Post by Les Brewer on Apr 1, 2012 9:05:43 GMT
"The Purpose of Palm Sunday"
Luke 19:28-44
I always enjoy talking to people about their wedding. Each bride and groom has an idea of what they want their wedding ceremony to be like. The bride usually has particular music that she wants. She has a color scheme in mind. She wants a certain kind of reception, and has given lots of thought to her bridesmaids. Many of the brides I have dealt with have a big three-ringed notebook filled with all their wedding information. You see, the bride has been thinking about this particular day for years. I don’t want to leave the groom out. He usually has an idea of what he wants his wedding ceremony to be as well. Almost always, he wants it short.
Whether it is the part of a wedding ceremony or the way a service of worship is ordered, there is usually a reason for why things happen the way they do. And that’s the thought I want you to have as we look at the events of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem less than a week before His execution and one week before His glorious resurrection. I want you to look beyond the facts and ask, “Why?”.
It is certainly true that to some extent this was a spontaneous celebration. No one can make the people do what they didn’t want to do. But Jesus knew how the people would respond. The one thing that seems clear is that Jesus planned this whole event. I think it is a reasonable assumption to think Jesus had already made arrangements with someone to borrow a Donkey and it’s foal. But even if He didn’t make previous arrangements, the choice to come into Jerusalem on a donkey was deliberate. This was not a haphazard entrance into the city.
Since Jesus was being intentional about his entrance into Jerusalem . . . Why? What was it Jesus wanted to convey? What message(s) was he trying to communicate? Lets look at four possibilities.
The Triumphal Entry Was a Bold Proclamation of Kingship
When Jesus went into Jerusalem He was acting in a manner different than at any other time. Throughout the gospels we see Jesus as a humble servant. He sidestepped the public acclaim. He told those He healed to tell no one. When the crowd started to swell, He moved on. But now Jesus deliberately comes into Jerusalem in a fashion that would strengthen the people’s conclusion that Jesus is the Messiah.
A well known prophecy of the coming Messiah was found in the Old Testament book of Zechariah,
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. [Zech 9:9]
By coming into Jerusalem as Jesus was in effect proclaiming that He was the one they have been waiting for; the one who was righteous and was bringing salvation. And I think the people understood what exactly Jesus was saying.
The people cheered for Jesus using the words of Psalm 118. This Psalm was commonly used to greet pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for Passover. But this greeting seemed different. These people believed that the one they had looked forward to for all these years was now riding into the city of Jerusalem. If you don’t believe me, look at the response of the Jewish leaders. They understood that this was not the normal song sung to pilgrims entering Jerusalem. They felt it was blasphemous to give Jesus the kind of honor He was receiving. And the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law were right. It was indeed blasphemous to adore Jesus as they did . . . unless Jesus really was the Messiah, the Promised One of God.
As Jesus rode into the city the pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem for Passover took off their coats and put them on the ground for the donkey to walk upon. They took Palm branches and waved them and also threw them on the ground in front of Him. It was the equivalent of putting out the red carpet in our day.
The Pharisees appealed to Jesus to control the people. They pleaded with Him to stop this adoration and worship. But Jesus boldly declared that if the people didn’t praise Him the rocks would!
The Triumphal Entry Was a Declaration that Christ was Subject to God’s Timing not Man’s
The Chief Priests and Pharisees wanted to get Jesus out of the way, but they certainly didn’t want to do anything during Passover. Jerusalem was too crowded. The last thing these religious leaders wanted to do was to make a big scene during Passover. Jesus was much too popular. They wanted to arrest Jesus quietly. But God had other plans.
Passover was the perfect time for the atoning sacrifice of Christ. The whole Jewish system of worship was designed to point to Jesus. The sacrificing of the sacrificial lamb, the payment for sin that allows the angel of judgment to pass-over us. As the lambs were being slaughtered for Passover the perfect Lamb of God was giving His life for the very ones who killed Him. God’s timing allows us to see the significance of Christ’s death illustrated in the events that surrounded that death.
In addition to these things, God’s timing provided adequate evidence for future generations that Jesus was “set-up”. His conviction was a travesty. His execution was without warrant. In their rush to silence Jesus the civil and religious leaders broke many laws.
It was illegal to try a man without a waiting period
It was illegal to try a man at night
It was illegal to try a man without credible witnesses against him or allowing witnesses on behalf of the accused.
