A Kingdom Waiting for A King! Jesus arrived in Jerusalem just as all the people were preparing to celebrate the Jewish Passover feast. By riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus brazenly fulfilled a bunch of ancient Jewish prophecies about the coming kingdom of God. The word “kingdom” was a loaded term for the Jews. A Raw Deal With The Romans… Withdraw and Wait? Compromise and Collaborate? Revolution and Revenge? Jesus shows up proclaiming God’s Kingdom had already arrived! God’s Kingdom Is At The Heart of Jesus’ Message. “Repent, the kingdom of God is at hand!” Matthew 4v17 “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” Matthew 6v10 “Seek first God’s kingdom.” Matthew 6v11 God’s kingdom is God’s REDEMPTIVE RULE over His creation. God’s Kingdom Is Unconventional. See Mark 1v14,15, Matthew 11v2,3 God’s kingdom will not be ushered in by human effort or conquest, but it comes in God’s way through God’s timing. God’s Kingdom Opens God’s Blessings to All People. Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Matthew 11v4-6 Our mission as the church is to help people through the doors into God’s kingdom! God’s Kingdom Has Arrived Through Jesus. See: Matthew 11v7-12 Israel’s lack of response to Jesus’ call to peace resulted in their destruction. They murdered Jesus to silence his message, but that very action made God’s Kingdom a reality. Palm Sunday is a good time to reflect on how we, as a church, are living under God’s rule and reign.