ALIVE: HOPE HAS A NAME

Triumphal Entry

LUKE 19:28-44

John 12 account

13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Jn 12:13.

Matthew 21 account laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 21:7–8.

JESUS’S ARRIVAL INTO THE CITY

The Lord gives (He’s giving Himself, as the groom, as the savior, to the City)

And the Lord takes away (He’s leading Himself to the place where He must be taken away)

Sometimes we focus too much on what the Lord takes away.

Sometimes we focus too much on what the Lord can give.

But the Lord gives and takes away.

We see this in Matthew 9 : The disciples were challenged on their commitment with their fasting. Jesus’s response said, right now they have, and soon it will be taken away (speaking of Himself).

Matthew 9

15 Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests be sad while the groom is with them? The time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Mt 9:15.

Jesus was there with them.

And Jesus also needed to go away.

John 16

7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor (Advocate, Helper, Intercessor - Holy Spirit) will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Jn 16:7.

Jesus knew the larger picture. Jesus sees you and your current state. He also knows where He wants to take you.

He wants to take you to a place of peace.

He wants to take you to a place of healing.

He wants to take you to a place of hope.

He wants to take you to a place of empowerment - seeing, witnessing and partaking in his POWER and GLORY.

And there may be some things He may need to remove from your life so that you can know that peace, that healing, that hope, and that power.

JESUS LOVES YOU

We see Jesus’s emotional intensity upon seeing the City of Jerusalem. He LOVED Jerusalem. He loved the people - His people. And He wept over them!

How often do you weep over your city?

How often do you weep over your people going to work?

Here we see Jesus doing that - IF ONLY THEY KNEW!

JESUS’S LOVE FOR JERUSALEM

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.

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Lk 19:41–42.

If only they knew peace that was coming - that was already there with them - but they couldn’t see it.

If only they knew the peace that was coming - in the form of violence it would take - but they couldn’t see it.

If only they knew the peace that was coming - and the sacrifice it would cost - but they couldn’t see it.

If only they knew the hope that stood before them - but they couldn’t see it.

If only they knew the love and compassion He brought them - but they couldn’t see it.

We can’t always see what’s coming in the distant future. We can’t always see what’s just around the river bend.

But we have in this moment, with what you can right now - the capacity you have - whatever’s in your hand,

With this we praise and glorify Him.

John 12:16, when they glorified Him, then they remembered!

16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Jn 12:16.

Luke 19

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!

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Lk 19:37–38.

Our worship brings RESCUE!

There is a blessing in praising and glorifying God!

The Holy Spirit will bring to remembrance all the things He has done in your life!

Praising and Glorifying God is the fastest way to get into His Presence!

Praising and Glorifying God is the fastest way to get out of the funk of life!

It’s in our praise and worship that He IS glorified - and our spirit testifies with God Almighty who He really is!

Jesus’s Return in Glory

We, too, get to wave palms and sing of His praise!

We, too, get to announce the arrival of the King of Israel - the King of all kings, and Lord of All!

It is preparing the Way of the Lord

Preparing for His Return, and preparing the Way for the others to know Jesus.

Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Christ on a White Horse

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Re 19:10–16.

WE SHOUT HOSANNA!

John 12:13

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!”

HOSANNA - this word means “SAVE NOW” - it’s a shout to the Lord to save me - rescue me - save us and establish your Kingdom”

The result of your testimony and the result of your praise!!! Matthew 21 10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 21:10.

Who is this Jesus?

What is this Hope? HE IS OUR LIVING HOPE 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 1 Pe 1:3.

What is the source of your peace?

Prepare the Way of the LORD

Prepare the Way with your worship

Prepare the Way with your prayer

Prepare the Way when you wake up, and Prepare the Way when you lay down at night.

Prepare the Way of the LORD - and shout HOSANNA to His Name!