06) Palm Sunday - The Arrival of the King
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We have been preparing our hearts for the arrival of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We have examined five themes the are revealed in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. Without God’s plan of salvation, through the sacrifice of the son, these would not be recieved by the saints in their fulness.
Forgiveness, Love, Righteousness, Life, and Unity
Each of these messages were to prepare ourselves to look to the moment that all hope resides. The moment when the lost are found, when the captives are set free, when the unrighteous become righteous, when the slave is set free, and when the greatness of God’s love is revealed and recieved by those who believe in the events of this week.
Probably one of the most recognized weeks of the Christian calendar. Many call it Holy week. Starting today on Palm Sunday where Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for the passover celebration filled with great excitement and expectation. Moving towards Good Friday, where the light has seem to vanish. The moment where Jesus cries you “It is finished” breaths his last and passes from the living to the dead. Where hope has seem to vanish right before their eyes.
And ending on Sunday with great rejoicing for he has risen from the dead. Death could not hold him. He has been seen, he has returned. This is a familiar week for many. A week that can seem repetitive and redundant but I can promise you that if you are prepared you will not leave here unaffected.
Today we are going going to turn to John Chapter 12 and look at Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord —the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: 15 Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt. 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. 17 Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify. 18 This is also why the crowd met him, because they heard he had done this sign.
The Crowd
The Crowd
12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
The city of Jerusalem has swelled in size as the Jews have traveled from far and wide to come to the Holy City and celebrate Passover. Depending on the estimates, the population is in the hundreds of thousands, with over half of the city as visitors to the city to celebrate.
The passover festival where the Hebrews would come together in order to celebrate and remember God’s work in freeing them from slavery in Egypt.
For somewhere around 1400 years the Jews had been celebrating the passover. The US is 250 years old.
But this passover is different than others. There is a buzz in the air, an excitement, anticipation like something great is going to happen.
Why is there this excitement? If you were to ask around you may hear. Well, there is this man that has been doing amazing things. He has healed the sick, made the lame walk, the blind have been given sight. He has feed thousands with the smallest portion of food. He has cast out demons. Calmed storms. Walked on water. He has even raised a man from the dead. You know Lazarus.
He is a friend of sinners, speaks with Samaritans, and loves the little children. He even rebukes the religious leaders. He has called them a brood of vipers, hypocrites, blind guides and fools, an whitewashed tombs.
He speaks and teaches with boldness as one with authority. He confounds the religious leaders even as they plot to kill him. His words are pure, he does not lie, he does not seek to exalt himself but instead takes the position of a servant.
He does and says the craziest things.
He claims to be equal to God.
58 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”
18 This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.
Not only that he claims to be the Messiah that we have been waiting for.
25 The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Jesus told her, “I, the one speaking to you, am he.”
That he has the authority to forgive sin.
5 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
He claims to have power of Life, Resurrection, and Judgement
21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom he wants. 22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son,
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.
He accepts worship like he is God.
38 “I believe, Lord!” he said, and he worshiped him.
He says he is the Son of God.
36 ... because I said: I am the Son of God?
He says he is the only way of salvation
35 “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again. 36 But as I told you, you’ve seen me, and yet you do not believe. 37 Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me but should raise them up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Not only has he done all of the miracles that draw attention, he claims great things that go against much that they believed. For three years, this man has turned the world on its head. He has a mark on his head. The religious leaders hate him.
55 Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the country to purify themselves before the Passover. 56 They were looking for Jesus and asking one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? He won’t come to the festival, will he?” 57 The chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it so that they could arrest him.
The people followed him everywhere and so this year feels different. Like many people who hear about what Jesus does in peoples lives they are curious and want to know more. They have heard what he has done for others and so they show up expecting their own desires and need to be met. The first thing we notice this day is the crowd that has come to meet the Jesus as he enters the city.
The Crowd’s King
The Crowd’s King
13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord —the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: 15 Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt. 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. 17 Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify. 18 This is also why the crowd met him, because they heard he had done this sign.
People gather for many reasons. We are not unaccustomed to them here in our city. From Blooms Day to Hoop Fest we know what it is like to have people from far and wide come to our city for an event. But today we see many gathering in support or against something that is going on in the world or country around them.
If you walked up to a large crowd, how do you determine why they are there. You listen to the cry of the crowd. You hear what they are saying and watch what they are doing.
You determine the cry of the crowd. Why have they gathered to greet Jesus? First we listen to their words.
Cry of Salvation
Cry of Salvation
They shouted: Hosanna. Hosanna. The word comes from the Hebrew word that means to save, to deliver. They chant this as they quote a Psalm of victory.
25 Lord, save us! Lord, please grant us success! 26 He who comes in the name of the Lord is blessed. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The cry out that Jesus will save them from the plight that they are in. He will be their rescue and savior. What do they want to be saved from. It is the Roman authority. At this time they have been under the Romans for multiple generations between 90-100 years. It is likely no one here remembers a time without the Romans being in charge. They want out. They want to be free. They want to be saved. They want to be rescued.
13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord —the King of Israel!”
