"An Essential Trip" Matthew 21:1-11

Background

This is the story of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on what has come to be known as Palm Sunday. Jesus’ ministry on earth has gone through three seasons/phases during its three years: A season of inauguration (obscurity), Popularity, and now a season of Rejection.

He’s on His way to Jerusalem and approached a place called Bethphage (house of figs) on the Mount of Olives.

He tells His disciples to go into a nearby village and they would find an ass and her colt. Loose them and bring them to Him, and He will send them.

If the owners would ask what they are doing, respond that “The Lord hath need of them.”

A) Jesus had prophetic knowledge of animals and exactly where they would be. There was no pre-arranged agreement.

B) The disciples obeyed unconditionally, On the surface, they were committing theft, taking someone else’s property. But this was God in the flesh talking to them. When God is speaking, we need to obey unconditionally…

The wedding in Cana - Mary told them “Whatever He tells you to do, do it.”

Mark 8 - Spit on the blind man’s eyes twice...

C) There was no hesitation from the owner or the animals. “The Lord hath need of them.” The owners must have been followers of Jesus. Engage people on their level of understanding, ex: telling co-workers I’m going to the District Meeting

D) Jesus is LORD - HE is in complete control…and we submit to His authority over our lives...

“The Lord hath need of them”

We don’t listen to everybody…”My sheep know my voice, and a stranger they will not follow.”

No Excuses - Luke 14:16 “Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:” Luke 14:17 “And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:18 “And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.”

EXCUSES are tools of incompetence...

We need to stay available to whatever God needs from us...

Paul - apprehended (in custody) I’m always available because I’m right there with Him, in His presence…available

How many times has God given you direction during your prayer time? worship? reading your Word? on a fast?

Palm Sunday

“Lessons from the Crowd”

The disciples did as they were instructed. The two disciples do as is instructed and bring the donkey and colt. Cloaks are placed on the animals, and the crowd spreads cloaks on the road for the animals to walk over. Others cut down and spread out branches on the road. The crowd all around shouts out:

“HOSANNA to the Son of David! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!”

Different gospels record different wording, but the spirit and the tone were the same...

A) Jesus was the promised heir to David’s throne

B) his mission was “in the name” of His Father

C) Salvation would accompany His work

D) God would be glorified

Verse 10 - Caused the city’s inhabitants to wonder who this was and what was going on! THE WHOLE CITY WAS MOVED!

What would happen if we got so excited about JESUS that it impacted the entire city of Los Angeles?!?!

East LA

The Valley

South LA

Santa Monica

Hollywood

“It Was Essential”

Every event, every decision was essential for the next thing to take place in God’s Divine will.

Palm Sunday begins the week of His Passion that would take him to Calvary by Friday, and Resurrection by the following Sunday.

Remove any part of the story today, and the whole plot shifts!

Events that advance the plot…ex. If the 3 Bears had stayed home, the whole story changes. I none of the 3 Little Pigs had built their house out of brick, the whole story changes

“So that the Scriptures may be fulfilled” Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.”

We’ve got to do it God’s Way…it’s essential

Some of us are on pause…ex: Video games…can’t move to the next level until you clear that level first (PacMan)

After Sunday: