If You Don't Know, Now You Know

Main Idea

Jesus, God in flesh, helps us to know God, our King, more intimately.

Introduction- Big Small’s 1994 Hit Juicy- while working in Chicago Summer of 1994 at an internship

"Juicy" is the first single, released August 9, 1994 by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G. from his 1994 debut album, Ready to Die.

It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! magazine Salt-n-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine Hangin' pictures on my wall Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped Smokin' weed in Bambu, sippin' on Private Stock Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack With the hat to match Remember Rappin' Duke? Duh-ha, duh-ha You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade Born sinner, the opposite of a winner Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner Peace to Ron G, Brucie B, Kid Capri Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starski I'm blowin' up like you thought I would Call the crib, same number, same hood It's all good (it's all good) And if you don't know, now you know, nigga

At the end of all three verses Notorious B.I.G will say

In case the listener previously had no knowledge of his perspective or upbringing, he insures them that now, they will know.

Transition To Body- On His Way To The Cross: Jesus Makes a 2 mile Journey from Bethphage to Jerusalem (Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem)

Matthew 20:17–19 ESV

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

The sabbath prior to Passover is called the Great Sabbath in Judaism, and it is when each household or community sets apart a Passover lamb.

Passover celebrates God's deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt.

The Passover, Paschal, lamb, in Judaism, is the lamb sacrificed at the first Passover, on the eve of the Exodus from Egypt, the most momentous event in Jewish history. During the first Passover in Exodus, chapter 12, the Jews marked their doorposts with the blood of the lamb, and this sign spared them from destruction.

Jesus traveled by way of Bethphage. Usually the paschal lamb was brought from Bethphage and led to the Temple Mount.

John 1:29 ESV

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

By the beginning of Chapter 21 in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus has told his disciples 3X:

A “If You Don’t Know, Now You Know” moment:

My guess is you either heard it in NYC, or some pop culture source like ‘Juicy’ by Notorious B.I.G.

“that it’s good to know what topics you are ignorant about” but with an added “and now you have no excuse to ‘not know’ that ever again.”

Body- If You Don’t Know, Now You Know

What We Possess Belongs To Jesus

Matthew 21:1–3 MSG

1 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples 2 with these instructions: “Go over to the village across from you. You’ll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you’re doing, say, ‘The Master needs them!’ He will send them with you.”

New Testament 21:1–11—The Meek King

This borrowing of a donkey may be seen in terms of royal emissaries temporarily impressing (demanding the service of) an animal; Jesus as Lord has the right to whatever his followers claim to own. On the historical level, the donkey’s owner probably saw it as helpful hospitality to visitors to the feast or perhaps as the honor of helping on his way a famous rabbi.

Possess

: to have and hold as property : OWN

: to have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

: to seize and take control of : take into one's possession

Wealth, Health, & Breath

Psalm 24:1 ESV

1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

I possess it but it does not possess me!

Jesus can depend on His true followers

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What We Possess Belongs To Jesus

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Jesus Is Not An Ordinary King

Matthew 21:4–6 MSG

4 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet: 5 Tell Zion’s daughter, “Look, your king’s on his way, poised and ready, mounted On a donkey, on a colt, foal of a pack animal.” 6 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do.

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

9 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.

The Nature Of Jesus’ Arrival

The Zechariah prophecy indicates the nature of Jesus’ arrival: He comes as the righteous one who offers salvation, not as a conquering military leader. He comes with reconciliation, as did rulers who sometimes rode a donkey in times of peace (Judg. 5:10; 1 Kings 1:33). Through this event, Jesus delineates that he is not coming to bring military conquest.

Not a Warrior-King But A Meek King

Jesus was announcing that he was indeed a king, but not a warrior-king (Moule 1965:87; E. Sanders 1993:242). Jesus was the meek one (11:29; 12:18-21; compare 5:5).

A King Who Brings Reconciliation

Romans 5:10–11 ESV

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Gentle Kingly Guidance Of Jesus’ Meekness

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Meek People Rely Upon The LORD & Receive Peace On Earth

Matthew 5:5 ESV

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Psalm 37:9 ESV

9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Psalm 37:11 ESV

11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Meekness is the Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Our Ministry of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:17–19 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

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What We Possess Belongs To Jesus

Jesus Is Not An Ordinary King

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Followers of Jesus Pay Him Homage

Matthew 21:7–11 MSG

7 They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. 8 Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. 9 Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, “Hosanna to David’s son!” “Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” “Hosanna in highest heaven!” 10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, “What’s going on here? Who is this?” 11 The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”

To pay Homage means to show great respect and honor publicly to a person or thing. We pay homage to our ancestors and say prayers in homage to their memory. In Middle English, homage specifically referred to respect for and loyalty to a king as lord.

formal public acknowledgment of allegiance to a king as lord

: something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another : TRIBUTE

It was on February 6, 1952 that Elizabeth II became queen of the United Kingdom, when her father, King George VI, died. She was just 25 years old. Her coronation was the first to be broadcast live on television and was watched by more than 20 million people in the UK. The event included over 8, 000 VIP guests, including many world leaders.

