2016-12-18 Luke 19:28-40 Turning Rejection Into a Triumphal Entry

TURNING REJECTION INTO A TRIUMPHAL ENTRY (Luke 19:28-40) December 28, 2016 Read Text – A lady got up early one morning and made a mad dash from the house as she heard the garbage truck pulling away. She was in her old bathrobe, hair in curlers, no makeup, beat-up old slippers – a frightful sight. She hollered, “Am I too late for the garbage?” The guy answered, “No, hop right on in.” Appearances can be deceiving, can’t they? Our text looks like a triumphal entry to Jerusalem, doesn’t it? Probably called that in your Bible. But it is not. What should have been the greatest day in the history of Israel was its worst nightmare. As Jesus reaches the climax of His earthly ministry, He finally offers Himself to Israel as King, but because He does not fit their idea of King, He is rejected! That’s been the trend for some time but now it’s official. The consequences are still resounding. Jesus arrived in Bethany, 7 miles from Jerusalem on Saturday of His last week. Then He entered and left Jerusalem 3 times in the next 3 days. He presents Himself as the long awaited Messiah – or anointed one. The OT had 3 offices that required one to be anointed – prophets, priests and kings. Jesus is all in one. G. Campbell Morgan notes that He makes that point by entering Jerusalem on Sunday as King, on Monday to cleanse the temple as priest, and on Tuesday to contest religious leaders as prophet. He’s rejected in all cases. Today we look at His offer to be their King. The problem was, He didn’t look like they thought He should and didn’t do what they thought He should. They missed the best thing that could ever have happened to them because they were deceived by appearances. Let’s unpack their tragedy in 4 acts. I. Despite Appearances, Jesus is the King of Kings Up until now Jesus has refused all attempts to identify Him publically as Messiah or King. But now He encourages it. Why? The time has come. Jesus is officially offering Himself as Israel’s Messiah and King. The people are calling out in 19:38, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” That’s a quotation directly from Psa 118:26 which applies to Messiah. The crowd of visitors desperately want it to be so and Jesus is encouraging it. But let’s face it, He doesn’t look much like a king. Contrast Queen Elizabeth riding to her coronation in 1953 in a gold carriage behind hundreds and troops and bands with Jesus riding on the colt of a donkey. Not very impressive 1 really. It confused His closest disciples. Jn 12:16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.” They want Him as king all right, but this is hardly encouraging. Riding a donkey into town, and as we’ll see in v. 41 weeping as He goes? They must be thinking: “What are you doing? You should be on a war horse, not this little colt. What’s wrong with you? You’re going to look like Sancho Panza.” And He did. Compared to Caesar, he didn’t look like a King. And He didn’t act like a king. Next day he alienated the religious community by kicking them out of the temple. Instead of driving out the Romans, He is driving out His own people. Nothing like they expected. Is it any wonder 5 days on this same crowd is crying out, “Crucify Him.” They wanted a King they could control – a king who would do as they thought best – a king after their own wicked hearts; Jesus was not that king, so they killed Him. But – But, Jesus was God’s King. They should have known that – the disciples most of all. They should have remembered Zech 9: 9)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.” Here’s Jesus doing exactly that. In fact, Matt reports (21:2) that they actually got two donkeys that morning – a mother and her foal. So Jesus is riding along on the colt while the mother walks beside showing the precision of this fulfillment. Jesus was making crystal clear that He was God’s King. The disciples also should have remembered Solomon went to his coronation riding on a donkey (I Kings 1:32-40). Why? Because he was the king of peace. David, the warrior was not allowed to build a temple, but Solomon, who reigned in peace, did built it. He was a man of peace who symbolically brought God to the people in the temple. And Jesus in His first coming was the King of peace coming to bring God to the people in reality thru His own death and resurrection. He didn’t come to cast out Romans but to cast out sin and death and Satan. That required strength demonstrated in weakness – the weakness of the cross where once and for all “through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb 2:14). Jesus disciples could never get that until later. Jesus riding that donkey into town didn’t look very kingly. but He was showing more strength than if He had arrived on a white horse leading 10 divisions of soldiers. He was God’s King. He’ll look a little different the next time He rides into Jerusalem: Rev 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on 2 it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” He came the first time to deliver from sin and death all who will repent. But He is not done. Soon He is coming again to deliver from Rome and from every other earthly power those who belong to Him. Do you belong to Him? What that generation of Jews missed out on, we can have. But Jesus must be King of our heart before He can be King of our world. II. Despite Appearances, Jesus Has All Authority He didn’t look like it that day, and He didn’t look like it a week later when He lay in the tomb, killed bc He didn’t follow their script. But despite appearance Jesus has all authority. He had demonstrated that already with every miracles He ever performed. And you can even see it subtly in this account. Over Nature – He’d already displayed that – turning water into wine, calming a turbulent sea, turning 5 loaves and 2 fish into a banquet for thousands. He’d already amazed them with His power over nature. But here it is again. Jesus sends His disciples in v. 30 after a colt “on which no one has ever yet sat.” Why mention that? Ever try to sit a calf or colt of a horse or donkey or mule that’s never been ridden? This is supreme authority over nature. And look at 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Exaggeration? Probably. But it reflects a great truth. Psa 96: 12) let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13) before the LORD, for he comes.” Jesus is saying, “Listen, this event is so noteworthy that if the people didn’t cheer it on, nature would.” We think of salvation in purely personal terms. But the Bible teaches the Fall broke everything – not just human existence, but all nature. It was made to glorify God just as we were. So, Rom 8:19: “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” Why? Because it, too, was corrupted, and it too must be delivered. And so it shall for Jesus has all authority. And if the trees are going to dance when Christ comes to 3 rule, imagine what it will be like for us! Christ’s transforming power