The King Who Paid My Debt | Matthew 21:1-11

Title: The King Who Paid My Debt
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00:09 What Does God Want to Do In Your Life Because of the Story of the Cross?
02:06 The Triumphal Entry
03:31 Opening Prayer
04:18 Jesus Did Not Shy Away From This Moment
08:05 Imagine Being the Owner of the Donkey
08:42 Do We Give Jesus The Little Things?
11:29 Rejoice Greatly Because of the Cross
12:27 Your Humble King Will Bring Peace
15:50 Imagine Being a Disciple
18:18 What Does Hosanna Mean?
20:48 Excitement for Jesus Must Lead to Commitment for Jesus
22:05 The Humble King Pays Your Debt
23:58 What is the Debt that We Owed?
29:49 God Removes Our Shame
31:40 God Removes the Record of Our Debt
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Matthew 21:1–11
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (ESV)
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This Palm Sunday message centers on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, not as a conquering warlord but as a humble King riding a donkey. Jed Gillis draws out how Jesus intentionally fulfilled prophecy from Zechariah 9, orchestrating the moment to reveal both his identity and his mission. Rather than avoid public attention, Jesus embraced it for the purpose of beginning His journey to the cross. The crowd cried out “Hosanna,” calling for salvation, though many would soon turn against Him. Yet even then, Jesus was riding not to take a throne but to take our place.
Gillis highlights how Jesus' request for the donkey shows He desires the ordinary from us: our weaknesses, not just our strengths. The message presses into the idea that our King does not need fanfare. He needs faithfulness. 
Ultimately, this King paid a debt we could never repay. Drawing from Colossians 2, the sermon shows how Jesus canceled the record of debt, not just our guilt but our shame. Our dishonor before a holy God has been completely covered by the infinite worth of Christ. This is not just about theology; it is about identity. If you're in Christ, there is no record left. The same King who rode humbly into the city rode purposefully to the cross, and He did it for you.
This message calls you to rejoice. Not because the week ahead is easy, but because your King has come, your debt is paid, and your shame is gone.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.