More than 3 million Britains lined the streets afterward for her procession from Westminister Abbey, where the ceremony was held, to Buckingham Palace.

The queen said during a speech broadcast after the coronation.

“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine,”

“Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”

A preacher once said:

Jesus' followers knew Him. They laid their cloaks on the road for his donkey to walk upon so that even the feet of his mount wouldn't have to touch the dirt trodden by ordinary common people

Waving Palms pay Tribute to the LORD for Victory

Leviticus provides the most detailed instructions, indicating the time span and purpose of the festival as well as the plants to be used for the booths (Lev 23:33–36; 39–44). It is to be a seven-day festival, with a Sabbath rest and sacred assembly on the first and eighth days. On the first day the people were to take branches from palms, willows, and other luxuriant trees and rejoice before the Lord, and they were to live in booths for the week so their descendants would know that they lived in booths when God brought them out of Egypt.

Benjamin M. Austin, “Booths, Feast of,” The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

Leviticus 23:39–44 ESV

39 “On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the Lord seven days. On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. 40 And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. 41 You shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” 44 Thus Moses declared to the people of Israel the appointed feasts of the Lord.

Hosanna- Oh LORD Save Us Now!

The crowds shout out “Hosanna,” which is the transliteration of the Hebrew expression that means “O save”

2 Samuel 14:4 ESV

4 When the woman of Tekoa came to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and paid homage and said, “Save me, O king.”

2 Kings 6:26 ESV

26 Now as the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!”

Oh LORD Save Us

Psalm 118:25 ESV

25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!

This draws the crowd to make a connection to the Hallel (Ps. 113–118) that was sung during the Passover season, especially expressing the messianic hopes of Israel as voiced in Psalm 118:19–29 (cf. esp. 118:25: “O Lord, save us”).

They further cry out to Jesus as “Son of David” (21:9). Linked with Hosanna, the title “Son of David” is unmistakably messianic. The crowd acknowledges what Jesus has already stated in his fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9: He is the Davidic Messiah (see comments on 1:1), on whom they call to save them out of their oppression.

Jesus’ Different Kind of Triumphal Entry

But Jesus has undertaken a different kind of “triumphal entry” from what many among the crowd expected. Jesus will triumph over the enemy of sin, bringing salvation to his people through his righteous sacrifice on the cross that looms ahead. Many in the crowd can only think of physical and military liberation.

They cry “Hosanna” now, but soon will see that Jesus is not bringing the freedom they desire and will ultimately cry out, “Crucify him” (27:22). Although the crowd gives great acclaim, Jesus knows why they are really welcoming him.

Jesus knows their nationalistic ambitions and fickleness;

Nevertheless, the crowds understand the meaning of his messianic identity no more than the disciples had (16:20–22; 27:20);

Matthew 16:20–22 ESV

20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”

Son of David- a true but inadequate Christology

Matthew 22:41–45 ESV

41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 44 “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet” ’? 45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”

Even today many people call themselves Christians

but have not pressed far enough in Jesus’ teachings to understand the real character of his lordship or his demands on their lives.

The praises of the masses are good, but it is the disciples who truly submit to Christ’s will—those who read his kingship in light of the cross—who will carry out his purposes in the world.

Craig S. Keener, Matthew, vol. 1 of The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997), Mt 21:7–11.

Today’s So Called Christians…

But Jesus Said:

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 12:50 ESV

50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Last Week (Matthew 7:24-27)

Luke 6:46–49 ESV

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

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What We Possess Belongs To Jesus

Jesus Is Not An Ordinary King

Followers of Jesus Pay Him Homage

}

Transition To Close- Who is This? This is the Prophet Jesus…

Matthew 21:10–11 MSG

10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, “What’s going on here? Who is this?” 11 The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Brene Brown in her book dare to lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts,

wrote the following statement, I quote:

“When we have the courage to walk into our story and own it, we get to write the ending.”

Close- If You Don’t Know, Now You Know- Jesus Is The Son of God

Peter Got It Right!

Matthew 16:13–20 ESV

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

The Beloved Son of God

Matthew 17:1–9 ESV

1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

Who is this King of Glory?

Psalm 24:7–10 ESV

7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! 9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

Make A Joyful Noise

Psalm 100:1–5 ESV

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

We Have Seen His Glory

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Charles Wesley would later write:

1 A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky.

2 To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill, O may it all my pow'rs engage to do my Master's will!

3 Arm me with watchful care as in Thy sight to live, and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare a strict account to give!

4 Help me to watch and pray, and still on Thee rely, O let me not my trust betray, but press to realms on high.

Ride on, King Jesus, no man cana hinder me. Ride on, King Jesus, ride on, no man cana hinder me. Ride on, King Jesus, no man cana hinder me. Ride on, King Jesus, ride on, no man cana hinder me.