Glory In The Triumphant Entry Series

Reading: John chapter 12 verses 12-17.

Ill:

• After going on a diet, a woman was really feeling good about herself;

• Especially when she was able to fit into a pair of jeans she had outgrown long ago.

• "Look, look!" she shouted while running downstairs to show her husband.

• "I can wear my old jeans again!"

• Her husband looked at her for a long time,

• Obviously struggling with knowing what to say.

• Finally, he just had to say it,

• "Darling, I love you, but those are my jeans."

If you ever get things wrong:

• You are in very good company!

• We all know how you feel because we’ve all been there!

• Some people look at the events of Easter as something that went wrong;

• They think Jesus got backed into a corner he could not get out of!

• Many view him as a martyr;

• A willing victim overtaken by events.

• We know of course that the very opposite is true!

• Jesus was in perfect control of everything he did.

• His entry into Jerusalem was not spontaneous and unplanned;

• Mark in his gospel (chapter 11 verse 1-6) tells us that Jesus sent two disciples ahead.

• They went to find a colt not buy a colt;

• They were only to say; “The Lord has need of it”!

• They returned with it;

• And the entrance of Jesus would be calculated and quite deliberate!

The road to the cross was a….

(1). Road of Destiny (verses 12-13):

“The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.

• The feast of Passover is around March-April;

• It is one of the great festivals of the Jewish year when the people reminded themselves:

• Of the dramatic way in which God had saved them,

• Miraculously rescued them from their Egyptian task-masters (Exodus chapter 12).

• So it was a time of fun and excitement; a party time atmosphere would be in the air.

• Large numbers of people would make the trip to Jerusalem from all over the world!

• The people came expectantly, maybe this year the Messiah would come;

• And set them free from their oppressors - The Romans!

On this occasion it was more enthusiastic and fervent than normal:

• “The great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.

• Those who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead were in Jerusalem spreading the news.

• The atmosphere was one of absolute expectancy;

• They were going to be the select few who would welcome the Messiah to Jerusalem.

Question: How would the nation recognise their Messiah?

Answer: Twofold:

• One way was word of mouth – news spread of what Jesus was able to do!

• Give sight to blind, cast out demons, heal the sick, even raise the dead!

• The other way to recognise the Messiah;

• Was the Messiah fulfilling prophecies.

Ill:

• If someone arrives at your house claiming to be an ambassador of the Queen,

• You would expect him or her to have proof of who they are!

• Where is your identification;

• Where is your security pass or passport etc.

In a similar way:

• When Jesus arrived on planet earth what credentials of proof to who he was.

• A phrase that you read again and again is this; “So that the scripture might be fulfilled”

• Prophecies written by God in the Old Testament part of the Bible;

• Were fulfilled, sometimes fulfilled in great detail!

Several are fulfilled in this story:

(A). EXAMPLE OF A BROAD PROPHECY:

13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

Hosanna!

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

Blessed is the King of Israel!”

• The words that the crowd shouted;

• Are taken from several Old Testament Psalms.

• Although this was a spontaneous act of devotion to Jesus;

• Their was logic and reason in the crowds choice of words.

• Hosanna originally was a cry to heaven for help;

• It originally meant; “Save us we pray”;

• Later on as language changed, the word changed in its usage;

• And came to signify rejoicing and became an expression of praise.

Ill:

In English we have done the same with the expression “God save the King or Queen”.

• Originally the phrase had a comma “God, (comma) save the King or Queen”.

• In this form it was a prayer.

• Later on the comma was dropped and “God save the King or Queen”.

• Became a shout of praise or honour.