Untitled Sermon (7)

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World War I produced one of the most memorable images in American history: the U.S. Army recruiting poster that depicts a commanding Uncle Sam pointing his finger at the viewer and urging young men to enlist in the war effort. Painted by noted U.S. illustrator James Montgomery Flagg, the image first appeared on the cover of the July 6, 1916, issue of Leslie’s Weekly magazine with the title “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?” The U.S. would not declare war on Germany until April of the next year, but the storm signals were clear. The image was later adapted by the U.S. Army for the poster with the new, unforgettable call to action. More than 4 million copies of it were printed between 1917 and 1918.

As aforementioned, the man behind this piece of art was illustrator James Montgomery Flagg. His inspiration for Uncle Sam was a combination of historical symbolism and personal convenience; he used his own likeness to save on model costs, adding a touch of authenticity and urgency to the character’s stern, pointing gesture.

The impact of the poster was immediate and profound. It wasn’t just a call to arms; it became a symbol of American patriotism, urging citizens to contribute to the war effort in any way they could. The poster’s design, with Uncle Sam dressed in stars and stripes, pointing directly at the viewer, was a masterstroke of persuasive art. It personalized the recruitment message, making each viewer feel individually addressed and responsible for the country’s fate. “Uncle Sam needs you!”

We here this story this morning… and the reality is, the United States, did well to connect the need for each young man to step to the plate… For each American to do their part in preparing for the war ahead…

What about us this morning? In times of change, how do we do at rising to the occasion? I’m reminded of the Japanese attack on pearl harbor, Americans were up in arms and ready for retaliation, there was the idea that Japan had ”Awoke a sleeping giant,” in response to 9/11, many of you can remember exactly where you were in those exact moments, the day of Tuesday, September 11, 2001… Many of you recall I’m sure either getting a phone call from a loved one, or watching the morning news, to watch both world trade centers be tragically attacked.

You see, we respond well to things that happen in our lives… On a lesser note, for many of you, next Sunday, you’ll have guests join you for Easter Supper. Maybe your kids, maybe your parents, maybe just your spouse, or maybe even just a friend… you’ll probably (hopefully) be with ones that are close to you next Sunday… and in anticipation of this meal, you’ll have to make preparations for the guests… You’ll buy a ham? Anyone do turkey? Anything else? Brisket maybe?

There are things that we do, in anticipation of the coming guests…

What about you this morning in your relationship with Christ? How are you preparing for his coming?

I’m reminded of the words of Matthew 24:42-44 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Are we ready this morning? Church, the king has come... and the king is still to come…

If this is the case, what are things that we must do in our lives today, in preparation for his coming? If you have your bibles, turn with me to the book of Matthew 21… as you’re turning there. 3 sermon points in preparation for his coming. The Lord needs you to 1. Make Preparations 2. To be meek 3. Worship.

1. The Lord needs you to Make Preparations

If you have your bibles turn with me to Matthew 21:1-3 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

As we look to the scripture this morning. we understand Jesus has recently completed a 15-mile journey from Jericho to Jerusalem, which was an ascent of 3,400 feet in elevation and likely would have taken 6 to 8 hours to complete. And he’s followed by a massive crowd.

You see many had made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration that week. Jerusalem would have about 2 million people present. It would be like Washington DC on inauguration day… there’s an influx of people in the city of Jerusalem.

And what we also know is that the practice, was on the 10th day of the first month of the year… according to the Hebrew calendar that was Nisan 10 (Nisan meaning "barley ripening" or "spring season" and originally was the word Aviv, and later changed to Nisan…) but on this day, The Israelites would select a lamb, then for the next 4 days take care of the lamb until its sacrifice on Nisan 14.

Many theologians in fact believe that Jesus would have entered Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate on the 10th day of Nisan, ultimately signifying that Jesus would go on to be the Lamb that was slain.

In the year that Jesus was crucified, Nisan 10 fell on Monday. With the 14th of Nisan falling on Friday. And so many theologians believe his triumphal entry historically wasn’t on palm Sunday but on Monday. By placing the Triumphal entry on Monday, it also chronologically eliminates the problem of gospels having no record of Jesus activity on Wednesday of that Holy week. (look into it more on your own.)

‌But again, Jesus is in Jerusalem. During the holy week of Passover along with likely 2 Million other people. And there’s an estimated 100,000 that are here that will actually witness this triumphal entry.

The bible says: 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

We notice in the scripture the Jesus and his disciples come to Bethphage on the mount of olives, and Jesus would send 2 of his disciples (we’re not told which ones, but 2 are sent) to retrieve the donkey and the colt. 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.

And we notice a subtle, but profound detail in this scripture. The mother donkey is here, along with her young colt. Jesus, here shortly, would go on to ride the colt…. But he doesn’t separate the 2… even in the minor details, we see the love and heart of Christ.Where he keeps the mother present with the foal, present with the colt… He only needs one… right?! He’s not going to ride both, but he keeps the 2 together. He’s concerned even with the small details. And for us this morning, this is an encouragement, that if he’s concerned with the details of the donkeys, friends, he is concerned with the details in our lives too.

Goes on to say: 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” As we watched earlier this morning in the chosen video, Jesus had anticipated the crowd questioning the disciples…

Mark 11:4-6 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.

But here’s what I want us to lean into for a moment, vs 3 says: 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.

This event was entirely about Jesus, Jesus… This entry was about Jesus, but he used his disciples to play a key part… That Thursday evening, Jesus would go on to ask Peter and John to also make preparations. This time, it would be during the Passover meal. Or the last supper…

Luke 22:7-14 7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

In the scripture to follow, Jesus would go on to share in the last supper with his disciples, or the communion supper as we so often celebrate.

But here’s the key… Jesus would use his disciples; he would use Peter and John to make preparations… He would use his disciples, to prepare for what was ahead.

I think of us this morning, church, the Lord’s desire is for you to make preparations for him. Maybe that’s in giving up areas of sin in your life… leaving your past self behind and finding freedom in Christ…. Maybe that’s in giving of your self more to the Lord, perhaps financially, maybe its serving in a new capacity at church or in some sort of ministry…

Church, the Lord’s desire is to use you… would we be prepared for what He wants to do?

2. The Lord needs you meek

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

As we go back to the scripture, we notice in verse 4 and 5

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Here, Matthew is referencing Zechariah 9:9: Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

500 years earlier, Zechariah, would write of the future coming of Christ. Who’s noted as the 1. coming king who is 2. Righteous who is 3. Victorious, who is 4. lowly. This word, lowly: means humility, or meekness.

Isaiah 53:3-4 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Came to serve, not be served. Came to seek and save the lost.

You see, What’s interesting is this is Jesus… He could have used any animal he wanted. At the time, it was customary for royalty to attend their coronations on more prominent animals. Royalty would be expected to ride on horses, or perhaps camels, or in some culture’s elephants… and yet, here is Jesus…

5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle (lowly) and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Jesus chose to use the lowly donkey… he chose to ride in on a beast of burden… showing his humility… Jesus even up until his death, showed his compassion.

I wonder about us today… How would others describe us? Would you be described as gentle? Would you be described as humble? As meek? As loving?

You see I’m reminded of an article I came across this week that explains the following… A fistful of black letters flicker atop the pale-yellow background. The sign is broken, but few care. Because they are broken too. There is a place, like God and grandmother’s house, where the door is always open. You may find better food elsewhere, but you won’t find better food for the money. They have a menu, though I have never needed it.

When you sit down at the table or the bar you will likely be greeted by someone who calls you “honey,” or “sugar,” or “baby,” or sometimes “boss.” But you will be greeted, and usually with a smile. And by someone who knows what it means to work long and hard for very little.

Some of them are working their way through college. Some of them are single parents trying to pay the rent and keep the lights on at home. Some are ex-cons trying to hold down a job by wiping tables and desperately trying to believe the rumors of second chances.

On any given day there might be a family of five seated near you with three small children scarfing down jellied toast and scrambled eggs. They’re here because the food is cheap and sometimes dad doesn’t want mom to have to cook after working twelve hours at the shirt factory. On one side of you will be three bikers and a war veteran swapping stories. On the other side will be an elderly couple who come every Thursday night. They come just to hear the voices. Their own kids have long since stopped visiting, and they’ve already buried all of their other friends.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you’ve come from, you are welcome here. Strait-laced or strung out. In blue jeans, a business suit, or pajamas. No one is turned away.

Waffle House may not be a church, but many of our churches could stand to learn a few things about open arms and second chances from this wild, wayside diner.

We hear this story… does anyone like waffle house? I love the last line… many churches could stand to learn a few things about open arms and second chances… about humility… About Meekness.

Friends, would that be true of us… Would that be our anthem and our approach this morning…

3. The Lord needsyou to Worship

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

For the sake of time, we’ll just touch on this last point. But what we notice is that Jesus would ride on the donkey… as the crowd would throw their garments out on the road in front of Jesus.

At the time, the custom was for the people to throw their garments out for their monarchy to ride over, symbolizing respect and authority.

9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven! And “Blessed is the king of Israel!”

The Crowds would gather, the magnitude there was… and they would wave Palm branches… symbolizing victory… they would shout the words “hosanna” or “save now…” and the crowd failed to realize who Jesus truly was… Many looked to Jesus to be their savior from roman oppression and worldly troubles… but didn’t realize that this was Jesus the promised Messiah from the New Testament, who brought, true freedom… who brought life…

Still, they shouted, “Hosanna” They cried out in expectation, and anticipation, of saving...

Just days later, when he failed to measure up to their expectations right away… this same crowd would be yelling crucify him… They would go on to whip him, they would reject him, they would despise him… they would turn their back on him… and yet he would selflessly go to the cross, carrying their guilt and their shame…

I wonder about us today. When our expectations of what Jesus should, or shouldn’t do in our lives… when it doesn’t make sense, when we don’t understand, when we’re hurting…. How do we respond?

Friends, would we always be people that worship well.

Call the worship team up at this time…

Maybe just read Luke 19:28-39

Friend, today… God doesn’t need you, but he desires you… He could speak through a stone, he could speak through a donkey, like he did with baalam. But his desire today is to receive your worship…

Would we respond with the right heart?

· How is the Lord speaking to you today?

· Preparing your heart

· Humility

Pray