A Week Unlike Any Other

Introduction

The next two weeks we’re pausing our journey through Daniel to fast forward some 600 years or so as Jesus enters Jerusalem one final time at the start of what we call, Holy Week. 2000 years ago, we celebrate that Jesus Christ came to Jerusalem with His eyes fixed on His purpose. As you think about that word, purpose, think of some of the things that come to mind. What is my purpose? Some would say that their purpose is to provide for their loved ones. Others might say that their purpose is to have fun in life and to live life to the fullest. Some might say that their purpose is to achieve their potential and push themselves to the limit. What about you? What is your purpose? How do we even know the answer to that question? Many people don’t even know where to begin when they are asked this - so they look internally. That leads to despair. That leads to frustration. That leads to hopelessness. The Bible gives us the answer to this question, friends. Our purpose in this life is to glorify God - that is why we exist! To know God and to glorify Him. Each of us have been created for this function.

Some of you undoubtedly know this and strive to do this. But others of you might be here today and you question how to do this - how do I glorify God? Or, better yet, why? Why should I glorify God? What did God do for me that I should glorify Him and live for Him? This is what Holy Week helps explain. This week we celebrate the last week of Jesus’ life, leading up the cross. We see a perfect person spend His last few days with sinners. Teaching, praying, fellowshipping. This morning, on Palm Sunday, let’s look in the Gospel of Luke at this week unlike any other - how Jesus knew His purpose and succeeded in His mission to seek and save the lost just like you and me. Let’s turn to Luke 19, first, and see the entrance of the King.

2 options during Holy Week (2 options when something otherworldly happens) - pause and praise, or reject and refuse

Luke 19:28–44 CSB

28 When he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples 30 and said, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent left and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 “The Lord needs it,” they said. 35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their clothes on the colt, they helped Jesus get on it. 36 As he was going along, they were spreading their clothes on the road. 37 Now he came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: 38 Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven! 39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.” 41 As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, 42 saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come on you when your enemies will build a barricade around you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you and your children among you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in your midst, because you did not recognize the time when God visited you.”

There are just 2 options during Holy Week - we can either pause and praise Jesus… or we can reject Him and refuse to praise Him. This is what happens in our text this morning. This is what took place 2000 years ago as the King of Kings entered Jerusalem one final time and was greeted by some who praised Him, and some who plotted to have Him killed. What do you say about this Jesus? What has your response been to Him? Praise? Or passivity? Let’s pray together that Jesus would help us better understand who He is and what He came to do.

Jesus is Praised (Luke 19:28-44)

Luke’s Gospel account is unique as Luke’s background as a doctor makes him be very detailed in his descriptions of Jesus and His Gospel ministry. From Luke 9-Luke 19, we see Jesus traveling towards Jerusalem and we come across some teachings, stories, and parables unique to Luke’s Gospel. Think of some of these unique teachings: Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son, Rich Man and Lazarus and the story of Zacchaeus all appear in this travel-logue in Luke’s Gospel as Jesus makes His way towards Jerusalem. What is Jesus doing as He is on His way to Jerusalem? Continuing His teaching on the Kingdom of God and sharing that there is something different at hand. There is good news. There is hope. There is joy. There is life. The crowds that heard of these teachings during this journey were fascinated by Jesus - word was spreading throughout the land that there was something special about Jesus of Nazareth. His fame was growing and eventually it came time to go into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and Jesus, as we see in our text in Luke 19, enters the city on a donkey. He enters the city to the shouts of the people who are rejoicing that He has entered the city as the “King who comes in the name of the Lord!” This is a quotation of Zechariah 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 CSB

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The people know of Jesus’ power, they’ve heard Jesus’ teachings, they are rejoicing because this means that their King has come victoriously and humbly, riding on a donkey. This doesn’t quite add up, though, does it? What victorious king would ride on the back of a donkey? Kings in this era after a victory would ride on a mighty horse and behind them would be treasures, livestock, and prisoners that they had acquired in the battle itself. But here comes Jesus, demonstrating His power not riding a mighty horse, but a lowly donkey. Not a proud stallion, but a borrowed beast. He enters to the shouts of Hosanna - the town is excited! The crowd is praising His name! They didn’t all know Who exactly He was, but they knew there was something special at hand. However, we see in Luke’s Gospel that some people weren’t fond of Jesus’ entrance. They weren’t fond of the praise He was receiving. The Pharisees butted heads with Jesus often during His ministry and they want Him to rebuke His disciples because if Jesus is praised as the King, that means that there are 2 kings - there is the Roman king (Emperor) and there is Jesus, this King who comes in the name of the Lord. The Pharisees are looking out for their own skin - if Rome finds out that Jesus is the Messiah, the King, then Rome will crush us. We won’t have power. Therefore, we must stop this nonsensical praise from continuing. Whenever Jesus entered Jerusalem, some praised Him while others pouted. What has your response to Jesus been? Has it been praise? Or has Jesus been a problem for you? Many Jews believed that Jesus was just a prophet. The Romans believed that He was a revolutionary. Historians have largely believed that Jesus was a wise teacher, possibly a power hungry carpenter. What about yourself, who do you believe Jesus is?

Jesus taught that He was able to forgive sins - something only God could do

Luke 19:10 CSB

10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

In fact, as you look at Luke’s Gospel, you see that Jesus is a very good “seeker” of sinners. This is Who He is! However, many misunderstood Him then, and many misunderstand Jesus to this day as well. The average American in 2024 knows about Jesus. They’ll talk about Jesus. They might pray to Jesus. They might even praise Jesus during some moments in life! But what about when push comes to shove? Our praise often turns into complaints. Praise turns into pride. For this reason, we read that Jesus looked at the city and He wept. Look at why He wept - the people don’t have peace. What is the key to peace? Knowing the Prince of Peace! We look around our world today and people are searching for peace in all sorts of places. Some try to solve the problems they face with money, relationships, power, drugs, and hobbies. We might even try to fill those voids with “good” things,. but apart peace substitutes don’t last. Jesus and Jesus alone provides peace. Because these people don’t have peace, He weeps. The same God who spoke the world into existence. The same God who created you. The same God who brought you hear today. The same God who provides peace is the same God who weeps. Jesus weeps because for 3 years He has ministered to these people and some are still rejecting the peace and salvation that He alone provides! The people had heard the truth, but they weren’t interested in hearing it. Because of this, their future was that of judgment… For this, Jesus weeps. As we think about the fate awaiting those who reject Jesus today, how much more should we weep for those who do not know the peace that Jesus alone can provide? First, Jesus enters the city to shouts of praise that will quickly turn into shouts for His death. Don’t ever get too wrapped up in the praise of people as it comes and it goes. Let’s make our way from Sunday to Thursday, from Luke 19 to Luke 22 as Jesus goes into the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples following the Lord’s Supper

Luke 22:39–46 CSB

39 He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. 44 Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he got up from prayer and came to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation.”

Jesus Prays (Luke 22:39-46)

At this point in the week, the people would be prepared to have Passover. Passover is the celebration of God’s faithfulness in Egypt as He sent the angel of death and the angel passed over the homes of the Israelites who put the blood of this passover lamb on their doorposts. As we celebrated the Lord’s Supper last week, we celebrated the fact that Jesus Christ serves as the true and greater passover lamb some 1500 years after the first passover. Jesus would be crucified on the day that the passover lambs were slaughtered! He says in the Lord’s Supper that His blood is the blood of the new covenant which is poured out for His people. We see that after this meal Jesus took His disciples to the Mount of Olives to pray.

Have you ever thought through the fact that Jesus, the Son of God, spent so much of His time in on earth in prayer? Who did He pray to? He prayed to His Father. He spent time talking to His Father. Submitting Himself to the Father’s plan. Trusting in the Father’s power. Waiting for the Father’s provision. Jesus, the Son of God, knew that He needed to spend time in prayer. How much more do you think we need to spend time in prayer? Aligning ourselves with our Father’s plan. Trusting in our Father’s power. Waiting for His provision. Prayer is something that is largely misunderstood, we looked at Luke 11 at the beginning of the year and saw how we are to be a people of Consistent Prayer as you look at our wall of church values in our back foyer. Prayer is not ordering God around. Prayer is not even informing God of something as God already knows all things. What is prayer? Prayer is trusting in the Lord, submitting to His plan, obeying His Word, and growing in our walk with our God. Prayer is something that many of us struggle with in varying capacities. Some of us struggle because we don’t know what to say. If that’s you, start with God’s Word and praise God for what you read about Him in Scripture - His faithfulness, mercy, love, forgiveness. Many of us struggle because we simply skip over prayer. We say we’ll do it later… but later rarely seems to come. Anyone else in that boat? I’ve been there! You wake up late and you don’t have time because you have to rush out the door. You get to work and you’re busy from the time you arrive to the time that you leave. You get home and your family is busy and before you know it, you lay your head on your pillow and you’re about to say your prayers and you fall asleep! We’ve all been there. We’re all tempted not to pray, Jesus says that prayer is the answer to that temptation. He tells His disciples to pray so that they do not fall into temptation. Pray, align yourself with God’s will, don’t give into temptation, spend time with the Lord in prayer.

If you were told that you had 24 hours left in your life, how would you spend those precious hours, minute, and seconds? Likely with your family. Possibly doing something you love doing. Maybe if you’re close enough, you drive to a favorite location. You treasure that time and you spend it doing something important! This is Jesus’ last day before His crucifixion… and He spends it with His disciples and with His Father in prayer. Do you think that’s significant? Absolutely! Consider Jesus’ prayer in the Garden.

“Father if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”

Jesus presents His request before the Lord - if there is any way, take this cup away! What exactly is this cup? It’s not a cup of water or a measuring cup, this is the cup of God’s wrath against sin. This is a symbolic cup that represents the punishment of God against sin. Jesus is about to taste God’s hatred against sin and He prays if there is any way possible to avoid drinking this cup, please take it away! How would Jesus drink this cup? Do you think this was a surprise to Jesus? Consider what we see in the New Testament

Galatians 4:4–5 CSB

4 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Matthew 1:21 CSB

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

In the Old Testament, how are sins atoned for? Through blood. The blood of the sacrifices in the Old Testament, though, it couldn’t save or forgive people, though. It simply postponed God’s judgment. Jesus came in order to redeem sinners and to save people from sins. How would this happen? Through the shedding of blood. Whose blood? The blood of Jesus. Throughout Luke’s Gospel, Jesus has shared that this is His mission. He knows what is to come - He prays, “God if there is any other way, please let that happen!” But that isn’t where His prayer stops. He fully submits Himself to the Father’s plan. “Yet not my will but yours be done.” One of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard about this prayer is by CityAlight and it’s entitled “Your Will Be Done” - I encourage you to listen to it this week as you reflect on this part of Holy Week as our Savior prayed “Not my will, but yours be done” - isn’t this an easy thing to leave off of our prayers? We praise God. We bring our requests to God. But so often we can fail to yield to God’s will and trust in whatever His answer is. Not so with Jesus, though. He prays for the Father’s will to be done, even as painful as it will be. See the drops of blood that he sweats out here? The agony. The pain. The stress. This is but a glimpse of what is to come.

Friends, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are not promised “yes” to all of your prayers. You are not promised an easy life. You are not promised a suffering-free life. In fact, obeying Jesus might cost you everything. It might be difficult. It might be painful. But God’s answer can be nothing other than what is in our best interests. Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

God listens. God loves. God provides. Look at what God did - He sent forth an angel to strengthen Jesus in this moment. Our battle is cosmic, our enemy is largely unseen but his activity is obvious. Think of the ways that Satan is at work in this Holy Week 2000 years ago. Working to bring about the end of Jesus. The betrayal of his disciples. Yet in the midst of this, we see God is also involved. He strengthens His Son. God answers Jesus’ prayer. His answer is “no” you will drink this cup, but even in the Father’s no, there is grace and provision. God’s no meant the Rejection of His Son, but the Salvation of Sinners! If Jesus spent time in prayer to His Father, how much more do we need to spend time in prayer to our Father? There are things in this life that we face that we can’t overcome on our own, we need God’s help. We need God’s guidance. We need God’s power. We need God’s grace. So we pray… We acknowledge who we are and who God is. We trust in His character. We wait for His timing. We stand on His Word. Whatever happens, whatever the answer, we know our God is good. Jesus is praised. Then Jesus prays. Finally, we see that Jesus provides. Let’s look in Luke 23:32-49 at what happens on Friday.

