Resurrection road pt2

Title: Resurrection Road pt2

Text: Matthew 21:1-11; Zechariah 9:9

D.T. Sheep bite

Introduction: Today we are continuing our series “resurrection road” . During this series we will be studying the journey of Jesus as he embarks on the road which leads to the cross, the tomb, and ending during the time of his resurrection. Last week we studied the first stop of this resurrection road. We started with Jesus anointing in Bethany. Today the journey will continue as Jesus leaves Bethany and heads for Jerusalem. This leads to one of the most well known moments in the ministry of Jesus. The triumphal entry. So let’s get started by reading our passage of scripture.

Read Matthew 21:1-11

Matthew 21:1–11 ESV

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.”

The imagery of Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem is powerful. The people receive Jesus as royalty, they are scrambling for items to throw at his feet, so much so they resort to laying palm branches at his feet. This story illustrates how far Jesus has come in his ministry. He started as a relatively unknown carpenter in Nazareth, now he’s entering the city of Jerusalem as people shout “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD! So this story is able to stand on its own as being a powerful moment. However after factoring the enormous lessons this story teaches, this moment becomes even bigger. So what are the lessons this story teaches? The triumphal entry teaches us about the nature of scripture, Christ, and humanity as a whole.

The nature of scripture. Matthew draws specific attention to this prophecy, he wants us to understand this is the fulfillment of scripture. Zechariah 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

promises this. (READ) It’s safe to say that Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy. The prophecy is clear, it’s not ambiguous. Jesus is clearly fulfilling the prophecy. It’s impossible for any well read Jew to fail to recognize this prophecy because of ignorance. If the Pharisees refuse to recognize this as fulfillment of prophecy, it’s because they willingly did so because of their hardened hearts.

The nature of Christ. During the Christmas season we often meditate on Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

which promises that Jesus will be a wonderful counselor, mighty god, everlasting father, and prince of peace. When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, he was also making a proclamation that he was the prince of peace as Isaiah said. Jesus did this by entering the city on the back of a donkey. It would not be uncommon for prominent people and political figures to enter a city with a triumphal parade. If an Emperor would enter a city in a triumph entry, he would do so on horseback. This would be a status symbol, it would label you a victor. Entering this way would be the ancient equivalent of a drop-top cadillac. Entering a city on the back of a donkey would also send a strong message.

Throughout history there have been many customs to indicate peaceful intentions. Several hundred years ago a person would weave a white flag of parley if they wanted to discuss peace. Entering on a donkey communicates the same thing, it means you arrive with peaceful intention. Jesus entered the city peacefully, however it would not take long before his reception by the city would be far from peaceful.

The nature of humanity What this story teaches us about the nature of humanity might be the most prominent lesson this story offers. When Jesus paraded through the city, people greeted him with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD.” However, less than a week later many of these same people would shout “crucify him!” This story is a stark reminder that humanity is a fickle species caught in the crossfire of this world. People can go from loving someone, to rabidly hating them in a shockingly short amount of time. There are many moments in history which prove this.

Sports Have you ever seen fans of a sports team react when one of their beloved athletes joins another team?

Tyreek Hill

Orlando Brown

Labron James

History These moments are often more serious and deadly. Marie Antoinette who was once loved by the people of France. However when she responded to the struggles of her people by saying “Let them eat cake!” the people suddenly hated her. In October of 1793 she would be taken to the Guillotine, and her body would be tossed in an unmarked grave.

The way the crowds turned on Jesus was even worse. It wasn’t something that really wasn’t serious like a sports betrayal. It also wasn’t an example of someone blatantly ignoring the suffering of the poor. Jesus didn’t make any mistakes. Jesus didn’t betray anyone's trust. Jesus didn’t invite this drastic turn of events with any type of wrongdoing. Jesus was always consistent. Jesus was always the good shepherd. He never stopped caring for his sheep, and looking for his lost sheep.

Which brings us to perhaps the biggest lesson of all. If the triumphal entry teaches anything it’s this. Sheep bite. They will bite their shepherds, even the best shepherds they have. There is an old proverb which says “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you” . It paints us as very hypocritical, because we do it all the time. Why? Because sheep bite!

The sheep bit Jesus when they demanded he be crucified, and Barabbas freed, The sheep bit Jesus as they placed the crown of thorns on his head. The sheep bit Jesus when he was whipped. The sheep bit Jesus when he was nailed to the cross. Jesus' response was always the same. Jesus pleads with the father to forgive them, for they know not what they do. The sheep bite every time we praise Jesus, and then later sin. When we do this. When we are like the people in the crowd. Every time we do, it’s as if we go from saying Hosanna one minute, to crucify him the next. Yet this isn’t surprising to Jesus. Jesus is very aware the sheep he loves and desperately seek will bite him. Yet he loves them anyway Jesus went to the cross for the sheep who bit him.