7 - A Lot Can Happen in 7 Days

The Week of Reckoning: Unraveling the Path to the Cross

SLIDE: Scripture Zechariah 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 NCV

9 Rejoice greatly, people of Jerusalem! Shout for joy, people of Jerusalem! Your king is coming to you. He does what is right, and he saves. He is gentle and riding on a donkey, on the colt of a donkey.

SLIDE: Open your Bibles to Matthew 21:1-11

Today we will looking primarily at Matthew 21:1-11 so please open your Bibles to Matthew 21:1-11 to follow along.

SLIDE: Title

Introduction

Once, I misplaced my eye glasses and spent a frantic 20-minutes looking for them, only to find them (right where the are now) on my face! That search made me late for week and a meeting. Just like misplaced faith, it was a silly distraction from what really mattered.

In our walk with Christ, we often put our trust in the wrong things - like jobs or relationships. True discipleship is all about unlocking that unwavering commitment to our faith, where we know exactly where our hearts and trust should lie.

Our talk today follows the week in which Jesus is celebrated as the Messiah on Palm Sunday, only to face betrayal and abandonment just days later. It starkly illustrates the human tendency to elevate and then reject. A lot can happen in 7 days. So, today I invite us to reflect on our own responses to Christ's claims over our lives.

Today, I want us to confront the reality of our faith—how we celebrate Jesus in good times but then may falter in trials.

A soldier goes into battle wearing the finest armor, confident and ready. But when a crisis strikes, if they falter or question their training, they forget their purpose.

Similarly, we may wear the armor of faith when everything is going well—praying, attending church, and praising God. Yet, when challenges arise, we might start to doubt our beliefs. We must confront this reality: genuine faith is not just a fair-weather companion but the assurance that carries us through every storm.

So the passage we’ll look at today is a journey from celebration to crucifixion. It reveals the dangers of misplaced faith and reminds us that true discipleship requires unwavering commitment to Christ, even amid societal disapproval or personal trials.

This story invites us to contrast the expectations of worldly power with the gentle humility embodied by Christ. The Christocentric focus is on how Jesus perfectly fulfills this prophecy, revealing the nature of His Kingdom — a kingdom characterized by peace and servitude. For the Jews this was not what they expected from their Messiah — NO WONDER THEY CRUCIFIED HIM!

As we reflect on whether our faith aligns with Zechariah’s vision, it challenges us to embrace humility in our walk with God, especially when societal norms tempt us towards pride.

Main Teaching

SLIDE: Unraveling the Path to the Cross

Unraveling the Path to the Cross

The timing of the Triumphal Entry chronicled in our story from Matthew 21 is significant, it occured during the Jewish festival of Passover, a time when Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims. The Passover commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, and Jesus' entry into Jerusalem during this time underscores His role as the ultimate deliverer. With that in mind let’s dive in:

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1. Promise of a Humble King

Zechariah was a prophet and a priest. He began his ministry in 520 B.C., The ministry of Zechariah takes place 18 years after returning from the Babylonian exile in the time of Cyrus. God’s people were discouraged. The book of Zechariah contains descriptions of visions concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple, the gathering of scattered Israel, and the triumph of Israel over its enemies. The book culminates in prophecies of the Savior’s mortal ministry and final return in glory.

When I was a kid, my parents promised to take me to a theme park if I improved my grades. I studied hard, and the day finally came! But instead of the big theme park, we ended up at a tiny local carnival. I was initially disappointed, but as I rode the Ferris wheel, I realized that the joy was in being with my family, not the grandiosity of the park.

Sometimes God's promises may look different than we expect, but they're just as fulfilling, if not more!

Our opening scripture from Zechariah 9:9. Is foretelling the coming of the King, humble and riding on a donkey.

The Jews of Jesus’ time were looking for the Messiah. They were expecting a conquering hero to deliver them from the bondage and percussion of a Roman military occupation. However, this is not the depiction we get from Zechariah’s prophecy — NO WONDER THEY CRUCIFIED HIM!

As we begin our exploration of Matthew 21 keep this expectation of the Jews in mind.

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2. Preparation and Prophetic Obedience

Matthew 21:1–5 NLT

1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” 4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ”

Here Jesus instructs His disciples to fetch a donkey. This part of the narrative highlights obedience and preparation. Jesus' actions were deliberate to fulfill prophecy underscores His sovereign purpose.

I remember attending a friend's surprise birthday party, thinking I was just going for a casual evening. Little did I know, my contribution was the icing on the cake!

Sometimes, even when we're called to a small role—like bringing a dessert—our obedience can lead to something beautiful. God calls us to prepare our hearts for the unexpected, and our part might be just what He needs!

We are called to prepare our hearts and respond in obedience, trusting in God's plans even when the path seems humble or unexpected. This point should encourage us to reflect on our openness to divine direction and on how our readiness to serve paves the way for experiencing Christ's presence in new ways.

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3. Public Praise and Personal Consistency

Matthew 21:6–9 NLT

6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”

As I stood on the streets one Easter, I watched a child wave a palm branch joyfully, her face alight with excitement. It reminded me of the scene of Jesus entering Jerusalem, surrounded by throngs cheering and celebrating His arrival.

Just like that child, our excitement and praise should overflow, welcoming Jesus into our hearts with as much enthusiasm as those first followers displayed. How often do we let our enthusiasm for Jesus shine through in our daily lives?

In Matthew 21:6–9, the joyous response of the crowds provides a stark contrast to later events. The enthusiasm with which the people welcomed Jesus with praise and palm branches was a moment of public acknowledgment of His kingship. This jubilant celebration echoes our potential for praise in times of joy. Yet, it's also a reminder of how easily public opinion can sway. A lot can happen in 7 days!

Remember Thomas Edison, who famously failed over a thousand times before inventing the light bulb. Each failure could have led him to give up, yet he remained committed to the goal.

Our spiritual devotion can often feel like a series of ups and downs, but like Edison, we must keep trying and stay dedicated to that light that Christ offers, even when the going gets tough and the spark dims momentarily.

The challenge for us is to maintain consistent devotion to Christ beyond mere moments of elation, readying ourselves to remain faithful, standing firm in commitment even when circumstances and emotions shift.

Conclusion

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4. Proclaiming Christ Amidst Confusion

Matthew 21:10–11 NLT

10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

In Matthew 21:10–11, Jerusalem is stirred, questioning, "Who is this?" This pivotal question invites to introspection and an opportunity to affirm personal belief amid public speculation and doubt.

Once at a family reunion on my mother’s side, everyone was sharing stories and jokes about their lives. But suddenly, Grandma, with twinkling eyes, asked, 'Who do you think I am?' Knowing her penchant for storytelling, everyone responded with light banter. Then, in a more serious tone, she added, 'But really, you need to know my story.'

Just like Grandma challenged us to recognize her true identity, Jesus prompts us to reflect on who He truly is in our lives – the ultimate source of our spiritual stories and identities.

As Jesus entered the city, the very question of His identity became a moment for personal reflection, reflecting how true discipleship demands recognizing and proclaiming Christ's lordship above all else.

I’ll say it again: This story invites us to contrast the expectations of worldly power with the gentle humility embodied by Christ. The Christocentric focus is on how Jesus perfectly fulfills this prophecy, revealing the nature of His Kingdom—a kingdom characterized by peace and servitude. As we reflect on whether our faith aligns with this vision, it challenges us to embrace humility in our walk with God, especially when societal norms tempt us towards pride.

Once we know Jesus’ story our hearts, minds and souls should yearn and ache with excitement to tell “the greatest story ever told. As we do this we speak out against the noise of the world.

SLIDE: Apply It

I encourage you to: Reaffirm Jesus as Lord amidst the noise and challenges of life—remaining steadfast in your confession despite societal shifts and pressures.

Amen!

Prayer