The Things That Make for Peace

And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Introduction

In many churches today, services will begin with a Holy Greeting “The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” The congregation responds “And also with you.” Let’s try it! “The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” Response “And also with you.” I must confess I struggled with this sermon, it is difficult to preach these huge historical events like the “Triumphal Entry” and “Easter,” Events that most are so familiar with. As I read the scripture over and over again I kept finding myself drawn to one verse and one word specifically in (verse 42) “Peace.”

What is Peace?

peace /pēs/

noun 1. freedom from disturbance; tranquility. "you can while away an hour or two in peace and seclusion"synonyms:tranquility, calm, calmness, restfulness, peace and quiet, peacefulness, quiet, quietness, quietude, silence, soundlessness, hush, noiselessness, stillness, still;More 2. a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended. "the Straits were to be open to warships in time of peace"synonyms:law and order, lawfulness, order, peacefulness, peaceableness, harmony, harmoniousness, accord, concord, amity, amicableness, goodwill, friendship, cordiality, nonaggression, nonviolence; More

However, in order to better understand the Triumphal Entry and what it means for peace we need to back up a few verses to Jericho and the story of Zacchaeus and the Parable of the Ten Minas.

In order for us to understand the “Triumphal Entry” and what it means for us today I believe we need to backup a few verses and review the story of Zacchaeus and the parable of the minas.

We can see that Jesus response is completely upside down from the response of the society of His day and ours today as well. Zacchaeus was on the fringe of his society, he was the chief of tax collectors in the area and traitor to his people and a

Story of Zacchaeus

Jesus response and the response of His Kingdom is upside down from society

The conflict within the culture — between the Jews and Zacchaeus, Rome and Zacchaeus, the Jews and Rome, the Jewish leaders and Christ

The Son of Man came to seek and to save the Lost

The impact of the King upon the person — Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus because he was a changed man he gives half of his goods to the poor and restores fourfold anything he had defrauded from anyone.

The Parable of the Ten Minas

The disciples and those who had been following Jesus supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.

Jesus taught that a nobleman had to go far away to receive for himself a kingdom and then would return.

He called ten servants and gave them each a mina and told them to engage in business until he returns

There were some in his kingdom who hated the ruler and plotted against him

When he returned he called his servants to him and the first good servant had earned 10 minas, the second 5, but the third was so fearful of the nobleman that he did nothing with the mina he was given and was declared a wicked servant

The moral of the story is that the Kingdom of God has not yet come in its full glory. Not in the way the people had imagined. The King must go away but will return. Until he returns his servants must be about kingdom business

Connection to the Word

Luke 19:28 ESV

And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Jesus began the 15 mile journey from Jericho to Jerusalem. This is perilous journey, there are many areas along the road where someone could be jumped or robbed. The Romans had guard posts along this route to keep the peace.

“

As they neared the top of the Mount of Olives Jesus sent two disciples ahead to get a colt

This is the fulfillment of the Prophecy from the Prophet Zechariah.

Zechariah 9:9–10 ESV

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

As he begins his journey down the western slope of the Mount of Olives he gets a glimpse of the City of Jerusalem. The crowd with him begins to praise Jesus, declaring him Messiah and throwing their cloaks down before him a symbol of respect for royalty. it would be like a red carpet welcome in our society.

Zechariah 9:9-10

Luke 19:36–38 ESV

And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Luke 19

Before this moment Jesus would not allow public praise or declaration that he is the Messiah---Today is different. Everyone in Jerusalem knew that this was a welcome of a King

chariah 9:9-10

Jesus came to another point along the road where he can see the entire city of Jerusalem and he stops and weeps because they did not know the time of their visitation

Luke 19:41–44 ESV

And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Luke 19:

Jesus weeps for Jerusalem because they did not know “the things that make for peace!” You know I do not think that I realized what a rare and fragile thing Peace truly is. Did you know:

You know I do not think that I realized what a rare and fragile thing Peace truly is.

