The King Of Humility Series

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 18:12 (ESV)

P: Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,

C: but humility comes before honor.

Have you heard that word haughty?

What does haughty mean to you?

When I first heard its definition

it made me think of the word naughty.

But a better synonym would be proud.

In the Bible,

“haughty” signifies a proud, arrogant, and disdainful attitude,

exalting oneself

often characterized by a sense of superiority and contempt for others,

ultimately placing oneself above God.

How many of you enjoy being around people that are constantly proud?

Maybe it brings out good competition in sports,

and there are some people who are more naturally competitive than others.

But I think most people

would like to take a break from the drama at times

and would rather enjoy each other’s company.

I find

to enjoy each other’s company

it takes more of a humble heart

--the desire to know how others are doing

as you get to know their story.

It’s not to walk around like you are better than everyone one else.

… But,

I suppose it depends what you are trying to accomplish at the time.

Do you see Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem

as a haughty move

or an act of humility?

Jesus goes into Jerusalem,

and he’s with his 12 disciples.

He’s with a whole caravan of people

entering into Jerusalem.

People are pouring into Jerusalem

from all over the place

from all different directions

not primarily to see Jesus

but for the sake of celebrating Passover.

Just outside of Jerusalem

near Bethphage and Bethany

Jesus prepares his entry into Jerusalem

by having two disciples go into a village

to get a colt

--a young donkey.

No one had ever ridden this donkey before.

As they go get the donkey

the person asks why they would need it.

They told them that Jesus needs it.

And the owner was ready and willing

to let Jesus use the colt.

And this donkey owner wasn’t the only one that was supportive of Jesus.

Just about the whole city was excited that Jesus was in the city.

As Jesus enters into the Jerusalem,

the people spread their cloaks on the road

preparing the way for Jesus.

They remember of all his humble miracle works.

Jesus never demanded anything in return

for all the he did.

Jesus didn’t just speak the truth to Israel.

He did such amazing work

the people couldn’t help but praise him.

They shouted,

Hosanna!

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

The people were blessed by Jesus.

And his humility brought him honor.

Jesus didn’t specifically mention what great work he did.

He never boasted in himself.

Rather,

many people loved how he just cared for his neighbor

as Jesus led the people to repent of their sins

so that the people could have a strong relationship with the Lord.

By the people looking to God for salvation

they were able to be at peace with the Lord.

It was through the Lord

that the people are able to have an eternal relationship with him.

Jesus was just being praised for the restoration Jesus had brought to Israel.

But the Pharisees thought Jesus was just stealing the show.

… Perhaps they were believing Jesus was not humble but haughty.

There was usually some sort of parade for the people to begin celebrating Passover.

And the Pharisees hand not planned for Jesus to be praised during the parade.

They wanted the glory to be put into what they had planned beforehand.

So they told Jesus,

“Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”

But Jesus answered,

“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Jesus has already told the Pharisees what they ought to do

be on the right side with God.

Even John the Baptist, the man before Jesus, led the Pharisees with the same message

--that they were a group of people

that needed to repent from their ways

and turn to the Lord.

For three plus years,

they rejected this teaching

even though all the others saw what amazing things Jesus had done.

But even this praise for Jesus wouldn’t last long.

Yes,

even though nature continues to give God the glory

people find a way

to lose their focus off of him

and go back to praising something else besides God.

Many times people go back to praising themselves.

In our Gospel lesson,

Jesus weeps at the fact that the people would turn on the Lord.

Because of their selfishness and rejection

their God-given shining city of Jerusalem

would be destroyed.

… And about forty years later,

it was destroyed.

But that wasn’t the only destruction Jesus knew he was walking into.