Who is this Man? Part 3

Palm Sunday Video

Who is this man? Palm Sunday is a day that draws our eyes toward the cross. But we must understand that those around struggled to comprehend this reality. And I think, sometimes we do too. Yes, Palm Sunday is a reminder. A reminder of who this man really is and the choice we have to make.

Today, I want to take a look at a very brief passage from our reading. One that you probably read quickly, maybe took a mental note, and then moved on. This passage though, has incredible significance for our journey with Jesus.

Realities of Life’s Journey

We feel that we know what’s really going on

We follow the leader, carrying our own motives with us

We forsake the truth for lie

Mark 9:30–32 ESV

30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

The first time Jesus did this, Peter rebuked Jesus...

Mark 8:32–33 ESV

32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Let’s revisit the Realities that I shared a minute ago...

Realities of Life’s Journey

We feel that we know what’s really going on

We call ourselves Christians. We even claim to follow Jesus. We feel that we know what’s really going on in the world around us. We think we have figured it out...

We follow the leader, carrying our own motives with us

So, we follow. But while we follow, we carry our own motives along with us. We have our own agendas. Our own preferences. And when these don’t match up with the Truth of God, we find ourselves in Peter’s shoes.

Speaking of Truth...

We forsake the truth for lie

Here is the reality we must understand...

Graves into Gardens Video

Not only were we created in the garden…we were called to have dominion over the garden. Yet, with sin, we forsook the truth and bought the lie. Since then, we have bought into lie after lie. The result? Instead of fulfilling the command to have dominion over creation, creation has gained dominion over us. That is why Jesus came to earth. That is why Jesus rode in on the donkey on Palm Sunday. Jesus came to not only redeem us from the grave, but to restore the created order.

As we walk through Holy Week…let us under the reality of life. Let us observe Good Friday together and remember the price paid for our sins. Let us sit through that dark Saturday when hope was lost with the Savior dead. And then let us gather together for Resurrection Sunday and celebrate the victory won! When Jesus redeemed US from the grave. Where Jesus restored the created order. If only we would believe the truth!

1 Corinthians 15:55–58 ESV

55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.