2007-04-01 - Entering in Style - Luke 19 28-40

Message: Entering in Style                Newport Baptist Church

Scr: Luke 19:28-40                            Date: 2007-04-01

How to make an entrance – Walk boldly, head high, look people right in the eyes, be decisive, know where you are going and why you are there.

Background – approaching Jerusalem for Passover - calendar of events for the week

Sunday—Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Monday—Cleansing the temple

Tuesday—Controversies with the Jewish leaders

Wednesday—Apparently a day of rest

Thursday—Preparation for Passover

Friday—Trial and Crucifixion

Saturday—Jesus rests in the tomb

Sunday—Jesus raised from the dead 

Imagine the scene in detail

1.       The preparation (19:28–34)

a.       The men (19:28–29): Jesus instructs two disciples.

                                                   i.      Details are very clear.  Every possibility covered

                                                  ii.      Possiblities – the owner was a disciple or was pleased to loan an animal to a famous rabbi – common event.

b.       The mission (19:30–34)

                                                   i.      Their orders (19:30–31): They are to fetch a colt from a nearby village for the Savior to ride on.

                                                  ii.      Their obedience (19:32–34): They do exactly as Jesus has instructed.

c.        Our mission

                                                   i.      Our orders

1.       Love God and neighbor

2.       God and make disciples

2.       The celebration (19:35–38)

a.       Notice that Jesus did not sneak!

                                                   i.      Ill – pregnant woman – deliveries in the rear!

b.       A colt carries the King

                                                   i.      Fulfilled Zech 9:9

                                                  ii.      Jews understood the animal as fit for a king – peace keeper, maker, bringer.

                                                iii.      Animal never ridden before – not broken, yet Jesus rides with no trouble – creation authority

c.        The crowds prepare his path (19:35–36): They spread their cloaks on the road. (rolling out the red carpet)

                                                   i.      Branches, palm branches too (luke doesn’t even mention – other 3gospels do)

                                                  ii.      Perhaps should be called parade Sunday rather than palm Sunday (if Luke had his way)

d.       The crowds proclaim his praise (19:37–38).

                                                   i.      Only Luke uses the word King

                                                  ii.      3 groups there

1.       Jews from that area

2.       Galilean Jews who followed Jesus

3.       outsiders with no idea who Jesus was.

                                                iii.      Only time Jesus allows a public demonstration on his behalf

1.       fulfils prophecy, forces the Jewish leaders to act.

2.       maybe connected with Judas’ choice?

                                                iv.      Crowds echo the angels praise at Jesus birth

1.       big change – peace in heaven instead of earth.

a.       Jesus came to bring peace – Luke 2:14

b.       People rejected him and declared war 12:49-51

2.       no peace on earth, but reconciled to God through Jesus’ sacrifice.

e.        God’s church needs to celebrate

                                                   i.      Will we carry his name to this world

                                                  ii.      Will we prepare the path for him to come to our community?

                                                iii.      Will we boldly say that Jesus is King and invite others to celebrate?

3.       The Complaint (19:39–40)

a.       Pharisee’s had been plotting Jesus’ death since Lazarus raised from the dead

                                                   i.      Planned for after Passover (avoid disrupting the feast) Review Passover – Jesus the lamb

b.       The Pharisee’s complaint (19:39) : “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

c.        The Savior’s reply (19:40) : “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

                                                   i.      No better reason to tell the story of Jesus

Conclusion

Jesus entered in style.

He ensured that his people prepared, that they entered into the celebration, and he allowed no complaint to mar the day.

Good Friday this week – we will remember his sacrifice for us on the cross

Easter Sunday – we will praise God for Jesus who rose from the dead so that we could have life

Following week

Launch of 40 days of purpose

40 days to come together and seek to be obedient to God, to draw close to him and discover his purposes.

To reach out to those around us and declare our praise for our King

It’s up to you.

One man was asked for his donkey and he gave it.  What will you give?

Will you open your home and invite people to come in to hear the good news of God’s purposes for our lives?

Will you invite your friends, your family, your neighbors to come to your home to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, the king?

Will you invite them to come to join us on Sundays for the next 40 days to learn about how God’s purposes work together?

Will you commit yourselves to being part of something bigger than yourselves?

Or will you complain, make excuses, or plot the downfall of the saviour?

Jesus Christ is the head of his church, he is calling his church to celebration, to declare his name.

If we don’t do it, the very rocks will cry out.

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!  Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest!