John 12:12-19 (Palm Sunday) "A Humble Beginning"

Have you ever been asked to take a survey? Whether it is a survey for a consumer product, or pollsters to find out what we think of a certain concept or candidate, it seems as if surveys are what drives society this day and age. Those who want the results surveys are trying to “package” their product for greater profit.

Approach: Recently my family and I were walking through a shopping mall. We were stopped by someone taking a survey for a consumer product. Pollsters seem to be everywhere, attempting to find out what the public thinks about a certain concept, candidate, or product. Based on these surveys they are able to “package” their goods for greater profit.

What if we took a survey of the crowds who greeted Jesus as he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? If we asked, “What do you think about Jesus?” we would—undoubtedly—receive some glowing responses. But if we asked that question on Good Friday, we would see a sudden shift in public opinion.

Christ’s purpose for coming into the world and to Jerusalem in particular was not based on opinion polls or the desire for profit, but solely out of love for humanity. And Jesus keeps his focus upon his purpose: to suffer and die for the salvation of all people.

Like the Crowds, our Moods Change Swiftly when Faced with Adverse Situations.

THE PROBLEM

One day, we are gung-ho about our marriage, family, job, and self; the next day, we may have a ho-hum attitude.

One day, we are gung-ho about our marriage, family, job, and self; the next day, we may have a ho-hum attitude. We experience similar vacillation also in our spiritual lives. On Sunday we praise Christ, we celebrate his salvation in our lives—yet an hour or a day later, we may live as though the love of Christ has never had any effect upon our lives. A good example of such change is seen in Jesus’ disciples, especially Peter. At first Peter was gung-ho for Jesus: “Lord, I will never leave you or forsake you!” However, when a bold witness could have put him on a cross too, Peter responded by denying Jesus.

We experience similar wavering also in our spiritual lives. On Sunday we praise Christ, we celebrate his salvation in our lives and the forgiveness of sin—yet the next hour or next day we may live as though the love of Christ has never had any effect upon our lives.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS WHY WE WAIVER

B. The reason why we, like the crowds, change

(1) Disappointed expectations: the people expected Christ to be a king who would eliminate all their problems.

Unfulfilled expectations—Problems arrise.

The people expected Christ to be a warrior king who would eliminate all their problems.

Likewise, some people today think that if God is a truly a God of love He would not allow this COVID-19 virus to be running amuck as it is today; or if they get sick some are prone to think, “If I was a more faithful Christian I wouldn’t be sick today.”

(2) Fear: we, like Peter, may flee from our commitment to Christ out of fear.

Fear: The pressures of life intensify and we flee from Christ —

Mark 14:27 NET

27 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

Isn’t that what happened with Jesus was arrested? A good example is Peter; he said one thing and he did another — ,

Mark 14:29 NET

29 Peter said to him, “Even if they all fall away, I will not!”

Mark 14:31 NET

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all of them said the same thing.

Likewise, the pressures of life overtake us. Consider the parable of the soils —

Peter fled from his commitment Christ out of fear.

A good example of such change is seen in Jesus’ disciples, especially Peter. At first Peter was gung-ho for Jesus: “Lord, I will never leave you or forsake you!” However, when a bold witness could have put him on a cross too, Peter responded by denying Jesus.

A good example of such change is seen in Jesus’ disciples, especially Peter. At first Peter was gung-ho for Jesus: “Lord, I will never leave you or forsake you!” However, when a bold witness could have put him on a cross too, Peter responded by denying Jesus.

A good example of such change is seen in Jesus’ disciples, especially Peter. At first Peter was gung-ho for Jesus: “Lord, I will never leave you or forsake you!” However, when a bold witness could have put him on a cross too, Peter responded by denying Jesus.

Mark 4:14–17 EHV

14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and immediately takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Some are like the ones sown on rocky ground: as soon as they hear the word, they immediately welcome it with joy. 17 Yet since they have no root in themselves, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately fall away.

Despite all this, hear the Good News!

Christ Jesus is Faithful to the End

CHRIST IS FAITHFUL.

He is unswervingly obedient to the will of his heavenly Father. Today’s Epistle talks about his obedience: “He did not count equality with God . . .” Nor was he enticed by popular opinion.

By always being faithful, for us he overcame sin, death, and the power of the devil. This is of great comfort, for we know he will never leave us or forsake us.

Conclusion: As Jesus was walking with his disciples one day, he took a survey of his own. He asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” The response was, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Indeed, that is who Jesus is. He does not come to please the enthusiastic crowds that give praise to him, but to save the whole world. He comes as King—not to wear a crown of gold, but a crown of thorns, and not to be seated on an earthly throne, but to die upon a cross for our salvation. Him we proclaim!

Prayer of the Church

Palm Sunday

5 April 2020

Let us pray for the Church, that the Lord would defend her against all her enemies and keep her true to Jesus Christ by the power of Your Word and Spirit:

Gracious Lord, keep Your scattered Church in Your mercy, that she may endure the assaults of the evil one and remain faithful for the sake of those numbered within Your Kingdom and those who have not yet heard the Gospel and been brought to faith; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for all pastors, for all church-work vocations and for all the baptized in their vocation as God’s people:

Almighty God, by Your Spirit You have gathered us as Your Church and promised that wherever two or three are together in Your name, there You are in our midst. Do not allow stress or disaster to distract us from the particular vocations into which You have called us to serve in the Church, home and community. Grant to us every gift and blessing needful, that we may honor our calling and serve You to the best of our ability; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for those preparing for Baptism, for the newly baptized, for our confirmands:

Almighty Father, Your Word will not return to You empty but will accomplish Your purpose. Hear us on behalf of those who have heard Your Word, who are being baptized into Christ and joining the fellowship of our congregation, that they may keep the faith with holy and joyful hearts trusting in Christ as their Savior; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for the government, for all in authority over us, and for our own lives as citizens and neighbors:

O mighty Lord, You have established the kingdom of the left and hold accountable all those who govern in this and every place. Guide our president; the members of Congress; the governor of this state; and all who make, administer and judge our laws, that they would serve nobly and wisely, pursuing the path of justice and protecting the citizens entrusted to them. Give them the wisdom and strength needed to bring our world out of crisis and back to stability; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for an end to violence and terror, for those imprisoned, for the troubled in mind, and for those who suffer any afflictions of the body:

Merciful Lord, Your grace is sufficient for all our needs, and You have promised to be the strength of the weary, the hope of those who fear, the healing of the ill, the fullness of those disabled, and the peace of all who are distressed. Hear us on behalf of our nation and the world suffering pandemic and isolation. We pray especially for _____________ and all whom we name in our hearts, that they may be well supplied by Your grace in every time of trouble; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for those not yet of the Kingdom, that God would make us bold to speak the faith to them and that hearing, they might believe:

Everlasting Father, it is Your will that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of Your Son by faith. Give to Your Word success and deliver from error all those who live in darkness and fear, that they may walk in the light of the Lord Jesus and have confidence for the trials of this world and hope for the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for the earth to be fruitful, and for our good use of all the fruits of the earth:

Blessed Lord, You give food to the hungry and provide for all our needs in this mortal life. Grant to us a grateful heart and knowledge to use wisely and well all that You have entrusted to our care. Bless those who work to make, prepare, deliver or serve our daily bread, and give relief to those whose work has been halted; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for our unity of doctrine and faith, and for our communion this day upon Christ’s body and blood:

Holy Lord, as once Your Son was welcomed with palms and hosannas, help us to welcome Him who comes to us this day in the blessed Sacrament of His body and blood. Guard us against false teaching and help us to discern truth from error, that none may be led astray or lost from the fellowship of Your Son. Look with kindness on all who are separated from Holy Communion and comfort them with Your promises, especially that they are never distant from the mystical body of Your Son, the communion of saints; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.