Sermon Tone Analysis

Things are looking up!

Things are looking up, the journey to the cross is close.

The entire purpose of His life to give his life as a ransom (Mk10:45) is just a few days away.

This journey into Jerusalem starts with an entrance fit for the king.

Road to Jerusalem would have been a crowded road for it was only a few days away from Passover.

People from all over would be travelling the road.

Our story starts and ends in Bethany, about 2 miles away from Jerusalem.

From the vantage point of about 2600ft it would have been a beautiful view.

The journey through Bethpage and Bethany near the mount of olives there would be excitement to the crowd as the Jews on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem climb the east side of the Mount of Olives with Jerusalem just out of sight.

Prophesy spoken (the prophetic word) was about to be prophesy fulfilled and the prophetic future that has been proclaimed too is about to be fulfilled (Mk10:32-34)

Interesting fact that passion week, which is where we are now, out of 16 chapters of Mark’s Gospel, six of them deal with the passion of the Christ.

The messianic secret of who Jesus is that has only been spoken to the few, the disciples is about to be revealed publically for all to see.

So let us look at the passage today.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

As we look at this pivotal passage today we will look at three things.

The preparation (Mk11:1-6)

The triumphal entry (Mk11:7-10)

The return (Mk11:11)

The preparation

Though the disciples did not understand the details to the preparation until later (Jn12:16: Lk24:45-46) it was still detailed as to fulfill prophesy.

(insert Bethpage and Bethany picture)

Interesting fact: Bethphage means “house of unripe figs” and Bethany means “house of dates.”

Bethphage was less known the Bethany where many had known the place of Mary, Martha and Lazarus the one Jesus raised from the dead .

These two towns, villages, stood betwen Jericho and Jerusalem near the mount of olives (a place we have seen before and will see more of in the days following)

and I need to add in this passage

OK, now may we pull from the passage.

Where were they when this transpires (v.1)?

It was believed by most that they were sent to Bethphage for that town was closer to Jerusalem.

Though the scripture does not spell it out.

Harder question, who is the “they” (look back Mk10:46; and v.1)?

The they, we can tell from (v.1) is the disciples, and looking back to (Mk10:46) we see that there is large crowd, so we do know who the they is.

It is not specified what two disciples, but because of the great detail, which is out of the ordinary for Mark, it is believed it is from Peter’s view and Peter and John may have been the disciples that were sent.

What were Jesus instructions (v.2)?

There is really instruction and a promise, where they were to go, and very specifically where, and the promise is that they would find the colt.

They were also told to untie and bring it there, now in the Matthew account it says two (Mt21:2, 7) which was more than likely the mother to the colt so to keep this colt that has not been ridden calm.

What was the preparation they were given (v.3)?

They were told “if anyone asks” so in other words they were going to be asked, and Jesus told them what to do, how to respond, and even what the response would be.

Look at the wording (v.3) what to say “the Lord has need . .

.” - Jesus is calling Himself Lord, He is now publically saying who He is, the Messiah.

Remember he is sending the disciples but talking to “them” and we already identified the them.

Is there a time factor found in this passage (vv.1-3)?

(v.1) the immediately had to do with location

(v.3) the immediately had to do with time

Because there was no flack in getting the colt, and the immediate response it would appear Jesus had prearranged this encounter.

Fulfilling what He had set up and building on the faith of the disciples that when Jesus said it would be, it would be.

What is the results when they went by faith and did as Jesus asked (vv.4-6)?

Bystanders, like they were sitting there waiting.

Did they wait knowing that this was going to be the fulfillment of Zec9:9?

The Triumphal Entry

Jesus entry into Jerusalem was different than a Roman triumphal entry, but this is an entry that is fit for “the” king.

This is the fulfillment of Zec9:9 and the details in this section matter.

First may we look at the passage again

now let me bring in the prophesy that is now being fulfilled

Now I think I need to bring in the Matthew account (Mt21:2, Mt21:7) for it says something a little different, but again does not mean contradiction at all, it means focus.

So, now time to be a good bible reader, student and detective.

Who is the they who brought Jesus the colt and put coats on it (v.7)?

The they here is the disciples (see v.1)

Who is the many (v.8) and what did they do?

The many is the them noted (v.2) and identified (Mk10:46); they too laid coats down, and leafy branches.

The idea of coats, leafy branches is not unfamiliar, it is familiar to Roman Triumphal procession and also can find in (2Kng9:12-13) - fanfare of entering king

What were the people doing, saying, how were they doing it (v.9-10)?

They were shouting Hosanna! - which translates to “save us” (Mk11:9-10; Ps118:25-26)

Ps

and now look at the very next verse

Looking at (v.10) is a fulfillment of the prophesy, promise made to David (2Sam7:14-17)

The Return

After a great triumphal entry, one fit for “the” King.

Jesus enters and leaves with no fanfare, but not without significance.

Time to look and draw some logical conclusions from this verse.

What did the temple represent?

The temple is the place where the Lord dwelt, where His presence was.

so it is only natural for Jesus to enter the temple.

Why do you think Jesus was looking around (this is an assumption)?

He entered the temple to look at the grandeur of man (that was made to very specific way by following specific instructions) that was be replaced by the Son of Man (again very specific instructions; prophesy, about what was going to happen) to fulfill the scripture also (Jn2:19-20; Mal3:1)

and need to bring in another passage

Now, making a shift here on the entrance fit for “the” king, a king has a kingdom and the anticipation was great, but the kingdom they were looking for was too small.

Kingdom of God and the

Bonus Section

The crowd has great anticipation (Mk11:10; Jn12:12-13); but do they have it for the right thing?

and add to that

So they are thinking, kingdom of David, and King of Israel, that is too small.

Previously tried to make Jesus king (Jn6:15)

The people, the crowd, wanted a king, and wanted Jesus to be it

Previously Jesus explained or will explain the nature of kingdom (Lk17:20-21; Jn18:36)

In explaining to the Pharisees:

Stop, look, look at that passage, there is significance about the kingdom that cannot be glossed over, what is it?

In explaining to Pilate after his arrest

Paul expounds on the nature of the kingdom (Rom14:17; 1Cor15:50)

Paul makes it very clear that the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom

It is righteousness, peace and joy, that is more than a location is it not?

The kingdom is imperishable!

Jesus actions speak of the nature of the kingdom (Isa9:6)

The king normally would enter under great fanfare on a stead prancing in and people paying homage

The nature of Jesus kingdom is the humility in which he comes fulfilling the prophesy

Jesus the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy, is the Prince of peace who entered not on a stead set for war but a donkey, a symbol of peace.

That triumphal entry leads to one more to come when He returns for His church, we will join with the multitude in heaven, the elders, the angels, the saints, all living creatures, in fact maybe better give some scripture here (Rev5:9-13)

Rev5:9

rev5:

REv5:11

REv5:12