Luke 23:32–49 CSB

32 Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots. 35 The people stood watching, and even the leaders were scoffing: “He saved others; let him save himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him. They came offering him sour wine 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews. 39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, 45 because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” Saying this, he breathed his last. 47 When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” 48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. 49 But all who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus Provides (Luke 23:32-49)

Jesus is led up the place called the Skull as they had to execute criminals outside the city gate according to Leviticus 24:14 because the person who is killed on a tree (cross) is considered to be cursed by God and you’re not going to have a cursed person inside your city. Look at His company on this mountain - 2 criminals. So here you have a perfect man, who never knew sin and never did sin, dying on a cross as one who is cursed by God

Galatians 3:13 CSB

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.

Yet look at what Jesus requests while dying on the cross - Father Forgive Them… because they do not know what they are doing. While experiencing the pain of crucifixion and the weight of God’s judgment against sin, Jesus’ concern is with the eternal souls of those who put Him on the cross! Do you see the mercy here? Whenever someone looks at us the wrong way, whenever someone says something that upsets us, whenever someone has a preference or idea that we don’t agree with, there’s a part of us that wants that person to not get their way, to suffer, to get what they deserve. Yet here is Jesus, getting what He did not deserve, praying that God would have mercy on these guilty people because, He says, “They don’t know what they are doing.” The people are mocking Him - you saved other people, if you’re really the Messiah, save yourself! Consider this: For Jesus to save Himself, it would mean that we would be doomed. For sinners to be saved, it means that Jesus must die. Jesus provides Himself in our place to save us.

The crowd mocks Jesus. The soldiers mock Jesus. Even one of the criminals begins to mock Jesus! As we look around our world today, this is nothing new! People mock Jesus. They fail to worship Him. Billions fail to see the danger that they are in. Billions fail to see the fact that they need Jesus to provide in their life! Billions believe that they are their own Savior. Billions look to the cross and see a failure. But they fail to understand that there will be no crown wearers who were not first cross hangers. There will be no eternal celebration without earthly condemnation. Jesus, God’s Son, the “King of the Jews” was hanging on the tree - being mocked by the same people He Himself created. Hanging on a tree that He Himself had made. Bleeding out thanks to nails that He had created the materials for years before. In the midst of this, Jesus provides.

Think of what Jesus provides. One of the criminals asks for Jesus to save both Himself and the 2 criminals. This man is confused, and sinfulness has consequences. The man is trying to see what Jesus can provide for him. He wants Jesus to meet his requirements. I’ll trust in Jesus if He does _______. I’ll obey Jesus if He does _________. Jesus, get me off this cross and do it now! This man uses his last hours, minutes, and seconds to mock His Creator. Have you met someone like this in your life? Someone who doesn’t believe in God, but sure does talk about Him an awful lot? Someone who mocks God an awful lot? We see this same level of depravity around our world daily as people mock Jesus just as this thief on the cross does. We see this as people go to Jesus for what they think that Jesus can give them in life. I’ll take a Jesus who can get me off this cross. I’ll take a Jesus who can give me the desires of my heart. I’ll take a Jesus that is there to please me and grant my wishes. America is in love with that Jesus! But there’s just one problem. That isn’t the Jesus of the Bible, church. Are you this first person? See, both people on the cross had an opportunity to know Jesus. You today, regardless of your past, have the opportunity to turn to Jesus today in faith and trust in Him. But are you coming for Jesus for WHAT He can get you, or are you coming to Jesus because of WHO Jesus is?

