The Path to Promise

The New International Version Chapter 19

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Luke 19:28-40

Main idea: This sermon encourages believers to follow God's divine direction, confront challenges with faith, and commit to living a life that reflects Christ's sacrifice.

Scripture: 'Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord needs it.' (Luke 19:30-31)

Quote: We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. —A.W. Tozer

Introduction

In his book, Up from Slavery, Booker T. Washington tells of meeting an ex-slave from Virginia who exemplified the kind of sacrifice that is sometimes involved in keeping promises. This man had entered a contract with his master whereby he would be allowed to purchase freedom for himself by paying so much for so many years to his master. And, while he was earning the money to pay for himself, his master released him from service on his plantation, so that he would be able to labor wherever and for whomever he could earn the most money.

Well, the slave went north to Ohio because the wages were better there. But each year, he would return to his master’s plantation to present that year’s payment to his master. After a few years, the Nation was embroiled in the Civil War, and President Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation which ended slavery and brought freedom to all the slaves, including this man. But he still owed his master three hundred dollars.

Now, think about this for a minute. This former slave was free. He didn’t have to pay his former master the final three hundred dollars to purchase his freedom—-he had already been made free by the Emancipation Proclamation. But he had made a promise. And he was a man of his word. And so, he walked from Ohio back to Virginia and presented his former master with the full amount he had promised him, down to the last dollar.

Jesus, our Master was epitomized this story in His commitment to His Fathers will. In our text today we have the record of Him riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as crowds wave palm branches and shout "Hosanna!" This moment represents both celebration and the beginning of Holy Week's journey toward the cross and resurrection. A story of our God keeping His Promise.

Today, we turn our attention to the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 19, verses 28-40:

"After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord needs it.' Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, 'Why are you untying the colt?' They replied, 'The Lord needs it.' They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!' Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, 'Teacher, rebuke your disciples!' 'I tell you, ‘He replied, 'if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'"

Today, we will reflect on three main points from this passage: Choosing the Divine Direction, Confronting the Challenges on the Path, and Commitment to the Cross. As we engage with God's Word, may we be encouraged, edified, and equipped to walk in the path that He has laid before us.

Choosing the Divine Direction

In the passage from Luke, we see Jesus making a deliberate decision. He is heading towards Jerusalem, fully aware of what awaits Him there. This is not a random or haphazard journey, but a purposeful movement towards the fulfillment of His divine mission. It's a choice made with complete clarity and conviction. This is a powerful reminder for us. In our own lives, we are often faced with decisions, crossroads, and turning points. It's easy to feel overwhelmed or uncertain. But here, we see the value of seeking God's guidance and aligning our choices with His divine direction.

Let's consider the moment when Jesus instructs His disciples to find a colt. This might seem like a small detail, but it's significant. Jesus knew exactly what He needed and where to find it. He didn't stumble upon the colt by chance. He didn't send His disciples on a wild goose chase. He sent them with specific instructions, and they found exactly what He had described. This shows us that God's direction is not vague or ambiguous. It's precise and clear. When we seek His guidance, He can lead us to exactly what we need, even if it seems unlikely or impossible.

Then, we see the disciples' response. They didn't question Jesus' instructions. They didn't hesitate or doubt. They simply obeyed. They went to the village, found the colt, and brought it to Jesus. Their obedience is a testament to their trust in Jesus. They believed in His words and followed His instructions, even without knowing the full picture. This is a lesson for us. Trusting in God's direction often requires us to step out in faith, to obey even when we don't understand, to follow even when the path ahead seems uncertain.

Next, consider the owners of the colt. When they saw the disciples untying the colt, they could have objected. They could have resisted or refused. But when the disciples told them, "The Lord needs it," they allowed them to take the colt. This shows us that God's direction can sometimes involve others in unexpected ways. It reminds us to be open and responsive to God's work in our lives, even when it disrupts our plans or challenges our expectations.

Finally, let's reflect on the crowd's reaction. As Jesus rode on the colt, the people spread their cloaks on the road and began to praise God. They recognized Jesus as their king and welcomed Him with joy and reverence. This shows us that recognizing and responding to God's direction can lead to moments of profound worship and celebration. It reminds us that following God's path can bring us into deeper communion with Him and with each other.

In all these moments, we see the power and promise of choosing the divine direction. It's not always easy. It's not always straightforward. But it's always worth it. Because God's direction leads us towards His purposes, His promises, and His presence. It invites us into a life of faith, obedience, and worship. It challenges us to trust in His guidance, to follow His instructions, and to participate in His work. And in doing so, it transforms us, shapes us, and draws us closer to Him.

Confronting Challenges on the Path

As we continue to reflect on this passage, we find ourselves walking alongside Jesus and his disciples as they navigate the path towards Jerusalem. This path, as we will see, is not without its challenges. It's a path that requires courage, faith, and a steadfast commitment to God's will.

