Matthew 21

Today is what we call Palm Sunday. We were celebrating an event.

Matthew makes a point of connecting the dots for the people:

Matthew 21:4–5 NIV

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “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.’ ”

So this was a kingly prophesy. But you notice a bit of a miss with the people - THEY are saying ‘Oh ya, this is jesus! He’s a prophet!’

This event was supposed to be people receiving their king. But the truth is… it was a little less than that.

Hosanna meant ‘save us’ - the people meant ‘benefit us’

These people who were shouting praises one day, were shouting insults a week later.

We’ve talked about the idea of how the jewish people wanted this warrior messiah.

Jesus spent the week really drilling in how different what he was bringing was from what they expected.

Jesus at the temple

Pharisees challinging his authority in the temple

The destruction of the temple

We are invited to Worship Jesus

So much of what Jesus talked about in the week between palm sunday and easter boils down to ‘here’s why it’s so important to actually worship and serve God’.

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

This act of ‘sacrifice’ is what real and honest worship is. We can shout hosanna, and sing praises, and waive palm branches. But we also need to surrender our expectations, our futures, our plans. And say - Jesus , YOU are king.

Because we haven’t been invited just to talk about how Jesus is a nice guy. Or compliment his house. or the new chairs in his house. We’ve been invited to WORSHIP him.

John 1:12 NIV

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

This is what Jesus invites us to. Worshipping him, receiving him, and being called children of God.