The Victorious Christ

The Victorious Christ
John 12:12-19
March 24, 2024

When a country wins a war, it often recognizes it’s victory by constructing a grand memorial:

• The Victory Monument was erected in Bangkok, Thailand in 1941 to commemorate the Thai victory in the Franco-Thai War.
• The Buon Ma Thuot Victory Monument in Vietnam commemorates the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, when Vietnamese forces achieved a decisive victory over the South Vietnamese government and American forces bringing about a reunification of Vietnam.
• The American Victory Monument in Yorktown, VA commemorates the 1781 victory at Yorktown and the alliance with France that brought about the end of the American Revolution and peace with England after the American Revolutionary War.
• The Moscow Gate is on the city’s southside and was built in the 1830s in memory of Russia’s victory in the 1828-29 War with Turkey.
• Of course you are aware of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris which was begun by Napoleon in 1806; it is one of four such arches in Paris.
• The Arc de Triomphe was built in the style of the Roman triumphal arch, which is a free-standing monumental structure in the shape of an archway that often spans a road, and usually stands alone, unconnected to other buildings. The main structure is often decorated with carvings, sculpted reliefs, and dedications. The Roman triumphal arch was used to commemorate victorious generals or significant public events such as the founding of new colonies, the construction of a road or bridge, the death of a member of the imperial family or the accession of a new emperor. The oldest surviving Roman arch is in Orange, France, built by Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD) — yes, that Caesar Augustus.

In lieu of building monuments, we also have parades and victory marches to commemorate various triumphs (like for World Series teams).  It was just such a march that was in view nearly 2000 years ago when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on what has become known as Palm Sunday to the accolades of Jerusalem.  While those people clamored for Jesus that day, they obviously didn’t understand Him because they were probably part of the crowd shouting for His crucifixion five days later.  If they had listened, they would have learned an important truth about Christ in John’s account (12:12-19) of His triumphal entry —

Jesus Christ is the victorious King of all men and things.

Observe three aspects of Christ’s declaration and arrival in Jerusalem as the Messianic King…

1. Jesus Came in Victory — Proclaim Him (vv. 12-13)
2. Jesus Came in Peace — Do Not be Afraid (vv. 14-15)
3. Jesus Came without Acceptance – Understand the Times (vv. 16-19)

Download the rest of this sermon on John 12:12-19.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.