The first challenge we encounter is the challenge of uncertainty. The disciples, following Jesus' instructions, go ahead to the village to find a colt. They don't know what awaits them there. They don't know how the owners of the colt will react. They don't know if they will be met with hostility or acceptance. Yet, they press on, trusting in Jesus' words and in the divine plan. This is a lesson for us all. In our own lives, we too face the unknown. We too must navigate the uncertainties of life. But like the disciples, we can find comfort and courage in the knowledge that we are not alone. God is with us, guiding us, and equipping us to face whatever lies ahead.

The second challenge we see in this passage is the challenge of opposition. As Jesus and his disciples make their way towards Jerusalem, they are met with resistance from the Pharisees. These religious leaders, threatened by Jesus' message and his growing popularity, attempt to silence the disciples' joyful praises. But Jesus, in his wisdom and authority, silences their objections, declaring that even the stones would cry out in praise if the disciples were to keep quiet. This too is a challenge we often face. There will always be those who oppose us, who try to silence us, who resist the message of God's love and grace. But like Jesus, we must stand firm in our faith, confident in the truth of God's Word, and unyielding in the face of opposition.

The third challenge presented in this passage is the challenge of sacrifice. The people who lined the streets, throwing their cloaks on the ground before Jesus, were making a sacrifice. Their cloaks were valuable possessions, essential for warmth and protection. Yet, they willingly laid them down as a sign of respect and reverence for Jesus. This act of sacrifice is a powerful reminder of the cost of discipleship. Following Jesus often requires us to lay down our own desires, our own comfort, our own plans, in order to pursue God's will.

Continuing, we see another challenge in the form of humility. Riding on a colt, Jesus presents himself not as a mighty warrior, but as a humble servant. This is a stark contrast to the expectations of many who were looking for a Messiah to overthrow the Roman oppressors. Jesus' humility challenges our own perceptions of power and greatness. It reminds us that true greatness in the kingdom of God is not about power or prestige, but about service and sacrifice.

Finally, we see the challenge of perseverance. Despite the opposition, despite the challenges, Jesus continues his path towards Jerusalem. He does not waver; he does not turn back. He remains steadfast in his mission, committed to fulfilling God's plan. This perseverance is a call to us as well. In our own walk with God, we will face challenges. We will face opposition. But like Jesus, we are called to persevere, to stay the course, and to remain faithful to the call God has placed on our lives.

Commitment to the Cross

Commitment to the Cross, this is the final destination of our reflection today. It's the culmination of Christ's earthly ministry and the ultimate demonstration of His love for us. It's the place where our redemption was bought at a price we could never pay. But what does it mean for us to be committed to the Cross? How does this commitment shape our lives and our faith?

Firstly, let's consider the significance of the Cross. The Cross is more than a symbol; it's a statement of God's love and a testament to His grace. It's the place where sin and salvation met, where death was defeated, and life was given. It's the cornerstone of our faith and the foundation of our hope. In the words of the Apostle Paul, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14). Our commitment to the Cross, then, is a commitment to live in the light of this truth, to embrace the grace it offers, and to share the hope it brings.

Secondly, our commitment to the Cross calls us to a life of self-denial. Jesus Himself said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). This is not a call to a life of comfort and ease, but to a life of sacrifice and service. It's a call to put aside our own desires and ambitions, to lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel. It's a call to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, who "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:7-8).

Thirdly, our commitment to the Cross is a commitment to the Gospel. The Gospel, or the "good news" of Jesus Christ, is the message of the Cross. It's the message that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Our commitment to the Cross, then, is a commitment to share this good news with others. It's a commitment to be ambassadors for Christ, to spread the love and grace of God wherever we go.

Finally, our commitment to the Cross is a commitment to hope. The Cross is not the end of the story. Yes, it's the place where Jesus died, but it's also the place where He defeated death. It's the place where our hope was born. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:17, 20). Our commitment to the Cross, then, is a commitment to live in the light of this hope, to hold fast to the promise of eternal life, and to share this hope with a world in desperate need of it.

So, as we reflect on our commitment to the Cross, let's ask ourselves: Are we living in the light of the Cross? Are we embracing the grace it offers? Are we sharing the hope it brings? Are we taking up our cross daily and following Jesus? Let's commit ourselves anew to the Cross, to the Gospel, and to the hope of our Savior. Let's live our lives in such a way that the world can see Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

Conclusion

As always it has been a pleasure to preach and teach today, its Palm Sunday and every born-again believer ought to have a praise on their lips. Blessed is the King who cometh in the name of the Lord. Isn’t He Alright! God has done so much for us a race of people until the cry ought to be, Hosanna, Hosanna, Blessed is the King, who cometh in the Name of the Lord! Glory! He brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light! Oh Glory! Made a way when there seemed like it was no way! Isn’t He alright! Saved us when we couldn’t save ourselves! Glory! Blessing us right now! Oh Glory! However, the most wonderful thing that He did for us is, One Friday, He went to hill called Calvary, and died, Died from the sixth til the ninth hour………………