April 2nd 2023 - Palm Sunday - The King, he people and the Donkey

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Good morning GracePointe. It is always a joy to gather together in worship as we sing, pray, read God’s word, and dive into what He is asking of us through the Spirit and through His word. Thank you Paul and the worship team for leading us today. I love worshiping together with you church family. Thank you for being willing to worship together.

Intro:

It will not surprise any of you that I got started in music early. I was singing with my mom in the church choir at a really young age. My mom taught me harmonies in the car listening to 70’s rock and roll which is some of the best rock and roll in my opinion. But the moment that changed the trajectory for me when I was 8 or 9 years old. I tried out for a Christmas musical and got the part of the donkey salesman.

This wildly fanciful musical told the nativity through the eyes of the donkey salesman who sold the donkey to Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem. I don’t anticipate that the writing or my performance was award winning by any means.

But I can remember being on that extremely small elementary school multipurpose gym/stage In front of at least 50 people. Singing and making people laugh…and something in my mind clicked. This changed everything because i found something for which I was designed to do.

After the performance, a gentleman came up who was the director of a boys choir. He asked my mom and dad if I would be interested as he felt that he could help me to develop my voice and hone my skills. Trajectory completely changed.

It is not lost on me that I accepted Christ a year later. A year later as I understood now what it mean to belong. To feel community and to understand that Jesus was the one inviting me to belong. Everything changed....after I was the donkey salesman.

So I feel uniquely qualified to talk a bit more about donkeys today as we look at Jesus entering Jerusalem. Jesus descends from the Mount of Olives towards Jerusalem, and the crowds lay their cloaks and branches on the ground to welcome him as he triumphantly enters Jerusalem on a donkey. We will be in Matthew 21 but all the gospels reference this event just 5 days before his death on the cross.

It is a big event. A big moment. A moment in which we see 3 different vantage points of a remarkable entrance.

We see the image of humility and peace in the donkey. We see the desperate need of the people as they long for freedom. And we see the one who can humbly provide for every need in the one and only King, Jesus Christ. It is through the humility shown here today that Christ the King displays His rule and His way of His Kingdom. The way of redemption and grace for all that would trust the King of Kings. Let us read Matthew 21:1-6

Matthew 21:1–6 NIV

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.

The Donkey

I have often read this section of the gospels and thought....why are we including this asset acquisition in the scriptures? It feels like a behind the scenes look into how things get done between Jesus and his disciples. How about a food order? Disciples…go get me some treats.

But deeper in, we see context here that is important to our view of how God is faithful to His word.

Through out the bible, the picture of power and might and strength was the horse. Victorious conquerors of that era would parade on horses, much as a modern general might ride into a city on the back of a tank. It was a show and celebration of force. We have seen in Judges how horses can impose fear as they tip the scales in battle....

But Donkeys have their place in the bible as well. A common form of transportation for all, the donkey is mentioned as not to be coveted in the 10 commandments. Job and Abraham’s wealth are spelled out using among other things....the amount of donkeys they had.

Just recently, we see Samson using the long since gone jawbone of a donkey to take out some enemies.

In Numbers 22, God made a donkey speak so as to teach a valuable lesson to the donkey’s owner.

If Kings heading to and from war rode horses, it was generally known that kings rode donkeys as a sign of peace. It was a sign of peace.

More than that, Jesus riding the donkey would have reminded the people of Solomon riding a donkey on the day he was recognized as the new king of Israel in 1 Kings 1:33. He specifically rode his fathers donkey to show that he was the rightful heir to the throne of Israel.

We see other moments where a donkey is in a scene where the theme of sacrifice and redemption is there. Abraham set out with a donkey to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, and god would spare Isaac by producing a sufficient sacrifice.

More so than that, Jesus riding the donkey highlighted and reminded the people of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 NIV

9 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.

Jesus riding that donkey revealed to all very publically that Jesus was going to be that Messiah. Righteous and victorious but also lowly. The humility of riding on a donkey showcased who Christ came for....the poor....the oppressed. Not the healthy but the sick. This is a mark of humility!

It is this humility that is a mark of the Kingdom. A kingdom that Jesus Christ is the king of. Through out scripture we see humility as something we are to choose in light of who God is. In light of Christ the king, are we able to see ourselves for who we truly are. Christ is king and we are not.... Humility is the bedrock of a faith in Christ that changes everything.

We also see incredibly powerful God is through Christ. He knows where all the donkeys are. He knows how to get them. He gave instructions to his disciples that I am sure brought up questions. Are we going to get in trouble? What about our safety? Is this a legal loophole?

In the gospel of Mark and Luke....the account of the story actually reveals that someone did ask about the donkey and colt that the disciples were “borrowing.” It went just as Jesus said it would go. It went just as Jesus said it would. This whole situation was foretold long ago and Jesus knows. Jesus Knows

In the donkey, we find assurance. Assurance that Jesus knows where the donkeys are....knows how it will go and walks with us through it all. Today you have burdens and issues and you wonder if Jesus knows..if God cares. He does...The comfort and peace that comes with that truth is incredible and truly changes everything.

The People -

The text than goes on in verse 9.

Matthew 21:9–10 NIV

9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

The people, the crowds gathered...somewhere between 800,000 to over a million people in and around the city of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem was the place to be — kind of like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. This was passover!

Passover in Jerusalem occurred each year in early spring and was the main Jewish holiday, celebrating the time in the Exodus when God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Passover meal was eaten in remembrance of the Lord “passing over” the houses of those who had sacrificed a lamb and sprinkled its blood on their wooden doorposts and mantles, while the angel of death visited those who had not sprinkled the blood of the lamb.

The road to Jerusalem was known well by all Jewish people including Jesus. As most jewish families made the trek once a year for passover including Jesus and his family. One scholar painted the picture of remembrance even as you traveled the road and came upon the city...

“It was especially breathtaking, when, after not seeing the city for the whole journey, you came around that mountain, and there it was! You would see the temple glistening in the afternoon sunlight, and you’d see the magnificent, towering gates; you’d remember the great history of it all” Milton J. LeBlanc, Sr.

The people have gathered to remember the great history of it all....to remember that God had delivered them. He brought salvation from slavery, from death.

But as the people look around, they have a new slave master. Rome. They are now the ones dominating the Jewish people. This resulted to having to be subject to any whim of the roman rulers and any kings they put in to rule over the people. The paganism and ruthlessness of Rome was a heavy burden on the people.

As Jesus rides in on his donkey, the crowds shout “Hosanna”. Across the greek and hebrew languages, it means Save us. It is a prayer a plea for help and a declaration of the need for salvation and freedom. Give us favor. The people were using this phrase in the same way as the Psalmist did in 118.

Psalm 118:25 NIV

25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!

Often we look at this word hosanna as a happy word of praise but in its definition is a desperation. Hosanna combines adoration, praise, and a desperate plea. The expression means “Oh, save us!” or “Praise to the Savior!” In the phrase hosanna is the plea and the answer for the plea.

The people are crying out to Jesus... You are the one who can save us. You are the one who can deliver us. You are the one who is mighty to save…cause we need saving! .... from Rome.

They want to be saved from the oppressors. Other gospels describe the people laying down palm branches on the road along with their cloaks.

It was an ancient custom seen in 2 Kings 9:13 for citizens to throw their garments in the road for their monarch to ride over, symbolizing their respect and their submission to his authority

The palm branches as we see in Mark 11:8

Mark 11:8 NIV

8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.

The branches, the palm branches reflected a deep a nationalistic moment. 150 years earlier, Judas Maccabee led an Israeli victory over the Syrian occupation of Jerusalem. Judas, called “The Hammer,” stamped the image of palm branches into coins to commemorate the victory. The words on the coin translated were the redemption of Zion.

As Jesus enters the city, the people are caught up in the fervor to once again see a triumphant victory over their enemies, the romans. Save us from Rome. You, the son of David, the one who can, like the Hammer, begin the revolution....Save us.

You can picture the excitement in the city. Jesus has been gaining a reputation and as he entered the city, the text says that the whole city was stirred. The word their for stirred is where we get our word, seismic.

The foundations of the city are buckling with excitement as the one who could be the King to deliver us is here. Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion for you are to be redeemed! The prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 was written roughly 500 years prior to Jesus entering the city. 500 years of the people waiting for someone to come and save them.

The people were desperate to be saved from Rome. Right then. Save us Now! Save our nation!

Thus a question was forming for the people…who is this? The people gathered and there was murmering among them. Who is this? I have heard he heals people. Someone said he claimed to to forgive sin. Someone said he will overthrow Rome before the end of the week. Who is this?

The crowds answer with all that they know.....Matthew 21:11

Matthew 21:11 NIV

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Here we can identify that as the messiah, the crowds were seeing him more than just a good teacher, a good rabbi. He was a prophet like Moses. He was a King in the line of David. He will be in a few days our great high priest....this man from Nazareth. He was fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 11:1 as the branch that will bear fruit.

Nazareth means “place of the Branch”. Jesus is foretold else where in Zechariah 3:8 as the Branch, God’s servant. The one who can fulfill all things and bridge between God and man.

This is the triumphant entry of the Prophet and King....His name is Jesus Christ.

The King

As Jesus rides into Jerusalem, he is solidifying his identity as the messiah. The people gather desperate for a savior to rid them of the cruel slave masters, the romans.

He rides on a donkey to denote humility but also his kingship. Pilgrims were expected to walk into the city…royalty rode into the gates. Jesus is the promised King!

The way he obtains the donkey, his knowing shows his control of all things.

This all points to the sovereignty of Christ. The King knows what is needed. He also knows why he is going to Jerusalem.

The King knows what we need to be saved from. He knows what truly needs saving.

The Jewish people are crying to God to save their nation but God knows that they need to be saved from their sin. From their superficial, hypocritical religion.

The King Saves us from our Sin

Jesus in the Matthew account goes into Jerusalem in a mighty parade. What will his first act be?FAgainst the romans…no.

In Matthew 21:12

Matthew 21:12 NIV

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.

The temple that Jesus entered was the central place for worship in the Jewish faith. It was intended to be God’s earthly dwelling place. No place was more sacred. And yet it had become a place of corruption and exploitation.

Doves were used as a substitute for those who could not afford a prescribed bull, goat or lamb. Everything was done in favor of those in power, the Sadducees. The money changers greedily created a formidable racket that made it expensive to worship. It was for profit commercial worship. This wasn’t a blessing to the nations. This was a robbers den, not the house of prayer for all the people.

His first order of business is to reveal the sin of the Jewish people. They wanted him to take down Rome. But he knew that the true danger was sin. The same sin cycle that took down the judges is at work here. Jesus is revealing that Rome is not your problem.

Sin is your problem. and I am the King who can deliver you from that. The king knows that we will deceive ourselves as we might think we have no Sin as it says in 1 John 1:8 .

Rome is not your problem, sin is your problem. John 8:34

John 8:34 NIV

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

If you think that Rome is bad, the sin that so easily entangles you is infinitely worse. Jesus, the King, comes to save you, to deliver you from your sin. In your heart.

Instead of using his power to overwhelm Roman guards, he begins by cleansing the temple. He begins with Israel and their own sin.

The King is Humble

The King operates in the way of His Kingdom.This isn’t just a type of showmanship, Jesus riding in on a donkey. It is actually indicative of the way of the Kingdom…demonstrated by Christ, the King. Going back to the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 remember. Your King comes to you....righteous and victorious. Lowly and riding on a donkey. This was to fulfill that prophecy and to show the people that Christ comes with a mission of peace. He would not force followers through military force or bloody conquests. That is not the way of the kingdom.

Rather the way of humility, the way of the Kingdom....is being compelled by the Love of Christ who does the will of the father 2 Cor 5:14-15

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 NIV

14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Jesus rode into the city in a way that spoke to He not living for himself but to lay his life down for all.

The Way of the Kingdom

The way of the Kingdom is on display this Palm Sunday. And this Kingdom is not a concept, a doctrine, or a political program; it is, above all, a Person who has the face and the name of Jesus. He is the King of the kingdom that has no end…that will reign forever and ever.

Christ our King came to deliver us from death as a result of sin. He came to brings resolution between the people and God. Our response is to be compelled by the love of Christ to do live in this same way. To live for the one and only true King.

What does that mean for you today?

I ask this often but it is important nonetheless....where do you see yourself in this story?

The People

In this group that had gathered for passover in Jerusalem, we see 3 types of folks when it came to Jesus.

There were people who were unfamiliar with Christ. They had not come into contact with Jesus so they were at mildly curious to see the famous miracle man from Nazareth.

If you are here today and your not sure about Jesus, get closer. Look closer at who He says He is. Be curious and be rewarded for Christ delivers on his promises.

There were also people who opposed Jesus. Who were indignant at his claims. Who were offended at Christ claiming to be the messiah…to be engaged in blasphemy by claiming such authority as He did. They scoffed at his desire to consider others before Himself. To serve rather than be served.

It is a warning for us to not live the way of one who opposes Jesus. To check to make sure we are not elevating ourselves above the Lord and above others.

Finally, there were folks that suspected…even believed that Christ was the messiah. They celebrated Him but were desperate for perhaps the wrong thing.

Are you like the people gathered on the road as Jesus came down? Desperate for a victory over issues and problems in your life? It is good to come to God with these in desperation.

All of us have been desperate at one time or another. But the real question is ....Are we desperate for the right things? What is the right thing?

We are to be desperate for Christ.

Are we desperate for Him? Are we desperate for Christ to come in and renew our weary hearts? Does our hearts and flesh cry out for Him? This desperation is critical to our relationship with God because it reflects that Christ is King and ....we are not the Lords of our life. He is!

The King:

In our story today, we see the King.

Do you recognize areas of your life where you have not relinquished control to the King in your life? Is it your thought life? Is it your worries and anxieties?

Have you given the Lord, the King, Sunday morning, perhaps another few moments of the week but the rest of the time…you are in charge? You set the rules, you make the choices and you struggle with the consequences.

Is it the relationships? Is it the finances? Is it your kids? Your time? Your job? Search your heart and ask the Lord to find the areas in which you have kept him at bay. Remember, he does not force love…but rather His love compels us. Be compelled by his love today. Let him be your savior and your King

The Donkey:

I will close by focusing on my good work as a donkey salesman.

This donkey was born for Jesus’ wonderful work as it had not been used or ridden by anyone else. The disciples came and untied the donkey. Now the donkey was available to be used by the Lord.

But what if the donkey had been stubborn. That is pretty common trait for donkeys I have heard and seen from every cartoon I have seen. What if the donkey refused to leave his comfortable area? What if the donkey liked his surroundings? Liked the safe area and did not want to go into the strange and unknown adventure with Jesus?

GracePointe, may we look at our lives and allow the Lord to free us from all the things that bind us. That keep us from the wonderful work of Christ.

Let us not be stubborn donkeys. Let us look for ways to walk with Christ and engage in His kingdom work. May we choose to step into the strange and unknown adventure with Jesus and his Kingdom.

When we choose Christ as King, He will unburden you if you allow him. By relinquishing our own burdens, we can praise and worship God freely. We are untied…just like that donkey. Else where in Matthew 11:28 we see Christ telling us that he will give us rest.

Matthew 11:28 NIV

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

When we lay down our burdens, we are free to serve, to pray, to worship, to allow the Spirit to work within us as we love God and love others. By living free and in the way of the kingdom, the world is changed.

Everything is changed when we acknowledge that Christ is King and we are not.....when we embrace humility and choose to let Him rule in our lives. Lay down our burdens and praise God from whom all blessings flow as the way of humility…the way of the Kingdom reigns. That Kingdom knows no end!

GracePointe will you stand and close in prayer with me today...

Let us pray

Lord we see in our text today people crying out Hosanna and “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of Lord!” May that cry of praise be fresh in our hearts today. May we rejoice greatly at the redemption that we have through Jesus Christ.

Gracious God, give us grace to recognise the king we proclaim, and courage to be a part of your kingdom - even when it goes against our ways and the ways of the world, even when it leads us where we do not want to go.

Empower us to free ourselves from the tempting alternatives of power and wealth and status, and embolden us to live lives of worthy of the Kingdom....lives full of humility, thanksgiving, and praise.

We cry out to you Lord, as all glory and honor goes to you

All God’s People said, Amen.