March Madness in Jerusalem

Mark 1:1–11 NIV

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Mark 11:1–11 NIV

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

You don’t have to be a fan of college basketball to realize that the country is mired in March madness right now!

Now, take that mental image -- the image of the champions joyously racing out to center court when the final buzzer sounds -- and place it in Jerusalem.

The year is approximately A.D. 33 -- give or take five or six years. Buzz is building as thousands of Jews gather for their celebration of Passover in the holy city. A march is staged by Jesus and his disciples, and before you know it -- madness!

Yes, the month is March. And Jesus is on the march. Put the two together, and you get March Madness in Jerusalem!

Just as fans make their bracket picks and try to guess who will make it to the Final Four, residents of Jerusalem were trying to figure out who would come out on top.

Some of the locals were betting on a new ruler who would establish the kingdom of their ancestor David (v. 10).

Others in Jerusalem wanted a religious leader such as the high priest to come out on top.

The Romans' imperial political machinery wanted their appointee Pilate to keep the peace through a show of military force.

And the disciples wanted Jesus to be their champion -- but they were not exactly sure what his victory would look like.

This is where we are today, on Palm Sunday 2018. There’s another March Madness we ought to aware of. I can’t help you with your bracket, but I came to talk about Jesus! We watch as Jesus marches into Jerusalem on a thrilling and unpredictable ride. Every opponent he faces is going to test him and try to defeat him. In this single-elimination tournament, there are no do-overs and no second chances. We hope that Jesus will cut through the chaos and emerge as the champion. But what kind of winner do we want him to be?

And what kind of champion does God want him to be?

Jesus was clearly a team player, not a ball hog. Mark tells us that when Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of them ahead to find a colt. He said that if anyone questioned them, they were to say, "The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately" (vv. 1-3).

And what kind of champion does God want him to be? What kind of champion does God want US to be?

"The Lord needs it." What a surprising admission. Jesus needed a stranger to provide him with an animal so that he could make his march into the city. You wouldn't think that the all-powerful Son of God would need anything, but Mark reveals that he did. He needed a colt and a cooperative animal owner. Jesus was not going to enter Jerusalem under his own power, beating his chest and calling attention to himself. In basketball language, you would say that he was a team player, not a ball hog.

1. Jesus was clearly a team player, not a ball hog. Mark tells us that when Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of them ahead to find a colt. He said that if anyone questioned them, they were to say, "The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately" (vv. 1-3).

So, what does the Lord need from you? Probably not a colt. But how about your time, your efforts and your talents? David Brooks, a columnist for The New York Times, has written, "About once a month I run across a person who radiates an inner light. These people can be in any walk of life. They seem deeply good. They listen well. They make you feel funny and valued. ... They are not thinking about what wonderful work they are doing. They are not thinking about themselves at all."

"The Lord needs it." What a surprising admission. Jesus needed a stranger to provide him with an animal so that he could make his march into the city. You wouldn't think that the all-powerful Son of God would need anything, but Mark reveals that he did. He needed a colt and a cooperative animal owner. Jesus was not going to enter Jerusalem under his own power, beating his chest and calling attention to himself. In basketball language, you would say that he was a team player, not a ball hog.

Such people, says Brooks, have generosity of spirit and depth of character. They are people who say "yes" when Jesus asks them to contribute their time and effort and talent. They don't think about themselves as much as they think about what they can do for others, and because of this they are outstanding teammates for Jesus.

So, what does the Lord need from you? Probably not a colt. But how about your time, your efforts and your talents? David Brooks, a columnist for The New York Times, has written, "About once a month I run across a person who radiates an inner light. These people can be in any walk of life. They seem deeply good. They listen well. They make you feel funny and valued. ... They are not thinking about what wonderful work they are doing. They are not thinking about themselves at all."

Jesus also accepted his role as a leader. Every successful team needs a leader, and Jesus did not resist playing the part. Mark tells us that many people in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. That's where we get the term "Palm Sunday." All around him, people were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (vv. 8-10).

These are the kind of people Jesus wants on his team, people who have the kind of spirit that enables them to think less about themselves than the goal.

In Old Testament times, people spread their cloaks on the road for a king to walk on (). The shouts of the crowd were clearly intended to identify Jesus as their king, the son of David. Jesus did not shy away from this role with some kind of false humility, but he embraced it. He entered Jerusalem as a leader, a king.

2. Jesus also accepted his role as a leader. Every successful team needs a leader, and Jesus did not resist playing the part. Mark tells us that many people in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. That's where we get the term "Palm Sunday." All around him, people were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (vv. 8-10).

But what kind of a leader is he? Pastor Ron Edmondson says that Jesus is a leader who invests in people that others would have dismissed -- a fisherman named Peter, a tax collector named Matthew, a woman named Mary who had seven demons cast out of her. People like us. He practices servant leadership, most visibly when he washes the feet of his followers on the night of the Last Supper. And Jesus shares responsibility with others in a succession plan, telling his followers that they will have to carry on his work after he is no longer with them.