It was wrong for Pilate to agree to his execution even though he declared him innocent.
In some respects the activities of the religious leaders wasn’t much different from a mafia execution. There was no concern for justice. The only concern was to silence one who was “hurting business”.
The Triumphal Entry Underscored the Savior’s Voluntary Sacrifice
You may not see this fact immediately. You would remember about the power of people like Osma bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. They need only to speak the word and riots will break out. A strong leader has great power. And Jesus could have had that same kind of power. As Jesus entered Jerusalem He had the crowd in the palm of His hand.
Imagine what could have been. Suppose on the night of the Last Supper Jesus had said something like this to the disciples,
Guys, we have a traitor among us. Judas is planning to rat me out. (Judas would have never gotten out of the room).
Or suppose Jesus waited until Judas had already left. He could have said to his disciples,
The religious leaders are plotting to kill me. So, here’s what we’re going to do. After they arrest me I want you to go all around Jerusalem and let people know what is taking place. Wake people with your cries in the city. Encourage the people to come to hall of the High Priest. Let’s let the religious leaders know that they are in for the fight of their lives.
If Jesus had said these words to you think the crowd could have kept Jesus from being killed? I think so. The cries of “Crucify!” would not have been heard if the pilgrims who met Jesus on the road knew what was happening. Pilate would never have consented if public opinion had been against a crucifixion. The Jewish leaders would have been exposed as the schemers that they were.
What I want you to understand is that it was within the power of our Lord to avoid the suffering, the torture and the humiliation. But He walked willingly toward this suffering.
He deliberately came to Jerusalem even though He was a wanted man
He told Judas to go and do what he had to do
He asked for strength in the Garden to do what needed to be done rather than “getting out of town” or asking for the angels to rescue him.
He refused to let Peter fight for him in the garden and instead healed the ear of one of the guards who came out against him.
Instead of defending Himself before His accusers he remained quiet.
And instead of avoiding direct questions about His Kingship and deity he answered honestly knowing that it would lead to cries of blasphemy.
Jesus could have avoided it all. But He didn’t. And do you know why? It was because of you . . . and me. Jesus willingly gave His life as a payment for our sin. The Ruler of the world allowed Himself to be treated as a common criminal and executed in the cruelest fashion the world could have devised. He did all that to pay the price for our salvation.
The Triumphal Entry was a Demonstration of the Savior’s Love
And that leads us to the final lesson today. Ultimately, His entry into Jerusalem revealed the Savior’s Love. As Jesus caught the glimpse of Jerusalem there was no smile on His face. Instead, His heart was filled with sadness and grief. Luke tells us that Jesus said,
“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” [Luke 19:42-44]
In these words we see the heart of the Savior. Jerusalem was filled with those who sought to kill Him. We would have understood if he was angry at the city. Instead he wept. He knew that in around 40 years the city would lie in ruins. He knew that most in this grand city would not believe. He knew they would continue in their rebellion and face the discipline of the Father at the hands of the Romans. He knew many of these folks would never receive Him.
Wouldn’t it have been tempting to wash your hands of them completely? Not Jesus. His heart still longed to save them. He still loved those who remained obstinate. He still went to the cross so that He might save some.
In the death of Christ the wrath of God was satisfied. Justice was done (sin was punished). Satan’s hold on us was broken. Jesus could have saved Himself, but He concluded that you and I were worth saving. When Jesus walked into Jerusalem He went there out of love for us, and out of obedience to the Father.
CONCLUSIONS
So here’s the question: In light of this story where in the crowd you find yourself today? Who do you most identify with in the group that met Jesus outside Jerusalem? Are you an antagonist? Are you here in this sanctuary simply because your friends are here? Are you here because your parents made you come? Do you resist His claims on your life because you don’t want Him “messing with things?” Are you like the Pharisees, just looking for someone to make a mistake so that you can cry “hypocrite!” and feel justified in walking away from Christ?
My dear friend, please take another look. Look at His life, look at what He did, and see what He suffered. Understand why He suffered. You may be hostile to Him, but He is not hostile to you. Soften your heart and take hold to His message of grace and love.
Maybe you feel like one of those on the fringe of the crowd. You may not even see these people at first but they were always drawn to Jesus. These people weren’t in the front of the crowd cheering and reaching out to touch Jesus. It wasn’t that they weren’t interested. They were. They wanted more than anything to believe that He would receive them. They felt “unworthy” to draw close to Him.
