A Day Of Celebration

“A Day of Celebration”

March 20, 2016

Mark 11:1-10

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Today is a day of celebration. It is my birthday; it is the first day of spring; and it is Palm Sunday. I really have a lot to celebrate today. I feel so blessed. My life is filled with love and joy and all God’s blessings. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the flowers are filling the world with color and beauty and sweet fragrance. I have a wonderful family around me, a church family who loves me, and friends who make my life blessed. Who wouldn’t be celebrating?

This time of year always puts a smile on my face. Growing up in Northern Minnesota where the winters seemed so long and cold; where everything seemed dead and dirty; I looked forward to March. I looked forward to Spring. The weather warmed up; the birds returned and the trees budded out. I always trilled at seeing that first robin and smelling the first lilac flowers. I love Spring, but that isn’t what I am celebrating.

Yes, it is my birthday. My family and my church family have always gone to such lengths to make me feel loved and appreciated. We always have cake and ice cream and I am showered with gifts of love. I love having my friends honor me, not with their presents – but with their presents. Not with gifts – but by being there. I suppose we will have colorful cake and brightly colored gifts and the sights and sounds and smells will bless us.

I love Spring and I love birthday parties, but that isn’t what I am celebrating most. I am celebrating the Triumphal Entry of the King of kings into His Kingdom. I am celebrating the Humble King declaring His Kingship.

Imagine the Creator of this universe humbling Himself. This great God who created the galaxies and the solar systems, who created DNA and irreducibly complexed machines in our bodies; this awesome Creator God who created life and formed man from mud – humbles Himself.

WOW! That is awesome to think about. God didn’t need anyone’s approval. He didn’t need to bow to anyone. But He did. Instead of coming as the Conquering King – He came first as a Humble Servant. Rather than riding a great white charger or a gold decorated chariot – he rode a simple, plain, donkey. He could have come in those chariots of fire that Elisha saw, with ten thousand angels with flaming fiery swords. But He didn’t. Why not? He had the power. He had the authority.

Well, I will tell you why. Love humbled Him. He loved the world so much that he left the splendor of heaven to be born in a stable. He loved the world so much, He laid aside His crown to serve those He loved. He loved the world so much; He loved you and me so much - that He willing went to the cross. And His Enemy; the enemy of our souls – fought Him every step of the way.

Make no mistake about it. Jesus was the King. Jesus was and is the Creator of this awesome universe and all creation. That is easy to see. The Bible says,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4