51 21.01

INTRODUCTION

SLIDE 1 Nearly everyone loves a parade. Each year across our nation there are thousands of parades. There are the big parades like the SLIDE 2 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City and The Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. SLIDE 3 There are midsized parades like the Pegasus Parade that takes place in Louisville, Kentucky before the Kentucky Derby. SLIDE 4 And there are smaller parades that are celebrated all around rural America like the Elizabethton Christmas parade. SLIDE 5

There are almost as many reasons to have a parade as there are parades. Some parades and festivals are to celebrate a special holiday while others are to push forth some type of social or political agenda. Most of the time we call those type of parades by another name – “a march.” SLIDE 6 There are those parades that remind us of our history like those that take place around the 4th of July and there are those parades that are dedicated to remembering the sacrifice made by those in our military like those that take place around Memorial Day or Veteran's Day. SLIDE 7 And finally, there are those parades that remind us that we are to continue the fight against terminal diseases like the Relay for Life festivals and parades. SLIDE 8

Each parade of course is different and each have their own individual flavor. SLIDE 9 For example, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade features these hot air balloons while the Pegasus Parade SLIDE 10 focuses on horses and their history. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade SLIDE 11 showcases some of the best High School and College Marching Bands in our country while the Mardi Gras Parades in New Orleans SLIDE 12 showcases interesting looking floats and costumes. I’ve read there’s even a parade in St. Louis dedicated solely for pets. SLIDE 13 It is called the Beggin Pet Parade. Its purpose is to allow people to showcase their pets and also to raise money for needed animal care facilities and sanctuaries in the area.

Every four years, we Americans have a national parade celebrating the beginning of a new presidential term of office. SLIDE 14 After a long hard fought campaign the new or returning President gets to begin his or her new term of office with a national address and a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

The ancient people of Israel were no different than we are today. SLIDE 15 Like us, they too loved festivals and parades. Each year around Passover, thousands of Jews would come from all over the known world to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Of all the Jewish festivals, Passover was the most sacred and revered. Passover was that time of the year that the Jewish people would commemorate the time of Moses and the Exodus. It was that time of the year that they would celebrate how God rescued his people from slavery. It was that time of the year that they would celebrate how God broke into history and redeemed his people and then began leading them to the Promise Land to live out a life of progressive holiness and prosperity.

Actually, celebration of the Passover and other feasts were required. If you lived within fifty miles of Jerusalem you were expected to make your way to Jerusalem for the festival. God ordained these celebrations to remind his people of what he’d done for them. Which is exactly why we take the Lord’s Supper each week – to help us remember since we are so good at forgetting.

SERMON

Our passage this evening in from Matthew 21. It involves a particular parade that happened around the festival of Passover. It was a parade that spoke volumes about the Kingdom of Heaven and had at its focal point a certain well known rabbi from Nazareth named Jesus. We of course this morning call this parade The Triumphal Entry. And we call the day that we celebrate its anniversary as Palm Sunday. Let’s watch our video.

Video

SLIDE 1 Perhaps you’re familiar with the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien. The series, written in the 1940s, is one of the best selling novels ever written and has been made into movies several times. The third book in the trilogy it titled The Return of the King.

As we come to Matthew 21 this evening we are starting the last section of Matthew’s gospel. If it were to be titled perhaps it would be The Rejection of King. In tonight’s passage there is going to be a great celebration as Jesus enters Jerusalem, but we know this happy reception won’t last long. The tides turn quickly against Jesus and in less than a week he will be crucified.

One more item to note before we watch the video, there are twenty-eight chapters in Matthew. That means that almost a third of the book is dedicated to the last week of Jesus’ life. The same is true of the other gospels as well. Jesus lived for some thirty-three years and ministered for just over three years, and yet the main focus of the gospels is on his final week. That should tell us of it’s importance. But before the crowds turn against Jesus and celebrate his arrival to Jerusalem. What lessons do we learn from this story?

SLIDE 2 This parade reminds us that God had a premeditated plan.

Matthew, along with the other gospel writers, take great pains in sharing with us that this parade, Jesus’ Triumphal Entry in Jerusalem was not something that happened on the spur of the moment. It might seem like it was an impromptu or off the cuff spontaneous event. But we learn that even this had been predicted in the Old Testament. In fact, as you read Matthew's gospel you get the overwhelming feeling that everything around Jesus was a part of a very definitive divine plan.

Matthew seems to have chosen the stories he told very carefully. Matthew knew that in order for us to understand the mission and message of Jesus we need to know some of Jesus' history along with some of the supernatural events surrounding his birth. Then, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he gives more Old Testament references than any of the the other gospels to show how Jesus was the fulfillment of these prophecies. Matthew carefully pointed out along the way that each step in Jesus life lines up with a fulfillment of ancient Holy Scripture. He shares with us over and over again how this event or that event has already been foretold by one of the prophets of old.

Throughout his gospel, Matthew deliberately and carefully shares with us Jesus’ words as Jesus explains his mission and message. We have for example, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus shares with us what a life of progressive holiness can look like. We have a number of parables and other teachings that focus on the fact that the kingdom of God was getting ready to break in on human history. And we have story after story of how God the Father through his son Jesus breaks into our world to rescue and redeem humanity. Matthew is careful to share with us story after story of Jesus casting out demons, forgiving sin and bring healing and wholeness.

It is all a part of God’s divine plan. As was this parade. This parade didn’t happen by accident. Jesus had planned it very carefully. In chapter 20 Matthew shares that Jesus knew that this would be his final Passover. Jesus knew that in only a few days he would be laying down his life for all humanity. Matthew tells us that Jesus knew that it was time for him to proclaim both his kingship and the fact that he was Israel’s Messiah. Matthew tells us that Jesus knew that it was time for to confront and destroy the power and presence of evil for all time.

In verses 1-6 we see how Jesus had orchestrated everything. Jesus had made prior arrangements that when his disciples showed up at a certain man’s house that they would be given a special donkey and its colt. Matthew tells us that all of this was a part of a divine plan. It was a plan that had been in place since the time of Zechariah back in 520 BC. Now, some 550 years later it was all coming to pass. SLIDE 3

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)

We need to understand that everything that happened to Jesus, everything Jesus said and did was all a part of God’s plan of salvation. Nothing happened that surprised God or was not under God’s control. It was all a part of God’s plan to rescue all of us, to provide a way of redemption and to lead us through the infilling power of the Holy Spirit to be restored into the image of Jesus.

SLIDE 4 This parade reminds us that Jesus understood his Messiahship.

Biblical scholars tell us that this parade for Jesus wasn’t the only one going on that day. While Jesus and his followers were coming in from the east there was another parade coming into to the city from the west. Each year during the time of the Passover the Roman government held its own parade along the streets of Jerusalem. It was a parade that was full of pageantry and ceremony and was designed to show Rome's power and might over the Jewish people. It was a parade to remind them that Rome was in charge of everything including their very own existence.

This year, of course, the parade would be lead by Rome’s govonor, Pontius Pilate. For the previous six or seven years he had been Rome's governor in charge of the area around Judea. It was his task to make sure that there was law and order and that everyone obeyed the will of the Roman government. Rome needed peace in the Middle East for its own survival. One of the secrets about Rome was that while it was great at creating armies and governments, it was lousy with being able to grow food or produce clothing and goods. Caravans carrying grain, food supplies, and other materials from Egypt were essential. Part of Pilate’s job was to make sure that they could travel with ease and safety through the Middle East. It was his job to make sure that there were no uprisings or even thoughts of terrorism or anarchy.

The Passover was a natural for the Jews to begin thinking about becoming their own governing nation. Each year as they would celebrate Moses and remember Egypt, the plagues and the Exodus event they would hunger for a new Moses to arise to power. They would hunger for a new prophet that God would use to rescue his people from the violence and iron fist of the Roman government. And with so many Jews coming in from every corner of the earth, Passover was always a ripe time for either an uprising or two or a number of terrorists attacks against Rome.

To counteract all of this and to make sure that every Jew understood the true superpower of that area, Rome would start the Passover season off with their own parade. Riding into the city would be Pontius Pilate along with other dignitaries surrounded by a legion of some of Rome’s best Calvary and foot soldiers. Accompanying them would be a show of all of Rome’s military might and power. Each of the soldiers would make sure that their spears were held high and their swords gleamed from their sides. Added to all of that people would look up and see high above their heads sign after sign proclaiming Cesar Tiberius as both a son of the gods and a high priest of Rome. If Israel was looking for either a Messiah or a king, Rome wanted the Jews to know that they had one in the person of Cesar Tiberius.

Anyone who protested or got into Rome’s way was either quickly pushed out of the way or at times killed right there on the spot. It was all done to send a message. The message was simple – Rome was in charge. Any thought of a new nation or any new prophet leading the Jews towards becoming a free nation was foolishness at the very least and mortally dangerous at most. Every Jew knew what happened to those who opposed Rome. Their roads and hillsides were littered without crosses to remind them that Rome was in charge.

The two parades could not have been more different. The Romans were coming from the west as a symbol of man in all his glory and honor. A glory and honor that came from violence, self-centeredness and intimidation. Opposite them, Jesus was coming from the east on a donkey proclaiming a message of humility, self-sacrifice and agape love.

Matthew makes clear to us that in organizing this parade, Jesus was proclaiming his kingship and Messiahship. We hear the calls of the crowds around him calling for him to save them – Hosanna! They are calling for Jesus, who they were proclaiming to be the Son of David, to come and save them. The word “Hosanna” is not only a word of praise, but it’s also part of a prayer for salvation. They are calling for Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth, to rise up and save them. They wanted Jesus to take up the mantle of Moses and lead the people of Israel to freedom and power.

Jesus answers their prayers, but not quite as they understood. They were looking for a new Moses who would tear down the Romans and set a new Davidic kingdom. They were looking for a military leader who would supernaturally put down Pontius Pilate and who would reconcile the other areas of power in the Promise Land and rule like King David of old. They were looking for a warrior king Messiah. Instead, Matthew shares with us that while Jesus would ride into Jerusalem as a king, he would do so as one full of humility and ready to give his life as a sacrifice for his People. Jesus would be Israel's Shepherd King who would become the Passover Lamb.

Jesus would wear a crown, but it would be a crown of thorns. Jesus would wear a royal robe, but it would be a robe meant for ridicule after his body had been beaten and bruised for all our iniquities. Jesus would stretch forth his hands in power, but it would be hands that would be impaled by Roman nails. Jesus would be lifted up, but it would not be on a human throne but on the cross of Calvary.

As sure as Rome proclaimed its power, might and majesty the Lord Jesus was proclaiming his humility, his sacrifice, and his agape love for all of humanity. In the short run it looked like the violence, the arrogance and the evil of Rome won, but now, 2,000 years later, Rome is mere footnote while the Church of Jesus Christ is alive and well here on planet earth. In the short run it looked like Jesus was a mistaken and foolish rabbi, but 2,000 years later the heavens are still declaring him King of kings and Lord of lords.

Yes, Jesus was making a proclamation that day. Jesus was proclaiming his kingship and his messiahship. Jesus was coming into Jerusalem that day to do battle with the most evil of all powers in creation. While ancient Rome may have thought it was powerful and mighty, it paled in comparison with the ancient evil that resided on the earth and was gearing up to take down the Son of God. The devil was using Rome to do his bidding. The devil was using Rome to get rid of Jesus – or at least that is what the devil thought. Little did the devil know that everything was going as the Father had planned.

In his parade Jesus was announcing that he, along with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, that they had had enough. They had enough of Rome, of oppressors, of evil and sin. In his parade Jesus was announcing that God was once again breaking into history to change history. In his parade Jesus was announcing that God was once again breaking into history to forever make a way for all mankind along with all of creation to be rescued, redeemed and restored.

You could literally say that from the foundations of the world this parade had been planned. It was just one more step God was taking to rescue his creation from enslavement to sin. It was just one more step into God breaking into rescue us from the penalty and power of sin. Yes, in this parade we are reminded that Jesus understood his messiahship.

SLIDE 5 And third, this parade reminds us that God has a perfect picture for humanity and for all of creation.

In the days following this parade God’s people would do what they had done throughout their history – they would rebel against God. They rebelled against God in the wilderness, they rebelled against God’s prophets and stoned them, and now they will rebel against God’s Son and have him crucified.

Perhaps that’s what makes this parade all the more remarkable. Here, for a brief time, they worship Jesus for who he is – the Messiah and Savior.

In these verses we get only a glimpse of what will be a reality after the resurrection, but even in these verses we also see what God has for us. We see it as Jesus plans and directs his disciples and the man with the donkey obeys. It’s a picture of discipleship. And we see it as Jesus sits on the donkey as people everywhere proclaim him king and bow down before him. They surrender their cloaks and they raise their hands in praise and worship. It’s a picture of worship and celebration.

Did everyone obey Jesus? Did everyone and everything go smoothly? Of course not. Matthew tells us at first the disciples balked at the very idea of Jesus laying down his life; especially Peter. Matthew tells us that one of those closest to Jesus named Judas was the one who betrayed Jesus. And then when Jesus was arrested all the rest of disciples ran away in fear. They all either denied him or abandoned Jesus. Not one of his disciples joined Jesus on the cross. They all saved their own skins rather than stand up for Jesus.

As some have pointed out, the disciples wanted a kingdom without a cross. They wanted Jesus to proclaim his lordship and messiahship and they wanted him to do it with all the pomp and majesty as Rome was doing it in the west. But that was not the way Jesus wanted it to happen. Jesus knew that there would never be a kingdom without a cross. The only way to save mankind was for Jesus to come to earth, to become the perfect Israelite, the Messiah and then lay down his life for all of humanity.

Today, we are tempted to do a similar thing only in the opposite direction. We are tempted to have a cross without a kingdom. We are tempted to look at the victory that took place on the cross, the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit and forget how all of that should lead us to building God’s Kingdom here on earth. We forget that on the cross the Lord Jesus Christ began building God’s kingdom here on earth. On the cross Jesus made it possible for us to be rescued, redeemed, and restored. On the cross Jesus led the way for us to be born again – from above, to be filled with his Holy Spirit, and to take the fire of the Holy Spirit all over the world.

We have forgotten that the Lord wants us to build his kingdom here on earth. We hear more today about escaping this earth and going to heaven than we do in evangelizing, rescuing, and redeeming those who are still lost on earth. We hear more about us leaving the planet rather than us living out the Great Commission.

We read the book of Revelation, but we forget to read that in the midst of it all that God did not nor will he ever abandon the earth. The Lord could have abandoned it after the Garden of Eden or after the great flood, but he didn't. He could have abandoned it at the Tower of Babel, but he didn't. He could have abandoned it after Israel sinned in the wilderness, but he didn't. He could have abandoned it after the Babylonian exile, but he didn't. He could have abandoned it on the cross when his Son was dying for all of us, but he didn't.

Instead, the Lord came, lived among us and died for us. The Lord rose again and sent his Holy Spirit with fire to convict, cleanse and recreate our earth.

The question we have to ask ourselves is are we watching Jesus’ parade from a safe distance or have we accepted his invitation to be a part of it? Verse 10 tells us that all of Jerusalem was abuzz. The whole city was stirred up because of Jesus’ parade. They wanted to know who Jesus was. The world still needs to know and Jesus sends us to go tell them.