Sermon Tone Analysis

! Introduction:

The “triumphal entry” is found in all four Gospel accounts with varying components.

Some of John’s unique details include the mention of palm branches (v.

13), the editorial reflection upon the significance of the event (v.

16), and the response of the Pharisee observers (v.

19).

John uses the triumphal entry to highlight the popular support for Jesus from the crowds.

He explains this popularity as being a result of the raising of Lazarus.

On this “Palm Sunday” the “triumphal procession” of Jesus is a joyous celebration.

It is not a formal affair sanctioned by the Sanhedrin or the Roman officials in Jerusalem.

It is spontaneously staged by the common folk, the people astounded by the word that Jesus “called Lazarus from the tomb” (v.

17).

This is the revelation of Jesus as the coming King and involves both a false and true concept of His coming.

1.

The crowds gathered for the Passover (v.12).

2.

The false concept of Christ (v.12-13).

3.         The true concept of Christ (v.

14-15 cf.

Mark 11:1-11).

4.         The triumphal entry (v.

14-15 cf.

Mark 11:8-10)

            5.

Jesus’ reaction (Luke 19:39-44)

6.

The disciples’ reaction (v.16).

7.

The people’s reaction (v.17-18).

8.

The religionists’ reaction: despair and rage (v.19).

!!! 1.

The Crowds Gathered For The Passover (v.12).

!!!! a)                  A great multitude was swarming into Jerusalem for the Passover.

!!!!! (1)                 *The next day* would be Sunday (which began at sundown on Saturday evening).

!!!!! (2)                 It is estimated that over two million people were involved in the great Passover Feast.

!!!!! (3)                 256,500 lambs were slain at one Passover and that each lamb represented at least ten worshippers.

This puts the number of people well over two million.

!!!!! (4)                 Teeming thousands from all over the world were flooding into the city to observe the Passover.

!!! 2.                  The False Concept Of Christ (v12-13).

!!!! a)                  An earthly Savior.

One who is to bring utopia (an ideally perfect place, especially in its social, political and moral aspects) to earth for the people of God.

The false concept sees Jesus...

!!!!! (1)                 *as the /Conqueror/*: the One who is to straighten out the problems of this earth by overcoming all the enemies of mankind including evil men, hunger, disease, and poverty.

!!!!! (2)                 *as the /Provider/*: the One who is to feed, house, and give health and plenty and success to man; as the One who is to be sought to bless man in all the good things of life.

!!!!! (3)                 *as the /Indulgent, Passive Lord/*: the One who accepts man no matter what man does, just so he is somewhat religious; as the One who allows man to live as he desires, doing his own thing despite the sin and injustices and immorality of his behavior.

*The False Concept Fails To See Two Things In Understanding The Messiahship Of Jesus*.

!!!!! (1)                 */It fails to see the Demand Of Christ: /*

!!!!!! (a)                 to serve by reaching out to a world that is lost (Matt.28:19).

!!!!!! (b)                for self-denial, a denial that demands the giving of all one is and has to meet the needs of the world.

!!!!! (2)                 */It fails to see the spiritual concern of Christ:/* */His concern with:/*

!!!!!! (a)                 bringing peace between man and God

!!!!!! (b)                saving man, and seeing to it that man lives /with God/ and not separate from God;

!!!!!! (c)                 man understanding that God is holy, righteous, and pure;

!!!!!! (d)                man living a life of faith and diligently seeking God;

!!!!!! (e)                 man living a holy, righteous, and pure life in order to be acceptable to God.

* *

*Note Several Significant Facts In This Point*—

!!!!! (1)                 It was */“a great multitude”/* that */“took braches of palm trees”/* and */“went out”/* to meet Him and */“cried out Hosanna” /(v.12-13)*.

Many today have a false concept of Jesus as the earthly King and Savior of man, as the Ultimate Santa Claus.

!!!!! (2)                 “Hosanna,” which means /save now/, or /save, we pray/.

!!!!!! (a)                 Man desires to be free, but to be free on this earth so that he can move about and do as he pleases, thinking little if any about being free form the bondage of sin.

!!!!!! (b)                Man thinks little about sin and death.

!!!!!! (c)                 Man thinks little of spiritual freedom, & eternal life.

* *

*The False Concept Of Christ Sees Him As The One Who Gives Us /Material Blessings/  *

What people fail to understand is that they must come to Jesus because they love Him, not because they can get something out of Him.

They must come because of who He is, not because He blesses them with the  earthly possessions.

!!!! b)                  God’s blessings are spiritual and heavenly, not material blessings (Ephesians 1:3).

!!!!! (1)                 *Spiritual blessings /are of the Spirit/*.

It is the Spirit that controls man and the circumstances that surround him.

A man may feel bad; he may be down, depressed and oppressed; but if his spirit is strong, he arises and conquers his feelings.

He controls and overcomes the oppressing circumstances, and he lives a victorious day.

But if his spirit is weak, he often wallows around in self-pity, grumbling and griping and living a defeated day.

And too often the days stretch into weeks and months until a person’s life is down more than it is up—all because the spirit is too weak to conquer.

*Therefore, the major blessings of God are bound to be blessings that are spiritual—that enable a person to control his life.*

!!!!! (2)                 *Spiritual blessings are inward not outward.

*They are the /blessings of the inner man/, the blessings of the immortal.

But of all blessings, they are the most glorious and satisfying.

They are the blessings that take away the loneliness, alienation, and purposelessness of man.

They are the blessings that give man peace and security.

!!!!! (3)                 *Spiritual blessings are eternal not temporal.

*They are /permanent and perfect and eternal/, lasting forever.

An earthly inheritance does not last.

It is subject to being lost, stolen or decayed.

When we die, our material blessings are left behind.

Spiritual blessings exist and can be experienced both upon earth (the physical dimension of being) and in heaven (the spiritual dimension of being).

!!!!! (4)                 *Spiritual blessings are found only /in Christ/*.

Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God the Father.

He is in heaven, surrounded by all the heavenly atmosphere and blessings.

All heavenly blessings are His; He is Lord and Possesser of all blessings.

Therefore, if a person is to experience the spiritual blessings, he must be /in Christ/.

"Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."

(2 Timothy 2:3-4, NKJV)

"Do not love the world or the things in the world.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

(1 John 2:15-17, NKJV)

/"And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”"

(Acts 2:40, NKJV) /

*Palm Branches (v.13):

These Were A Symbol Of Victory And Triumph.*

The palm branches were symbolic of a nationalistic spirit *(like waving the American Flag)*.

They were waved triumphantly as a conqueror rode through the city streets.

The people were welcoming Jesus as the great Conqueror and mighty Deliverer.

!!! 3.                  The True Concept—The Colt (Mark 11:1-11).

!!!! a)                  The Colt—Christ Came In Peace (v.1-7; John 12:14-15).

!!!!! (1)                 *The Colt Was A Symbol Of Peace*.

Kings and their emissaries used the colt in ancient days.