Ministering to the Lord

Scripture

Matthew 21:1–11 NKJV

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Psalm 116:12 NKJV

What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me?

Introduction

Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead. They seek to now kill both Lazarus and Jesus.

John 12:9-19

It’s passover season and thousands gather to celebrate the day that death passed over Israel. Little did they know that this year they would witness the true passover lamb. But, Jesus did. He is entering a city not with fanfare on his mind but most likely with sacrifice and stress.

While the crowd rejoices with excitement for the one who raises men from the dead, He is faced with the reality of his impending death. Jesus is not just headed into Jerusalem. He is headed toward the cross.

So many emotions

A. The Joy set before Him Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

B. The abandonment that arrested Him Matthew 27:46

Matthew 27:46 NKJV

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

C. The depression that drenched Him Matthew 26:38

Matthew 26:38 NKJV

Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

D. The weight that awaited Him Isaiah 53:11

Isaiah 53:11 NKJV

He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

His calling is clear. But his path is precarious. He is about to soon enter into his passion. Zechariah 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 NKJV

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.

And Now the crowd proclaims his true identity Hosana! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. While Jesus’s heart has many emotions and although the scene would quickly change they ministered to him. And now a question is raised. What does it mean to minister to the Lord?

The they had come to minister to our king who has come to ministered to us Matthew 20:28

Matthew 20:28 NKJV

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

I. With Our Lips

To minister to the Lord is an intentional and deliberate love

It means to :

Worship

Honor Him for simply who He is

When was the last we just sat in his presence?

Psalm 27:4 NKJV

One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.

The people were simply doing what mankind was created for.

Isaiah 43:7 NKJV

Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

Psalm 22:3 NKJV

But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

Shabach (shaw-bakh) means to praise with a shout, in a loud voice, or triump, often in the Psalms. It is a loud voiceiferous, and confident expression of adoration . It proclaims the power of God.

Psalm 63:3 NKJV

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise (Shabach) You.

Psalm 145:4 NKJV

One generation shall praise (Shabach) Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.

Psalm 117:1

Psalm 117:1 NKJV

Praise (Shabach) the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!

Psalm 47:1 NKJV

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph (Shabach)!

Isaiah 12:6 NKJV

Cry out and shout (Shabach) For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!”

Other instances include: 1 Chronicles 16:35, Psalm 65:7, Psalm 89:9, Psalm 106:47, Psalm 147:12, Proverbs 29:11, and Ecclesiastes 4:2, 8:15. 

II. With Our Limbs

The primary Hebrew word for praise by extending the hands is Yadah (יָדָה), worship, revere, or give thanks particularly with raised or extended hands .Comes from the root word for "hand" (yad𝑦𝑎𝑑), it represents an active, outward posture of surrender, agreement, or celebration.

Definition:  It Means to hold out or throw the hands forward, indicating adoration or confession.

Like they lifted their leaves we lifted our hands today.

Psalm 63:4 (Yadah/Lifestyle): "So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands (yadah) in Your name".

Psalm 63:4 NKJV

Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

III. With Our Lives

Psalm 146:2 NKJV

While I live I will praise (Halal) the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Romans 12:1–2 NKJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Hebrews 13:15–16 NKJV

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 NIV

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.