explodes the potential which is stifled by the corruption of sin. Over People – Look in vv. 32-33 how even colt owners give up a valuable possession at His mere request. And consider this. The Jewish leaders are now frantic to kill Jesus. But as Passover approaches, Matt 26:5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” But that would be too late. The hour is now (Jn 13:1). He is the “Lamb of God” who has come “to take away the sin of the world.” The ultimate sacrifice must be at Passover. Later is too late. So Jesus accepts this massive display of popular acclaim to force the hand of these leaders. Jewish leaders are being undermined and must act NOW! When Judas comes forward, God’s timetable is perfectly enacted. As thousands of other lambs were being slain symbolizing forgiveness, Jesus was dying to actually provide forgiveness. He has all authority. Solomon knew it. Prov 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” There’s no such thing as chance. That’s why Paul can say so confidently, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28). Virtually the last thing He told His disciples was, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” That’s a great truth to live by when appearances contrary. III. Despite Appearances, Jesus Requires Total Submission His message had always demanded commitment. Lu 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” But this outward, public acceptance as King in David’s line was new – and it cut to the heart of the issue – His identity. Indifference was no longer an option for anyone. He’s not only forcing their hand; He is forcing their heart. He’s saying, “Crown me as your King or kill me.” Those are the only two choices. And every individual must now decide what side they are on. All His claims are now publically on the line. “As the Son of God I can be your helper; I can be your healer; I can be your friend; I can be your shepherd; I alone can lead you to God because ‘I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.’ I can be all of that to you, but first I must be King of your heart.” It’s submit to or kill me. That’s the same message Jesus has for each of us this morning. “You cannot merely “like” me. Because of what I did for you on the cross, you must 4 crown me or kill me. I must be your King or you must become part of the execution squad. No middle ground. You cannot dabble in me. You cannot have me on Sunday and deny me the rest of the week.” If Jesus is truly the king of kings and truly has all authority, why would you expect anything less? With His death and resurrection, Jesus forces the question of His identity on all of us. Theologian Michael Bird says growing up all he knew of Christianity was what he heard from Ned Flanders on The Simpsons. But he says, “At our high school graduation ceremony Chaplain Graham told us, ‘The most important question you will ever ask is, who is Jesus? Is he a lunatic, a liar, or Lord?’” Bird says, “I rolled my eyes at the time, but the question stuck. Who is Jesus and what is all the fuss about? Years later as a paratrooper, I came to the decision that Jesus was definitely Lord." So what have you decided? Our eternal destiny is at stake on the answer we give. IV. Despite Appearances, Jesus is Rejected The crowd seemed to accept Him. They were overwhelmingly enthusiastic. At Passover there were usually between 1 and 2 million visitors in Jerusalem (at city of 80,000). Some estimate there could have been 100,000 people cheering Jesus’ entry. Celebrity visits were really big in those days. And the thought that this might be Messiah had expectations at a fever pitch. The crowds have lined the way with palm branches which Luke does not mention. But he does mention: 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.” It’s the red carpet treatment – a sign of their submission. But disaster lurks just beneath the surface. Jn 12:17-18: “The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.” True worshipers? A few, yes. But most were Fire engine chasers – there for the spectacle. The Pharisees are beside themselves: Teacher, rebuke your disciples” (39). Despite appearances, this is actually the official rejection of Jesus Christ. This is the last appearance of these enemies of Christ in Luke and they stay true to form: “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” In other words, stop acting like the Kingly Messiah, David’s son. Stop acting like God. Who do you think you are? Simple words. But it doesn’t take much to reject Jesus. Refuse to accept Him as the God/man and you have rejected the One and only hope sent by the Father to redeem fallen humanity. They’re symbolic of what’s doing behind the scenes, where the nation’s leaders are plotting his execution. 5 And look at Jesus’ reaction. Does He rejoice over the wild acclaim? Hardly. “41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it.” We’ll see precisely why next week, but suffice to say he saw the reception for what it was – wild enthusiasm for His miracle-power that would turn murderous by the end of the week when He would not bend to their definition of His identity. Jesus was not fooled. They wanted what He might give them, but when He would not march to the beat of their drum – when He refused to be the Messiah they wanted – they turned Him down flat and killed Him. It’s all down hill from here. Crowds are always fickle and this one was no exception. Conc -- But in conclusion, let me offer hope! What Jesus’ rejecters meant for evil, God used for good. He always does. He never loses. In rejecting Jesus, this crowd was only furthering God’s eternal plan for redemption – that even included them if they would turn and believe. Shortly after this Jesus said in Jn12:32, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” That is what He is doing today. He is drawing near to you. He is asking to enter your world, just as He entered Jerusalem. He is asking to be your King as He offered to be their King. He is asking you not to join the crowd in killing Him. Instead He is asking you to die with Him at the cross so that you can leave cleansed, forgiven, guilt-free before God and ready to join His new life. They refused. What will you do? In C. S. Lewis’ Narnia Chronicles, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver explain to the 4 children (Pete, Susan, Edmund and Lucy) about Aslan (the lion who depicts Christ). Lewis writes: “Ooh!" said Susan, "I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather anxious about meeting a lion." "That you will, Dearie, and make no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver, "if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly." "Then he isn’t safe?" said Lucy. "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you." He’s not safe. Reject Him and you seal your own eternal doom. But He is infinitely good. Accept Him as King by faith and He will forgive, cleanse and save you. Turn their rejection into a triumphal entry to your heart! Let’s pray. 6