Love Never Fails: An Unusual Kingdom

Introduction

Go with me to ancient Jerusalem — about a week before Passover begins. Jesus and the Disciples were travelling to Jerusalem, but stopped to rest at Bethany (only a mile or two from the city).

Let’s look in on the scene

John 12:1–3 ESV

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Although this meal was in Jesus’ honor, the atmosphere is somber — there was a burden in the heart of Jesus. The talk was of burial...

Judas complained about the expensive perfume - made from Nard, an oily perfume extracted from the root and spike of the plant, grown in India. Not something she could just pick up at her local Walmart.

The nard was worth more than a year’s wages - Judas feigned outrage because of the starving people they could feed with the sale of that perfume. Of course, he was greedy and wanted the money for himself.

John 12:7–8 NIV

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Mary unbound her hair in order to wipe Jesus’ feet with it. This was not done in public…it was disgraceful. Yet she did it…she was moved by the deepest feelings of loyalty to her Master/Rabbi/Friend. She didn’t care what people would say.

The house is immediately saturated with the fragrance of Mary’s extravagant act of love

“It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. Leave her alone…she has done a beautiful thing.”

Lazarus was present for this meal with Jesus. Yes, the very same Lazarus whom Jesus had risen from the dead.

The word had spread far and wide about the miracle Jesus’ performed for Lazarus. Many were in the area, wanting to see this man who could command death to reverse itself.

Others were there also…the Pharisees. They were planning to kill Jesus and Lazarus…many were following Jesus because of Lazarus.

The next day was what we know as Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1–11 NIV

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Prayer

Jesus’s heart was burdened as he made that final journey down the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem.

Luke tells us in 19:41 that, when Jesus saw Jerusalem, he burst into tears and wept because their unbelief would lead to their destruction.

Jesus rode on…knowing why He was there and what He would do

Moved by unfailing love, Jesus rode into Jerusalem, knowing His suffering would bring eternal life to you, me, and all who believe.

Picture the scene…like a king’s procession, or a conquering commander marching into town from a huge victory — Jesus advances on Jerusalem

The crowds were enormous - pilgrims had come from all over Palestine and every corner of the known world. Josephus, a first century Jewish historian, estimates the crowd to be more than 2.5 million

He rode in as King…and rightfully so, even though many of those people would turn on Him within a few days.

His Kingship is unusual in several ways.

Jesus’ Kingship Brings Peace

The kingship of Jesus does have military and political elements, because He reflects the righteous and just character of God, who is King over all

Zechariah 9:9–10 NIV

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

The people do not understand yet…but Jesus rides in as the king who offers peace

Kings riding in on a large steed signify victory in war or the King riding out to war. But when a king rode the humble colt of a donkey, this signified peace for his kingdom.

When Jesus rides in, peace overtakes fear

John 12:15 NIV

“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

When Jesus rides in; mercy, gentleness, and forgiveness ride with Him

Of course…Jesus knew that, in order to bring peace, hope, grace and salvation…the cost would be everything!

What Jesus accomplished for us is not something we can accomplish for ourselves

Transition: His Kingship is also unusual because..

Jesus’s Kingship is Divisive

Some welcomed Him with enthusiasm (short-lived for many)

Others plotted His defeat and death

It is still divisive — we fight a spiritual battle every day

The world is fallen because of sin — and God’s rival (the prince of this world), holds many captive — fighting to keep them blind and enslaved

When Jesus shows up in our lives…He defeats the rebel kingdom we have been serving

When Jesus shows up in our lives…we face death before we can know life

Transition: His Kingship is also unique because..

Jesus’s Kingship is Universal

John 12:19 NIV

So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

They were exaggerating, but it must have seemed like the whole world — impossible to defeat, they thought. But they kept trying

Many races were represented among those Passover pilgrims - indeed the passage mentions some Greeks who wanted to speak with Jesus.

Remember the scene on the Day of Pentecost…after Jesus resurrection, when the Holy Spirit fell.

Acts 2:9–11 NIV

Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

The world truly has gone after Jesus…today, the Body of Christ is international

At least 1/3 of the human race belong to the Christian community, anticipating the day when the Lamb of God, who is our King, will be praised, upon His throne

Revelation 5:9 NIV

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

CHALLENGE

Jesus wept over Jerusalem that day - because of their unbelief

Many people have experienced God’s presence in their lives, but still reject Him

Jesus came to bring eternal life to all who would repent and trust in Him…yet many choose to reject Him

Some of the people that shouted “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord,” would in a few days be shouting “Crucify Him.”

Jesus sacrificed His very life for us…if we will only believe on Him

He gave us freewill — it is our choice

Jesus rode into Jerusalem that day to bring peace to lost souls — people beaten and harassed by this life.

He also drew a line in the sand…we are in a battle. What Jesus offers is divisive…it makes us choose who we will serve