In , we see that in Old Testament times, people spread their cloaks on the road for a king to walk on (). The shouts of the crowd were clearly intended to identify Jesus as their king, the son of David. Jesus did not shy away from this role with some kind of false humility, but he embraced it. He entered Jerusalem as a leader, a king.

Jesus is a leader who invests in people, serves them and entrusts them with his work. He is a true champion because he looks beyond his own achievements to the continuation of his ministry and mission.

But what kind of a leader is he? Pastor Ron Edmondson says that Jesus is a leader who invests in people that others would have dismissed -- a fisherman named Peter, a tax collector named Matthew, a woman named Mary who had seven demons cast out of her. People like us. Maybe there’s a few folk in here who are glad that Jesus invested in you. Others may have overlooked you, but Jesus invests in you! He practices servant leadership, most visibly when he washes the feet of his followers on the night of the Last Supper. And Jesus shares responsibility with others in a succession plan, telling his followers that they will have to carry on his work after he is no longer with them.

Finally, Jesus was clear about what success looks like. He was willing to suffer betrayal and arrest. He stood before the Jewish council and Pontius Pilate, and said not a word when the crucifixion order was announced. Jesus knew that the earthly powers -- opponents if you will -- were hell-bent on eliminating him from contention.

Jesus is a leader who invests in people, serves them and entrusts them with his work. He is a true champion because he looks beyond his own achievements to the continuation of his ministry and mission.

We struggle with this because we expect champions to be victorious, happy and rich. We wear their jerseys because we want to feel like winners, and when they suffer defeats we tend to become fans of other players. But Jesus is a champion who trusts God through a week of defeats, walking faithfully to the cross, and he invites us to pick up our crosses and follow him. This doesn't make us feel like winners, except in our relationship with God.

3. Finally, Jesus was clear about what success looks like. He was willing to suffer betrayal and arrest. He stood before the Jewish council and Pontius Pilate, and said not a word when the crucifixion order was announced. Jesus knew that the earthly powers -- opponents if you will -- were hell-bent on eliminating him from contention.

Jerusalem March Madness ends with the chaos of the cross. Instead of making a winning shot at the buzzer, Jesus gives a loud cry and takes his last breath. But in a surprising turnaround, a Roman centurion looks up at him and says, "Truly this man was God's Son!" (15:39).

We struggle with this because we expect champions to be victorious, happy and rich. We wear their jerseys because we want to feel like winners, and when they suffer defeats we tend to become fans of other players. But Jesus is a champion who trusts God through a week of defeats, walking faithfully to the cross, and he invites us to pick up our crosses and follow him. This doesn't make us feel like winners, except in our relationship with God. With God you can suffer what looks like defeat and still have a winning attitude because you know in the end, you win!

No one saw that coming. An officer in the Roman Empire -- the opposing team -- sees that Jesus is the true champion. He identifies Jesus as the Son of God, victorious in his faithfulness to God. Jesus knows that trusting God is true success, and then the Roman centurion discovers the very same.

Jerusalem March Madness ends with the chaos of the cross. Instead of making a winning shot at the buzzer, Jesus gives a loud cry and takes his last breath. But in a surprising turnaround, a Roman centurion looks up at him and says, "Truly this man was God's Son!" (15:39).

At the moment of his death, Jesus achieves victory. He demonstrates just how far he will go to show us the endless, unconditional and saving love of God. And his success actually changes the heart of a Roman soldier.

No one saw that coming. An officer in the Roman Empire -- the opposing team -- sees that Jesus is the true champion. He identifies Jesus as the Son of God, victorious in his faithfulness to God. Jesus knows that trusting God is true success! That’s why the hymn writer said;

Our hearts can be changed as well. When we march with Jesus through Palm Sunday and Holy Week, we can listen for what the Lord needs from us, and we can respond. We can look to Jesus as our leader, and be part of his succession plan for ongoing ministry and mission. And we can stand at the foot of the cross, looking up to see success instead of defeat.

I trust in God, where’er I may

Truly this man is God's Son. Champion of all time, worldwide winner. Not a Cinderella but a Savior. As we root for him, we can trust God in the same way that he did, through all the madness of life.

On mountain bleak, or on the stormy sea

Though billows roll, He keeps my soul,

My heavenly Father watches over me.

Don’t think you have to wait until the resurrection to celebrate the victory. At the moment of his death, Jesus achieves victory. He demonstrates just how far he will go to show us the endless, unconditional and saving love of God. And his success actually changes the heart of a Roman soldier.

Our hearts can be changed as well. When we march with Jesus through Palm Sunday and Holy Week, we can listen for what the Lord needs from us, and we can respond. We can look to Jesus as our leader, and be part of his succession plan for ongoing ministry and mission. And we can stand at the foot of the cross, looking up to see success instead of defeat.

Truly this man is God's Son. Champion of all time, worldwide winner. Not a Cinderella but a Savior. As we root for him, we can trust God in the same way that he did, through all the madness of life.

March Madness in Jerusalem

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