I’m sure on that Palm Sunday morning there were many who considered themselves “untouchable” who longed for a relationship with the Master but felt unqualified. Everyone around them had written them off as hopeless. Some turned away from them is disgust and shame. They heard the whispers. They could see how others felt by looking in the eyes of those around them. And they assumed Jesus would do the same.
Is that how you feel? Perhaps you have made mistakes, and perhaps some of them have been whoppers. Maybe you’ve done things that were so bad that you have trouble admitting them even to yourself. Maybe you find it impossible to believe that Jesus could love you after all you have done.
Friend, Jesus looked at Jerusalem, a city that would soon turn against Him and put Him to death, He wasn’t angry, He was broken-hearted. He wept as a lover who cannot have the object of His desire. He wept as one who stands at the grave of someone who they hold dear. He sees you in the same way.
All throughout history He has put his arms around the broken and made them His own.
· The incestuous Tamar
· The harlot Rahab
· The murderer Moses
· The adulterer David
· The polygamist Solomon
· The arrogant Nebuchadnezzar
· The unnamed woman caught in adultery
· The Samaritan woman who had five husbands and was currently living with someone not her husband
· The Christian-killer Paul
· The tax-collector Nicodemus
· The doubter Thomas
· And Peter who denied Him in his hour of need
And He has extended grace to a multitude of others over the years. Our Lord doesn’t pretend that we haven’t done wrong. He doesn’t tell us it doesn’t matter. In fact, in the death of Christ we see how awful our sin really is. But He paid the price. He opens His arms to You. When Jesus prayed in the garden knowing that He could call ten thousand angels to defend him, He didn’t. And do you know why? It’s because He saw you.
There is not a person here today who can come to Christ without God’s grace and undeserved love. You are not as unique as you think you are. You may think today that you don’t belong here among all these Christian people. But you do belong. We have all been where you are. We are all sinners saved by grace.
May I encourage you to dare to believe? He loves you and has showed it by the way He marched into Jerusalem even though He knew it would lead to His execution. In the quietness of your home will you dare to receive His love? Will you take His hand? Right now in the quiet of your heart will you say this simple prayer: “Lord, make me yours. Cleanse me and make me new. I receive your salvation and your love.”
That’s it. Those are the words the Savior longs to hear. And if you pray that prayer sincerely you will be able to say that you are a “recovering sinner.” You will be able to say that you have been transformed by His grace. You will not only be forgiven, you will be a child of the King.
I have one more request: If you have made this commitment today will you let us know; one of us will pray for you and brief you with a few words to help you as you begin your walk with Christ.
There is one more group of people you may identify with on the road to Jerusalem. I hope it is the one that represents the majority of people here today. These are the ones who celebrated the greatness of the Lord. I hope and pray that those are the people you most identify with today. I hope you rejoice in the Savior’s love. I hope you are living in the power of resurrection life.
If you are one of those people may I make some suggestions to you?
1. Be on guard against sleeping your way through Holy Week. Don’t allow yourself to just go through the motions. Battle that sense that you have “been there, done that.” Work to see the Savior with fresh eyes. Remember where you were headed when He found you. Stop and list the change He has brought into your life. Think through the impact of His death and resurrection in you.
2. Maybe you can find yourself a palm leaf to display in your home to remind you of the appropriateness of worship. Maybe just for a couple of days you could leave your coat on the floor as if it were being laid before the King. Read aloud Psalms 113-118 as if you were reciting them before the King.
3. Read through the gospel accounts of the life of Jesus. You will find these accounts in the last several chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Put yourself in Jerusalem. See the Savior’s face. Imagine His eyes of love as He extended salvation to a fellow criminal. Imagine His compassion as He made arrangements for His mother to be cared for. See His agony in the garden and on the cross, imagine the joy of the disciples on Easter morning. Remember what He did. . . . and why He did it.
4. And finally, lift your voice in celebration and praise. Truly celebrate Jesus. Tell your friends about Him! Celebrate with your family! Look for ways to tell the world that in these uncertain times there is a reason for hope and joy, as well as a reason to sing. Show your friends the way to life. The story is old . . . but it is just as powerful as it was that day in Jerusalem. Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
©March 24, 2002 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche, LaHarpe, IL. 61450 www.unionchurch.com
Friends of Jesus are very greatful for the kind use of this sermon from LA Harpe Church. God bless you Rev Bruce Goettsche.