Look at the second criminal. He says this, “We deserve to be here… this man did nothing wrong. Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus says, “Today, you will be with me paradise.” How did this man understand this? We’re not told! He has faith that Jesus is Who He said that He was - God opened His eyes at the last possible moment, and Jesus provided this criminal with salvation. I don’t know your story, I don’t know your background, but I do know the power of Jesus Christ. He can save you. Because of Jesus, there is hope for suffering criminals and spotless CEO’s alike. Look at the promise Jesus provides: Today you will be with me in paradise. We like to highlight the paradise part of this verse and understandably so… but what makes eternity with Jesus paradise? JESUS! You will be with ME today. This man confessed his sins. He trusted in Jesus. Jesus saved this man.

Alistair Begg rightly points out that the salvation of this man is good news for all men who would come after. The criminal passes away and goes to glory - he stands about to enter in and is stopped before.

“Why are you here?”

Criminal: I really don’t know

“Do you understand the doctrine of salvation being by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone?”

Criminal: Never heard of it in my life

“Do you know what the Bible teaches about sin and salvation and how all Scripture is God breathed?”

Criminal: No clue what you’re talking about

“Well, were you at least baptized?”

Criminal: What is that?

“On what basis are you here!?”

Criminal: The man on the middle cross told me that I could come

FBC family, Jesus provides salvation to sinners. The basis of our salvation is not “because I” ________. It’s because He. Because He died for a sinner like me. Because Jesus paid it all. Because Jesus provided for me.

On the cross, Jesus provides everything necessary for our salvation. He paid it all. He did all the work necessary. That’s why in John’s Gospel He cries out, “It Is Finished.” The land turned to darkness. The veil in the temple was “split down the middle” meaning that it was torn from the top down. Jesus provided our salvation. And in the temple veil being split Jesus provides us with access to God today. He provides as only the Son of God could.

What Must My Response Be to Jesus?

So, who do you say this Jesus is?

CS Lewis coined the phrase: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord. Either Jesus was a masterful liar who was able to deceive people into following Him or possibly He was a madman able to convince people that He was greater than He truly was. Or He was the Lord that He claimed to be all along. What must your response be to Jesus? We all respond to Jesus Christ in one of two ways - just like the men on the cross. We either confess Him as the Lord that He was, or we reject His Lordship. Either Jesus was a Liar or a Lunatic who didn’t know what He was talking about, in which case the cross is of no importance. Or Jesus is the Lord He claimed to be in which case the cross is of utmost importance. Either way, Jesus demands a response today and we all will respond to Him.

Many will respond with rejection like this criminal. Many respond by saying that Jesus was a good teacher! Jesus was a wise man! Jesus was an advocate for change! Jesus was a nice person! But Savior? Not willing to go there. God in human flesh? Absolutely not. Lord of my life who changes me? Not interested. To say that Jesus is anything less than the Savior of sinners is to reject the Biblical Jesus as Luke 19:10 tells us

Luke 19:10 CSB

10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

As those who are lost. As those dead in sins. What must our response be to King Jesus?

Repentance

Belief

Praise

If you are here and you have not repented of your sins, friend, turn from your sins. Turn away from any part of your life that believes that you can earn your salvation or God’s favor through your works. Repent from self-belief and sinful pride. Second, believe that Jesus is Who He said He was. Believe that He is the Savior of Sinners. Believe that He lived a sinless life. Believe that He died for sinners like you and me. Believe that there is salvation only through Jesus Christ!

If you have responded to Jesus in this way, praise His name. We praise Him for what He has done. We praise Him for being faithful. We don’t praise Him on Sunday and curse Him on Friday. We praise His name. If Jesus wore our sin, surely we can wear His name. If Jesus took our place to save us for all eternity, surely we can stand to be persecuted in this life so that He receives the glory. Christ’s love outlasts our suffering. Commit yourself to Jesus and taste and see that He is good and that His peace provides you with something this world cannot touch or takeaway.

Though the Sun had ceased its shining

Though the War appeared as lost

Christ had triumphed over evil

It was finished upon that cross

Friday is Dark… but Sunday is Coming!