The Story of the Servant

The Triumphal Entry

Read Mark 11:1-11

This story, especially as Mark tells it, is anticlimactic:

Jesus decides to make his move during Passover—the new exodus!

Disciples proclaim Jesus king

Crowds join in the procession

The temple leaders are supposed to respond.

They ignore him completely.

We are not told exactly what everyone was thinking at the time, but we know what they were all expecting.

Read Mark 10:32-45

The disciples were expecting glory and acclamation. Jesus was expecting rejection, condemnation, and beatings. Why?

The Jews thought they were waiting for a new exodus.

Isaiah

God is KING and Israel is FORGIVEN—they can follow him NOW! (Is. 40:1-9, Mk. 1:1-3)

The Israelites don’t follow because they refuse to BELIEVE they are FORGIVEN. (Is. 63:17-64:1, 65:1-2; 48:17-21; Mark 1:15)

They cannot accept that they are the PROBLEM—and not the SOLUTION. (Is. 42:18-43:1, 45:9-13)

God will send a servant to TEACH them, but they will REJECT him. (Is. 42:1-7, 50:1-9; Mark 1:11)

The servant will take their DISCIPLINE and lead them to REPENTANCE. (Is. 53:4-6, 10-11; Mark 10:45)

Follow Jesus

We never have to WAIT for God’s forgiveness—his hands are ALWAYS OPEN. (Is. 49:15-16)

The obstacle is US—our refusal to DENY OURSELVES.

Jesus has made a way: we can share his DEATH and his VINDICATION. (Is. 53:10-11)