They reveal that Jesus is the answer to their largest problems. That he has come to remove the heavy yoke of oppression that is the Romans, as their King.
8 Many people spread their clothes on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!
Garments of Honor
Garments of Honor
The crowd takes their cloaks and clothes and spread them on the road. This was a practice that was not unique to the Jews. When kings would return from conquest or enter into a city. There would be a large display of power and people would bow down before the king and lay down offerings or garments. This was to honor the king and humble the man. It was recognition, publicly, of who had arrived.
13 Each man quickly took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. They blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”
In some ways this is similar to rolling out the read carpet for someone. A statement that this person walks a special path and is to be honored above all others.
Palm Branches of Victory
Palm Branches of Victory
They lay out palm branches that would have symbolizes victory and triumph. Palm branches were given to victors of athletic competitions and military conquests. During the feast of tabernacles the Jews would wave palms like these.
40 On the first day you are to take the product of majestic trees—palm fronds, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.
9 After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.
Proclamation of a New King
Proclamation of a New King
They also chant that the king has arrived. What has been whispered of but not proclaimed before this is that Jesus is the awaited king that will save the Jews.
He comes from the right line.
1 An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
Born in the right town.
42 Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Messiah comes from David’s offspring and from the town of Bethlehem, where David lived?”
2 Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.
Acknowledged as king as a child.
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”
Recognized by the disciples.
49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!”
Confirmed by the Scriptures.
9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The public proclamation has been made.
The crowd has made a very public statement. They know that the Romans crush any who would oppose or threaten their rule. They know that the religious leaders are looking for any way that they can end the life of Jesus and put this nuisance away once and for all.
But the crowds has publically proclaimed that they believe he will bring victory. Victory over who? The Romans.
They have cried out save us. Save us from who? The Romans.
They have claimed that a new kingdom has come in the line of David that the king has come. But this would mean that the Jews would have to be freed from the Romans.
The Humble King
The Humble King
In the next week, this excitement would be completely destroyed. Instead of shouts of save us, they will turn to shouts of crucify him.
Jesus quietly entered into the city on a humble colt of a donkey without beating of the chest or great shouts of triumph for his battle had not yet been finished. There was still work to be done. There were foes to face and battles to be had.
This king that was honored with palm branches would fight the battle alone, without weapon, or chariot, without backup or reinforcements. His final battle would pass through betrayal, rejection, persecution, accusation, humiliation, abandonment, and execution. His battle would be to stand before God almighty and have the sin of the world be put on his account. To receive the full cup of wrath for the sins of each and every person whom God gives the right to be children of God.
This king would be nailed to the tree with a sign over his head that reads “King of the Jews” and he would pray to the father and take his final breath where he would proclaim victory “It is Finished”
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.
In three day he will rise again and Death is no more
54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
The king has entered into the throne room.
7 And about the angels he says: He makes his angels winds, and his servants a fiery flame, 8 but to the Son: Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
Where he will reign forever and ever.
17 For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; he will guide them to springs of the waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
They were desperate for their King to arrive. They pleaded with God for him to arrive. And when he showed up he wasn’t what they expected. He wasn’t what they hoped for. But he was what they truly needed.
In Christ there was salvation. In Christ there was freedom. In Christ there was victory. In Christ there was redemption.
3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
In Christ there is entrance to the kingdom of God where we will reign with him forever.
1 Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, 3 and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Conclusion
Conclusion
There has always been a crowd seeking to be saved. I drive to work and most days there are people in the walkways over the freeway that have all sorts of public proclamations of what must change of what oppression must be no more. Save us from the rich or the poor. Save us from the left or the right from the blue or the read. From the white or the black. From capitalism or socialism. vegans and the meat eaters. From the climate activists or the gas car drivers.
Those that are in the kingdoms of this world always cry out to be saved. Save us, is a chant in different words that are heard on the airways, and in the pod casts, and around dinner tables at night. But just like the Jews greeting Jesus as he enters, they really don’t want a king. They didn’t want Jesus to rule them, they wanted Jesus to remove the Romans rule. They wanted like many do today to go back to the way that seems right to those who want to live in their sin.
25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.
Those that want to be sovereign today, with no authority over them. The natural order of the flesh. The rejection of authority because we want to be our own king. But if you make everyone king then who rules?
But there are those that belong to another kingdom.
36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
This week we saw another time of “No Kings” protests across our nation and even in Spokane. Thousands gather to protest against what they believe is abuse of power and authority. This is natural for the flesh. Who hear wakes up in the morning craving that someone will oppress them today or that will control or dictate you life. That will take away your freedoms. None of us want that naturally.
But for the Christian, our King has come. He has saved us and redeemed us. Brought us into the kingdom and he sits on his throne.
1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We have a king and he is good. He has finished the battle, won every victory and we have the privilege of being his people.
Do we live like those that cried out Hosanna? Wanting Jesus to make our life in this world easy? Wanting him to perform in the ways that we desire?
Or do we live for the King of Kings. Do we enter his courts with praise and life to serve the only true King. Jesus our Lord.
7 Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in.
Let us pray
Benediction
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
