The Misunderstood Messiah.

Bible Passage: Matthew 21:1-11.

Jesus is making his final ascent into Jerusalem for the Passover. We see that he will be welcome as a King, only later to be crucified as a criminal. Choices will be made effectively fulfilling Gods plan for His only begotten Son. Jesus came to the world to deliver us from our sin, but the world was not ready tor receive him. Something we all need to ask ourselves are we ready to receive Him?

Maybe you have received him, do you live in a manner that reflects the gift you have received?

Have you allowed him to be King Jesus in your life? Ruler of what you do, the places you go. Do you consider the cross when making decisions?

Todays christianity says live how you want, do what you want. We ought to live a life that purposefully reflects Christ. Jesus’ preparation was purposeful for what was about to happen.

Do you live your life on purpose? What is your purpose?

Jesus had a humble approach to his Kingship, we have a humble king, how do you embrace his leading in your life?

Or Are you humbly following him, or do you prefer proudly directing your steps?

Philippians 2:5–8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Obedience takes being humble, You can’t be obedient unless you humble yourself. As we take a look at Jesus preparing for his death, let’s allow his example to be the guiding light in our lives.

1. Purposeful Preparation

Matthew 21:1-3.

V1. Jesus and his disciples were approaching Jerusalem. He knew the time was coming and he intentionally was preparing for what was about to happen.

Let me ask you a question, What in your life has prepared you for today? What things has God allowed in your life to take place for what he wants you to do?

V2. Jesus is humbly is making his preparations. Have you humbled yourself? What exceptions have you put in place before you will allow God to use you in the capacity that he wants too? Maybe not exceptions what excuses?

V3. If God leads you to do something, he has already put thing in place before to meet those needs. Cut out your excuses just start trusting God to take care of things.

We must understand that Jesus is Everywhere, making preparations on purpose for every aspect of your life friend, you need to stop holding on to whatever it is that is keeping you from serving him with your life , or maybe you haven’t trusted him for your salvation.

John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

In the book of Acts Peter in speaking of the healing of a man :

Acts 4:9–12 “If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

The same Jesus who died for your salvation is the same Jesus who can heal you and straighten out your life. Whatever the situation is.

If Jesus is on purpose making preparations for his death, why can’t he make purposeful preparations for your life? His upcoming death is so that you can have Life! Trust the one who has given their life for you.

2. Prophetic Fulfillment

Matthew 21:4-7.

V4. Jesus’s 2 disciples went and did what he asked… No hesitation no excuse, they just took Jesus at his word and did what he has asked them to do.

There was a reason, so that the prophecy could be fulfilled!!!!

What is he asking you to do? Think about it…..

Have you ever considered that God is trying to use you to fulfill his will not only for your life but also so that someone else’s life could be impacted by him. God may be trying to use you to reach someone else, so that they could help to fulfill his will.

V5. This the prophecy Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.”

Notice it says having salvation…. The messiah is coming friends

V6-7. Their obedience being delivered. We have an opportunity like these two disciples, to tell the lost about the only one who can bring salvation!!!! Friends your obedience to God is literally a matter of life or death.

Their obedience to Jesus helped to deliver the Messiah, the King of Kings the Lord of Lords!!!! To fulfill what God sent him to do.

It also says lowly, another word for humble. Listen friends to receive Christ you have to humble your self, its not easy admitting that your a sinner. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” There is a Price to pay for it. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

If you know Christ already, you have the power to help change someone else’s life, by telling them about the gift of eternal life. We need to change our perspective, our viewpoint to Gods viewpoint, we have got to swallow our pride and realize that we can’t do this alone.

3. Proclamations and Perceptions 8-11

The disciples have fulfilled what Jesus has asked them To do and they have helped set the stage. Now he makes his entry taking the next steps in Gods will for him.

V8. People were excited, they couldn’t wait for him to come. They were laying out a pathway for him to enter in on. John 12:13 “Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

The significance of palm branches in Jewish culture is a symbol of victory triumph and glory. The were rolling out the red carpet for him so to speak….

Is this your attitude toward things of God? Do you look at Jesus as someone who keeps you from doing what you want? Or do you view welcome him as the Victor and King ruler of your life?

V9. They were shouting out in the streets proclaiming Jesus as King! The people were so Joyous and Happy, here he is the one who sent By God to save us….

Their perception of Jesus is off, they are thinking he is going to save them from Roman rule, that he is Going to liberate them governmentally.

Jesus did come to save, but not from the government he came to save us from our sin debt.

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Are you lost today? Do you feel like you don't know where you’re going? Are you tired of the way life has been beating you down?

V10-11. Still people didn’t know who he was… They didn’t recognize. They were questioning who he was..

In verse 11 Such a sad response to such a triumphant entry, “This is Jesus the prophet” Such a sad statement.

They failed to recognize that the Messiah has to come to them to save them. He was right there in front of them. It couldn’t get anymore obvious, they literally had a parade announcing his triumphant entry into their city. They have misunderstood his purpose for coming

Jesus is waiting for you, to come know him. start to build that relationship with him. Welcome him into your life, roll out the red carpet let your guard down and trust him with your eternity. There is no more important decision you could make. If you already done that, what is God asking you to do? Are you doing it? What steps are you taking to get there, what distractions are clouding your judgement? Are you ready to focus on him, and serve him? You may be the only things standing in the way of him and someone’s eternal destiny. Are you ready to take the next step and say i wanna be more than just the average Christian , i wanna serve him with my life.

The Steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord……