The Gospel reading for the first Sunday in Advent is one we might rather have expected for Palm Sunday. It is St. Matthew’s account of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey as the crowds strewed palm branches on the road and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” The gospel writer points out this was in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy: “See your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey.”

This Scripture was, no doubt, appointed to be read in Advent as a reminder that we celebrate the birth of a king, and not just any king, but the one prophesied from of old to sit on David’s throne. It also points us in the direction of the cross at the time we begin to approach the manger.

By the end of the same week in which He made His “Triumphal Entry,” Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate. Among the charges brought against Him was this: that He claimed to be Christ, a king.

The religious rulers in Jerusalem knew such a thing would resonate in the hearing of the governor. It was a charge of treason. Pilate could not afford to have a rebellious uprising on his hands. And, in fact, Pilate seems to have taken special notice of the allegation, because all four gospels record him asking Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

When Jesus responds that His kingdom is not of this world, Pilate answers, “You are a king, then!” Jesus answers back, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born . . .”

This is a profound statement, especially as we consider it in light of Jesus’ suffering death upon the cross within a few hours.

The crucifixion appeared to be a cruel defeat—a promising ministry ending in failure, an unlikely end for one born to be king.

The enemies of Jesus mocked Him: If you really are the Messiah (“anointed one”), save yourself. In other words, Prove your kingship, Jesus, by coming down from the cross! But the disciples were likely thinking the same thing. Jesus, you calmed the storm and raised people from the dead. Surely, you could do something about this hopeless situation! What are you doing there on the cross? This doesn’t fit with what we had believed you would do for us.

Later two disciples on the road to Emmaus, voiced their bitter disappointment about the crucified Jesus: “We had hoped this was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” (Luke 24:21) The implication: clearly, we were wrong.

Crucifixion and death did not fit into their thinking about redemption and kingship. But then nearly everything about Jesus was at odds with expectations of what the Messiah and the Kingdom of God was about.

What are you doing there? It is not only a question to be asked at the cross. One might also ask: What are you doing in a manger? What are you doing coming from a no-name town like Nazareth? What are you doing living in poverty with no place to lay your head? What are you doing calling fishermen as disciples? What are you doing touching lepers and eating with tax collectors and sinners? What on earth (literally) are you doing, Jesus?

But from the manger to the cross, Jesus was doing precisely what he had been born do. He was restoring the Kingdom that had been lost. He was waging war against the deadly enemies of His people. He was bringing redemption to Israel, indeed, to the whole world, by warring against sin and death, those enemies of all humanity–every man, woman and child born on this earth.

He did this by becoming one of us, by subjecting Himself to the lowest level of human experience—weakness, poverty, sorrow, helplessness—death itself—and redeeming it all in humility for the glory of God and His eternal Kingdom.

So, as we come to the manger and start again our liturgical journey through the life of Christ, may we not forget the origin of our humble King.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
Amen.