“The Society of International Law, in London, states that during the last 4,000 years there have been only 268 years of peace in spite of good peace treaties. In the last 3 centuries there have been 286 wars on the continent of Europe alone.”

ESVWe were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

The writer of Hebrews helps us understand the new life in Christ by connecting it to the promised land God had promised Israel after he delivered them from Egypt. The promise to the believer of entering rest still holds true because the fulfillment has not yet arrived. The door is still open and the writer pleads for his readers not to turn away. God is true to His Word, and His promises still stand true to this day. It is the rest that believers have, a rest that Christ has provided through the shedding of his blood so that we can have peace with God in the free and full justification of believers from all their sins. But the writer of Hebrews also wants us to remember, with the promise, comes a penalty, also, a warning not to miss God's rest

ESVTherefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

The common thread through all of the Letter to the Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is Superior to everyone and everything. in this fourth chapter we are told how Jesus is superior to Moses and the promised land, yes Moses was a leader of God’s people the giver of the law and the builder of the tabernacle. But, Jesus is also the leader of all of God’s people, God and creator of everything. So if it was important to pay attention to the good news of the Law of Moses, how much more important is it to pay attention to the good news of Jesus Christ.

Orientation: Living the Word

If we and I are honest with one another what we long for most of all is peace. Think about it? Though we have not faced war on our own continent, our nation has been involved in conflict around the world for the last 30 years or more. There seems to be more unrest in our society and a spirit of distrust and divisiveness between groups and individuals that seems to be increasing and at a greater level than I can ever remember. If we are perfectly honest we long for more peace in our own homes.

So what does peace look like? is there something that can help us see the peace that Jesus was weeping about when entering Jerusalem.

The Christmas Truce

By Aaron Shepard

My dear sister Janet,

It is 2:00 in the morning and most of our men are asleep in their dugouts—yet I could not sleep myself before writing to you of the wonderful events of Christmas Eve. In truth, what happened seems almost like a fairy tale, and if I hadn’t been through it myself, I would scarce believe it. Just imagine: While you and the family sang carols before the fire there in London, I did the same with enemy soldiers here on the battlefields of France!

As I wrote before, there has been little serious fighting of late. The first battles of the war left so many dead that both sides have held back until replacements could come from home. So, we have mostly stayed in our trenches and waited.

But what a terrible waiting it has been! Knowing that any moment an artillery shell might land and explode beside us in the trench, killing or maiming several men. And in daylight not daring to lift our heads above ground, for fear of a sniper’s bullet.

And the rain—it has fallen almost daily. Of course, it collects right in our trenches, where we must bail it out with pots and pans. And with the rain has come mud—a good foot or more deep. It splatters and cakes everything, and constantly sucks at our boots. One new recruit got his feet stuck in it, and then his hands too when he tried to get out—just like in that American story of the tar baby!

Through all this, we couldn’t help feeling curious about the German soldiers across the way. After all, they faced the same dangers we did, and slogged about in the same muck. What’s more, their first trench was only fifty yards from ours. Between us lay No Man’s Land, bordered on both sides by barbed wire—yet they were close enough we sometimes heard their voices.

Of course, we hated them when they killed our friends. But other times, we joked about them and almost felt we had something in common. And now it seems they felt the same.

Just yesterday morning—Christmas Eve Day—we had our first good freeze. Cold as we were, we welcomed it, because at least the mud froze solid. Everything was tinged white with frost, while a bright sun shone over all. Perfect Christmas weather.

During the day, there was little shelling or rifle fire from either side. And as darkness fell on our Christmas Eve, the shooting stopped entirely. Our first complete silence in months! We hoped it might promise a peaceful holiday, but we didn’t count on it. We’d been told the Germans might attack and try to catch us off guard.

I went to the dugout to rest, and lying on my cot, I must have drifted asleep. All at once my friend John was shaking me awake, saying, “Come and see! See what the Germans are doing!” I grabbed my rifle, stumbled out into the trench, and stuck my head cautiously above the sandbags.

I never hope to see a stranger and more lovely sight. Clusters of tiny lights were shining all along the German line, left and right as far as the eye could see.

“What is it?” I asked in bewilderment, and John answered, “Christmas trees!”

And so it was. The Germans had placed Christmas trees in front of their trenches, lit by candle or lantern like beacons of good will.

And then we heard their voices raised in song.

Stille nacht, heilige nacht . . .

This carol may not yet be familiar to us in Britain, but John knew it and translated: “Silent night, holy night.” I’ve never heard one lovelier—or more meaningful, in that quiet, clear night, its dark softened by a first-quarter moon.

When the song finished, the men in our trenches applauded. Yes, British soldiers applauding Germans! Then one of our own men started singing, and we all joined in.

The first Nowell, the angel did say . . .

In truth, we sounded not nearly as good as the Germans, with their fine harmonies. But they responded with enthusiastic applause of their own and then began another.

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum . . .

Then we replied.

O come all ye faithful . . .

But this time they joined in, singing the words in Latin.

Adeste fideles . . .

British and German harmonizing across No Man’s Land! I would have thought nothing could be more amazing—but what came next was more so.

“English, come over!” we heard one of them shout. “You no shoot, we no shoot.”

There in the trenches, we looked at each other in bewilderment. Then one of us shouted jokingly, “You come over here.”

To our astonishment, we saw two figures rise from the trench, climb over their barbed wire, and advance unprotected across No Man’s Land. One of them called, “Send officer to talk.”

I saw one of our men lift his rifle to the ready, and no doubt others did the same—but our captain called out, “Hold your fire.” Then he climbed out and went to meet the Germans halfway. We heard them talking, and a few minutes later, the captain came back with a German cigar in his mouth!

“We’ve agreed there will be no shooting before midnight tomorrow,” he announced. “But sentries are to remain on duty, and the rest of you, stay alert.”

Across the way, we could make out groups of two or three men starting out of trenches and coming toward us. Then some of us were climbing out too, and in minutes more, there we were in No Man’s Land, over a hundred soldiers and officers of each side, shaking hands with men we’d been trying to kill just hours earlier!

Before long a bonfire was built, and around it we mingled—British khaki and German grey. I must say, the Germans were the better dressed, with fresh uniforms for the holiday.

Only a couple of our men knew German, but more of the Germans knew English. I asked one of them why that was.

“Because many have worked in England!” he said. “Before all this, I was a waiter at the Hotel Cecil. Perhaps I waited on your table!”

“Perhaps you did!” I said, laughing.

He told me he had a girlfriend in London and that the war had interrupted their plans for marriage. I said, “Don’t worry. We’ll have you beat by Easter, then you can come back and marry the girl.”

He laughed at that. Then he asked if I’d send her a postcard he’d give me later, and I promised I would.

Another German had been a porter at Victoria Station. He showed me a picture of his family back in Munich. His eldest sister was so lovely, I told him I should like to meet her someday. He beamed and said he would like that very much and gave me his family’s address.

Even those who could not converse could still exchange gifts—our cigarettes for their cigars, our tea for their coffee, our corned beef for their sausage. Badges and buttons from uniforms changed owners, and one of our lads walked off with the infamous spiked helmet! I myself traded a jackknife for a leather equipment belt—a fine souvenir to show when I get home.

Newspapers too changed hands, and the Germans howled with laughter at ours. They assured us that France was finished and Russia nearly beaten too. We told them that was nonsense, and one of them said, “Well, you believe your newspapers and we’ll believe ours.”

Clearly they are lied to—yet after meeting these men, I wonder how truthful our own newspapers have been. These are not the “savage barbarians” we’ve read so much about. They are men with homes and families, hopes and fears, principles and, yes, love of country. In other words, men like ourselves. Why are we led to believe otherwise?

As it grew late, a few more songs were traded around the fire, and then all joined in for—I am not lying to you—“Auld Lang Syne.” Then we parted with promises to meet again tomorrow, and even some talk of a football match.

