The Crowd or the Cross?
The Road to Easter Part 3 • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 216 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction:
As we continue on our journey on the road to Easter, we have asked the questions “Is Jesus worth the worship or is it a waste of time?” and “Do I view Jesus as a great teacher (Rabbi) or is He my Lord and Savior?” How have you answered these questions so far on our journey? The answers to these questions will give you a great insight into your personal spiritual experience and view of Jesus Christ and Christianity.
This morning we will take a look at another snapshot from Jesus’ road to the cross, the tomb, and the resurrection. Turn in your Bibles to:
1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.
2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me.
3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,
5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ”
6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”
10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
, Jesus Enters Jerusalem Triumphantly
Body:
There are a few interesting things here to take note of. First of all:
I. By His grand entrance Jesus is claiming to be the King of the Jews.
I. By His grand entrance Jesus is claiming to be the King of the Jews.
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read:
19 And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
Illustration: Lebron James/The Decision TV special for him to make an important statement. Jesus was making an important statement to all.
6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.
6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.
Verse 6
II. The crowd recognized Jesus as the Messiah. They accepted His claim.
II. The crowd recognized Jesus as the Messiah. They accepted His claim.
So how do we know the people recognized and accepted Jesus’ claim as the Messiah? Turn with me to:
1 Meanwhile, Elisha the prophet had summoned a member of the group of prophets. “Get ready to travel,” he told him, “and take this flask of olive oil with you. Go to Ramoth-gilead,
2 and find Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. Call him into a private room away from his friends,
3 and pour the oil over his head. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you to be the king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run for your life!”
4 So the young prophet did as he was told and went to Ramoth-gilead.
5 When he arrived there, he found Jehu sitting around with the other army officers. “I have a message for you, Commander,” he said. “For which one of us?” Jehu asked. “For you, Commander,” he replied.
6 So Jehu left the others and went into the house. Then the young prophet poured the oil over Jehu’s head and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anoint you king over the Lord’s people, Israel.
7 You are to destroy the family of Ahab, your master. In this way, I will avenge the murder of my prophets and all the Lord’s servants who were killed by Jezebel.
8 The entire family of Ahab must be wiped out. I will destroy every one of his male descendants, slave and free alike, anywhere in Israel.
9 I will destroy the family of Ahab as I destroyed the families of Jeroboam son of Nebat and of Baasha son of Ahijah.
10 Dogs will eat Ahab’s wife Jezebel at the plot of land in Jezreel, and no one will bury her.” Then the young prophet opened the door and ran.
11 Jehu went back to his fellow officers, and one of them asked him, “What did that madman want? Is everything all right?” “You know how a man like that babbles on,” Jehu replied.
12 “You’re hiding something,” they said. “Tell us.” So Jehu told them, “He said to me, ‘This is what the Lord says: I have anointed you to be king over Israel.’ ”
13 Then they quickly spread out their cloaks on the bare steps and blew the ram’s horn, shouting, “Jehu is king!”
: Jehu is made king and people throw their cloaks down as a red carpet.
Jehu is made king and people throw their cloaks down as a red carpet.
In the Bible (John) Palm trees represented the best of the best.
12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
Psalms the righteous will flourish like a palm tree.
the righteous will flourish like a palm tree.
9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.
Revelation
And so to honor Jesus as King of the Jews...as the Best of the Best...the crowd took palm branches and went out to meet him.
Verse 9
9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Hosanna was a Greek word that means “Save Us” which is an exclamation of praise not just a prayer ()
When we recognize who Jesus is, we should just want to praise Him!
10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
: they knew this was a special life-changing event (remember when events take place: 911, challenger shuttle disaster, Berlin Wall down, etc.)
They knew this was a special life-changing event
(Remember when events take place: 911, challenger shuttle disaster, Berlin Wall down, etc.)
The event doesn’t end here!
BUT...In Jesus grand entrance...
III. There is another message the crowd didn’t seem to understand.
III. There is another message the crowd didn’t seem to understand.
5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ”
Verse 5: the other message the crowd didn’t seem to get (daughter of Zion is the people of Israel)
(daughter of Zion is the people of Israel)
The way Jesus enters Jerusalem is the way His kingdom is going to look like. If we don’t understand what the kingdom looks like, you won’t accept the king either!
Illustration: Expectations when meeting someone for the first time and not see them because we are looking for someone else.
The disciples are rejected by the Samaritan village.
51 As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
52 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival.
53 But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem.
54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?”
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
56 So they went on to another village.
What people wanted and what the disciples wanted was a Messiah who would right every wrong – right now.
What people wanted and what the disciples wanted was a Messiah who would right every wrong – right now.
We have the same expectation when we come to Christ as well! He should fix every problem we have! John in prison and send disciples to ask Jesus if he is the one.
Illustration: Ted Turner billionaire founded CNN in 1980 and WTBS story
Known to say things like: “Christians are losers” and “Christianity is a religion for losers.”
His sister's suffering and death:
By the time he was a teen-ager, Ted knew that he did not want to join his father's business. He was religious, and he decided that he was going to be a missionary. Then his sister became ill. He was fifteen when Mary Jane, who was twelve, contracted systemic lupus erythematosus, a disease in which the immune system attacks the body's tissue. She was racked with pain and constantly vomiting, and her screams filled the house. Ted regularly came home and held her hand, trying to comfort her. He prayed for her recovery; she prayed to die. After years of misery, she succumbed. Ted lost his faith. "I was taught that God was love and God was powerful," he says, "and I couldn't understand how someone so innocent should be made or allowed to suffer so."
His father's suicide:
On March 5, 1963, Ed Turner had breakfast with his wife, went upstairs, placed a .38-calibre silver pistol in his mouth, and pulled the trigger. He was fifty-three and Ted was 24.
According to the Associated Press (April 2, 2008), "Ted Turner who once called Christianity a 'religion for losers' launched a $200 million partnership with Lutherans and Methodists to fight malaria in Africa, apologizing for his past criticism of religion and calling faith a 'bright spot' in the world." He claims to no longer be an atheist. He gives to the less fortunate and good causes.
Although he prays for sick friends now, when he is asked who he is praying to, he simply answers: to who ever is listening.
Two types of followers of Christ:
The crowd follows when the food is there, miracles are happening, healings, good times, etc.
Those who follow Jesus to the cross; even when it gets hard.
Take note: a few days after this triumphal entry, the crowd leaves because it gets too hard.
Conclusion:
Jesus chooses the cross because He loves you and me.
Jesus chooses the cross because He loves you and me.
Luke says he wept over the city.
41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.
42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.
43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side.
44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”
Luke 19:41
And He asks us to do the same for the world’s sake.
And He asks us to do the same for the world’s sake.
One day Jesus is going to ride again – this time on a warhorse!
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.
12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself.
13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.
14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.
15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.
16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Revelation 19:11-
And He will make everything RIGHT!
There before me was a white horse! Its rider [Jesus] held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. ~Revelations 2
And He will make everything RIGHT!