Luke 19:28-44
I always enjoy talking to people about their wedding. Each bride and groom has an idea of what they want their wedding ceremony to be like. The bride usually has particular music that she wants. She has a color scheme in mind. She wants a certain kind of reception, and has given lots of thought to her bridesmaids. Many of the brides I have dealt with have a big three-ringed notebook filled with all their wedding information. You see, the bride has been thinking about this particular day for years. I don’t want to leave the groom out. He usually has an idea of what he wants his wedding ceremony to be as well. Almost always, he wants it short.
Whether it is the part of a wedding ceremony or the way a service of worship is ordered, there is usually a reason for why things happen the way they do. And that’s the thought I want you to have as we look at the events of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem less than a week before His execution and one week before His glorious resurrection. I want you to look beyond the facts and ask, “Why?”.
It is certainly true that to some extent this was a spontaneous celebration. No one can make the people do what they didn’t want to do. But Jesus knew how the people would respond. The one thing that seems clear is that Jesus planned this whole event. I think it is a reasonable assumption to think Jesus had already made arrangements with someone to borrow a Donkey and it’s foal. But even if He didn’t make previous arrangements, the choice to come into Jerusalem on a donkey was deliberate. This was not a haphazard entrance into the city.
Since Jesus was being intentional about his entrance into Jerusalem . . . Why? What was it Jesus wanted to convey? What message(s) was he trying to communicate? Lets look at four possibilities.
The Triumphal Entry Was a Bold Proclamation of Kingship
When Jesus went into Jerusalem He was acting in a manner different than at any other time. Throughout the gospels we see Jesus as a humble servant. He sidestepped the public acclaim. He told those He healed to tell no one. When the crowd started to swell, He moved on. But now Jesus deliberately comes into Jerusalem in a fashion that would strengthen the people’s conclusion that Jesus is the Messiah.
A well known prophecy of the coming Messiah was found in the Old Testament book of Zechariah,
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. [Zech 9:9]
By coming into Jerusalem as Jesus was in effect proclaiming that He was the one they have been waiting for; the one who was righteous and was bringing salvation. And I think the people understood what exactly Jesus was saying.
The people cheered for Jesus using the words of Psalm 118. This Psalm was commonly used to greet pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for Passover. But this greeting seemed different. These people believed that the one they had looked forward to for all these years was now riding into the city of Jerusalem. If you don’t believe me, look at the response of the Jewish leaders. They understood that this was not the normal song sung to pilgrims entering Jerusalem. They felt it was blasphemous to give Jesus the kind of honor He was receiving. And the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law were right. It was indeed blasphemous to adore Jesus as they did . . . unless Jesus really was the Messiah, the Promised One of God.
As Jesus rode into the city the pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem for Passover took off their coats and put them on the ground for the donkey to walk upon. They took Palm branches and waved them and also threw them on the ground in front of Him. It was the equivalent of putting out the red carpet in our day.
The Pharisees appealed to Jesus to control the people. They pleaded with Him to stop this adoration and worship. But Jesus boldly declared that if the people didn’t praise Him the rocks would!
The Triumphal Entry Was a Declaration that Christ was Subject to God’s Timing not Man’s
The Chief Priests and Pharisees wanted to get Jesus out of the way, but they certainly didn’t want to do anything during Passover. Jerusalem was too crowded. The last thing these religious leaders wanted to do was to make a big scene during Passover. Jesus was much too popular. They wanted to arrest Jesus quietly. But God had other plans.
Passover was the perfect time for the atoning sacrifice of Christ. The whole Jewish system of worship was designed to point to Jesus. The sacrificing of the sacrificial lamb, the payment for sin that allows the angel of judgment to pass-over us. As the lambs were being slaughtered for Passover the perfect Lamb of God was giving His life for the very ones who killed Him. God’s timing allows us to see the significance of Christ’s death illustrated in the events that surrounded that death.
In addition to these things, God’s timing provided adequate evidence for future generations that Jesus was “set-up”. His conviction was a travesty. His execution was without warrant. In their rush to silence Jesus the civil and religious leaders broke many laws.
It was illegal to try a man without a waiting period
It was illegal to try a man at night
It was illegal to try a man without credible witnesses against him or allowing witnesses on behalf of the accused.
It was wrong for Pilate to agree to his execution even though he declared him innocent.
