humility, humility that led to our salvation.

III. Jesus received the praise of the people.

And yet, in spite of this humble entrance, the people lined the street and praised the Savior. They sang the words of Psalm 118, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of David! Hosanna in the highest!"

Those people still recognized the humble Jesus as the true Messiah. They believed the prophecies. They believed Jesus' words. And so they came out to see Jesus. And they didn't just come out catch a glimpse of him riding by on the donkey; they honored Jesus with their actions. They spread their coats and palm branches on the road, giving glory to the Messiah. That wasn't all either. They lifted their voices in song, praising Jesus. Riding on that donkey, Jesus received the peoples' praise.

Today we are blessed to know the rest of the story. We know that Christ suffered and died for all mankind. We know that he buried in the tomb. Most importantly, we know that Jesus Christ, the true Messiah, rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. He lives and reigns as the Savior of the world.

Jesus did all of this for you. May he now receive your praise. Take your cue from the people on Palm Sunday. Show up like they did. Come to God's house this week to see the Messiah.

And like those people who laid down their coats and palm branches, honor the king of Kings with your actions. I pray that Jesus remains the King in your heart forever. Give him the respect and glory that he deserves.

Then lift up your voices to praise the Messiah. Sing the festival hymns this week with conviction and passion. Proclaim your hosannas all week long in your workplace, in your home, at school. Invite others to come see the Messiah.

Jesus came riding on donkey, not in a fancy black stretch limousine. He did this so that he could prove that he is the Messiah, to show his humility for us, and to receive the peoples' praises. Let us now offer our praises the King of Kings! AMEN.