I was just starting back to the trenches when an older German clutched my arm. “My God,” he said, “why cannot we have peace and all go home?”

I told him gently, “That you must ask your emperor.”

He looked at me then, searchingly. “Perhaps, my friend. But also we must ask our hearts.”

And so, dear sister, tell me, has there ever been such a Christmas Eve in all history? And what does it all mean, this impossible befriending of enemies?

For the fighting here, of course, it means regrettably little. Decent fellows those soldiers may be, but they follow orders and we do the same. Besides, we are here to stop their army and send it home, and never could we shirk that duty.

Still, one cannot help imagine what would happen if the spirit shown here were caught by the nations of the world. Of course, disputes must always arise. But what if our leaders were to offer well wishes in place of warnings? Songs in place of slurs? Presents in place of reprisals? Would not all war end at once?

All nations say they want peace. Yet on this Christmas morning, I wonder if we want it quite enough.

Your loving brother, Tom

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God leading Israel into the promised land and the new life the believer has in Jesus Christ is all a continuation of the promised good news God made in Genesis that He would redeem his people. The writer of Hebrews wants us to recognize that how we respond to the truth of God’s word and his promises matters. He want us to understand that it was the response of the Israel people that caused them to wander in the wilderness for forty years until an entire generation of Israel had all died.

ESVFor good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

Two years after God delivered Israel from Egypt they now find themselves on the verge of entering the rest awaiting them in the Promised Land. But they missed it. They reached the threshold and drew back, because they thought the difficulties ahead were too great ()They missed enjoying God’s rest because they were not united in faith with those who listened. How do you know someone is listening because of the actions they make after hearing what you say. Only Joshua and Caleb had the faith to say to the people lets go and take possession of the land. God promised it to us and God alway keeps his promises. However, the rest of the people could only see the obstacles and their view of the obstacles was greater than their view of God.Don’t be like them! the writer says. God’s rest is still with us, to be entered and enjoyed in this life. It is the rest which comes with hearing, receiving, believing and living the gospel. It is the rest of forgiveness of sins and peace with God through Jesus Christ.David mentions God’s rest ().

ESVFor he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

He assumes that God’s rest is still awaiting us, and we may enter it today. The only barrier is if, like the Israelites, we back away in disbelief. God’s rest is the real sabbath—the place where we relax in all that God has done for us, and accept completely his purpose for the future. Let’s be sure to enter it! God still has his arms open waiting for all his people.

ESVBut of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Closing

Brothers and sisters, Christ wept when he saw Jerusalem, they did not recognize the things that make for peace. Do you? Do I? What If Jerusalem would have only recognized Jesus as the Messiah King?

1 Timothy 6:15 ESV

which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

1 Timothy

We cannot consider the Triumphal Entry today without looking to Easter and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even though the Jesus Christ is not yet sitting on the Throne of David he did establish His kingdom in the Heart of man.

A young seminary student comes home and at the dinner table begins to share his experience and what he has learned. He go on and on talking about his dreams for world peace while his father listened patiently. Finally while he was catching his breath his father said “we will never have peace on earth until we can quiet the wars that rage within our own hearts.”

Jesus came so you and I can quiet the wars that rage within our own hearts. We have also seen that he even shows up in the midst of war and brings peace. We will never know the lives that were change that Christmas day in 1914. That is what Jesus and the Kingdom of heaven are all about, placing a new heart in his children so they can experience peace that passes all understanding. Have you make Jesus Christ the King of your life? Is he sitting on the throne of your heart?

Ephesians 2:17–22 ESV

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians

Let us pray!

ESV“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

ESVWhoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

The privilege to enter into that rest belongs to believers. The finished work of redemption by Jesus Christ on the cross has to be appropriated by faith if a person is to receive its benefits. What will you do with Jesus Christ?

ESVFor we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’ ” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.

ESVCome to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Brothers and sisters, I do not know what obstacles you are facing today. I do know that we have a Lord bigger than any obstacle. Put your trust in Him and together you can overcome anything. Let us pray!

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