In some respects the activities of the religious leaders wasn’t much different from a mafia execution. There was no concern for justice. The only concern was to silence one who was “hurting business”.
The Triumphal Entry Underscored the Savior’s Voluntary Sacrifice
You may not see this fact immediately. You would remember about the power of people like Osma bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. They need only to speak the word and riots will break out. A strong leader has great power. And Jesus could have had that same kind of power. As Jesus entered Jerusalem He had the crowd in the palm of His hand.
Imagine what could have been. Suppose on the night of the Last Supper Jesus had said something like this to the disciples,
Guys, we have a traitor among us. Judas is planning to rat me out. (Judas would have never gotten out of the room).
Or suppose Jesus waited until Judas had already left. He could have said to his disciples,
The religious leaders are plotting to kill me. So, here’s what we’re going to do. After they arrest me I want you to go all around Jerusalem and let people know what is taking place. Wake people with your cries in the city. Encourage the people to come to hall of the High Priest. Let’s let the religious leaders know that they are in for the fight of their lives.
If Jesus had said these words to you think the crowd could have kept Jesus from being killed? I think so. The cries of “Crucify!” would not have been heard if the pilgrims who met Jesus on the road knew what was happening. Pilate would never have consented if public opinion had been against a crucifixion. The Jewish leaders would have been exposed as the schemers that they were.
What I want you to understand is that it was within the power of our Lord to avoid the suffering, the torture and the humiliation. But He walked willingly toward this suffering.
He deliberately came to Jerusalem even though He was a wanted man
He told Judas to go and do what he had to do
He asked for strength in the Garden to do what needed to be done rather than “getting out of town” or asking for the angels to rescue him.
He refused to let Peter fight for him in the garden and instead healed the ear of one of the guards who came out against him.
Instead of defending Himself before His accusers he remained quiet.
And instead of avoiding direct questions about His Kingship and deity he answered honestly knowing that it would lead to cries of blasphemy.
Jesus could have avoided it all. But He didn’t. And do you know why? It was because of you . . . and me. Jesus willingly gave His life as a payment for our sin. The Ruler of the world allowed Himself to be treated as a common criminal and executed in the cruelest fashion the world could have devised. He did all that to pay the price for our salvation.
The Triumphal Entry was a Demonstration of the Savior’s Love
And that leads us to the final lesson today. Ultimately, His entry into Jerusalem revealed the Savior’s Love. As Jesus caught the glimpse of Jerusalem there was no smile on His face. Instead, His heart was filled with sadness and grief. Luke tells us that Jesus said,
“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” [Luke 19:42-44]
In these words we see the heart of the Savior. Jerusalem was filled with those who sought to kill Him. We would have understood if he was angry at the city. Instead he wept. He knew that in around 40 years the city would lie in ruins. He knew that most in this grand city would not believe. He knew they would continue in their rebellion and face the discipline of the Father at the hands of the Romans. He knew many of these folks would never receive Him.
Wouldn’t it have been tempting to wash your hands of them completely? Not Jesus. His heart still longed to save them. He still loved those who remained obstinate. He still went to the cross so that He might save some.
In the death of Christ the wrath of God was satisfied. Justice was done (sin was punished). Satan’s hold on us was broken. Jesus could have saved Himself, but He concluded that you and I were worth saving. When Jesus walked into Jerusalem He went there out of love for us, and out of obedience to the Father.
CONCLUSIONS
So here’s the question: In light of this story where in the crowd you find yourself today? Who do you most identify with in the group that met Jesus outside Jerusalem? Are you an antagonist? Are you here in this sanctuary simply because your friends are here? Are you here because your parents made you come? Do you resist His claims on your life because you don’t want Him “messing with things?” Are you like the Pharisees, just looking for someone to make a mistake so that you can cry “hypocrite!” and feel justified in walking away from Christ?
My dear friend, please take another look. Look at His life, look at what He did, and see what He suffered. Understand why He suffered. You may be hostile to Him, but He is not hostile to you. Soften your heart and take hold to His message of grace and love.
Maybe you feel like one of those on the fringe of the crowd. You may not even see these people at first but they were always drawn to Jesus. These people weren’t in the front of the crowd cheering and reaching out to touch Jesus. It wasn’t that they weren’t interested. They were. They wanted more than anything to believe that He would receive them. They felt “unworthy” to draw close to Him.
I’m sure on that Palm Sunday morning there were many who considered themselves “untouchable” who longed for a relationship with the Master but felt unqualified. Everyone around them had written them off as hopeless. Some turned away from them is disgust and shame. They heard the whispers. They could see how others felt by looking in the eyes of those around them. And they assumed Jesus would do the same.
Is that how you feel? Perhaps you have made mistakes, and perhaps some of them have been whoppers. Maybe you’ve done things that were so bad that you have trouble admitting them even to yourself. Maybe you find it impossible to believe that Jesus could love you after all you have done.
Friend, Jesus looked at Jerusalem, a city that would soon turn against Him and put Him to death, He wasn’t angry, He was broken-hearted. He wept as a lover who cannot have the object of His desire. He wept as one who stands at the grave of someone who they hold dear. He sees you in the same way.
All throughout history He has put his arms around the broken and made them His own.
· The incestuous Tamar
· The harlot Rahab
· The murderer Moses
· The adulterer David
· The polygamist Solomon
· The arrogant Nebuchadnezzar
· The unnamed woman caught in adultery
· The Samaritan woman who had five husbands and was currently living with someone not her husband
· The Christian-killer Paul
· The tax-collector Nicodemus
· The doubter Thomas
· And Peter who denied Him in his hour of need
And He has extended grace to a multitude of others over the years. Our Lord doesn’t pretend that we haven’t done wrong. He doesn’t tell us it doesn’t matter. In fact, in the death of Christ we see how awful our sin really is. But He paid the price. He opens His arms to You. When Jesus prayed in the garden knowing that He could call ten thousand angels to defend him, He didn’t. And do you know why? It’s because He saw you.
There is not a person here today who can come to Christ without God’s grace and undeserved love. You are not as unique as you think you are. You may think today that you don’t belong here among all these Christian people. But you do belong. We have all been where you are. We are all sinners saved by grace.
May I encourage you to dare to believe? He loves you and has showed it by the way He marched into Jerusalem even though He knew it would lead to His execution. In the quietness of your home will you dare to receive His love? Will you take His hand? Right now in the quiet of your heart will you say this simple prayer: “Lord, make me yours. Cleanse me and make me new. I receive your salvation and your love.”
That’s it. Those are the words the Savior longs to hear. And if you pray that prayer sincerely you will be able to say that you are a “recovering sinner.” You will be able to say that you have been transformed by His grace. You will not only be forgiven, you will be a child of the King.
I have one more request: If you have made this commitment today will you let us know; one of us will pray for you and brief you with a few words to help you as you begin your walk with Christ.
There is one more group of people you may identify with on the road to Jerusalem. I hope it is the one that represents the majority of people here today. These are the ones who celebrated the greatness of the Lord. I hope and pray that those are the people you most identify with today. I hope you rejoice in the Savior’s love. I hope you are living in the power of resurrection life.
If you are one of those people may I make some suggestions to you?
1. Be on guard against sleeping your way through Holy Week. Don’t allow yourself to just go through the motions. Battle that sense that you have “been there, done that.” Work to see the Savior with fresh eyes. Remember where you were headed when He found you. Stop and list the change He has brought into your life. Think through the impact of His death and resurrection in you.
2. Maybe you can find yourself a palm leaf to display in your home to remind you of the appropriateness of worship. Maybe just for a couple of days you could leave your coat on the floor as if it were being laid before the King. Read aloud Psalms 113-118 as if you were reciting them before the King.
3. Read through the gospel accounts of the life of Jesus. You will find these accounts in the last several chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Put yourself in Jerusalem. See the Savior’s face. Imagine His eyes of love as He extended salvation to a fellow criminal. Imagine His compassion as He made arrangements for His mother to be cared for. See His agony in the garden and on the cross, imagine the joy of the disciples on Easter morning. Remember what He did. . . . and why He did it.
4. And finally, lift your voice in celebration and praise. Truly celebrate Jesus. Tell your friends about Him! Celebrate with your family! Look for ways to tell the world that in these uncertain times there is a reason for hope and joy, as well as a reason to sing. Show your friends the way to life. The story is old . . . but it is just as powerful as it was that day in Jerusalem. Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
©March 24, 2002 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche, LaHarpe, IL. 61450 www.unionchurch.com
Friends of Jesus are very greatful for the kind use of this sermon from LA Harpe Church. God bless you Rev Bruce Goettsche.
