Sermon Central
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Have You Not Read? Palm Sunday, 2025
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 18, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: The religious in Jerusalem missed 2 critical applications that we must not: The old testament prophecy of Zechariah was fulfilled in what Jesus did (because of who He is), and, these were the same leaders charged with teaching God’s word and they don’t know it!
Have You Not Read? (Palm Sunday 2025)
Matthew 21:1-17
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons! We are so glad you have chosen to be here today!
- If you’ve been to church for any time, prob heard about Jesus’ triumphant entry
-- The significance of this moment written in history and fulfillment of prophecy
-- But what about the rest of that day; What else happened that we can learn from?
- Want us to see what sets the stage for this (holy) week’s events …
-- Perhaps we can take some time to reflect on how this event triggers the week
-- It is a faith affirming kind of day for the Church – one of the most exciting IMO
? RE: HOLY WEEK DEVOTIONALS TO POST
PRAY / TR: Two themes clearly depicted here … first is …
Point 1 – The importance of Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
Read Matthew 21:1-11
- The story of the triumphal entry is one of the few incidents in all 4 Gospels!!
-- (handout) Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19
- Putting the four Gospels together, it becomes very clear that:
• The triumphal entry was a significant turning point
• Not only to the people of Jesus’ day (as evidenced here)
• But to Christians who would/should know this story throughout time
- Jesus’ purpose of riding into Jerusalem was to make public one thing:
-- It’s a definitive claim to be their Messiah & King (fulfillment of OT prophecy)
- Matthew tells that the King riding on the foal of a donkey is predicted: (v5)
-- Zechariah 9:9, (BIG) “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
- SEE: Jesus rides into the capital city (God’s city) as a conquering King:
• He is hailed by the people as such; streets of Jerusalem are open to Him
• Like a king He ascends to His palace; rightful place of authority
• But know: He does not ascend to a physical palace, but to a spiritual one
• This is what the crowd could not grasp at this moment (yet we can!!)
- The spreading of cloaks was an act of homage to royalty:
-- OT Ref: 2 Kings 9:13, “They quickly took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!”
-- APP: Jesus was openly declaring to the people that He was their King
- APP: He receives their worship and praise because only He deserves it!
-- He does not tell His disciples to be quiet about Him (seen in Matt 12:16, 16:20)
-- Instead, even they join in to shout His praises and worship Him publicly
- REALIZE: Unfortunately, the praise the people lavished on Jesus was not because they recognized Him as their Savior from their (our) sin …
-- They welcomed Him out of their desire for a conqueror or deliverer of a gov’t
- IMP: He entered the Holy City in a gesture of humility; of humbleness
-- Even greeted him with palm branches - which signifies victory and triumph
- They wanted someone who would lead them in a revolt against Rome
-- Many did not believe in Him as Savior; nevertheless hoped He could rescue
-- These are the ones who hailed Him as King with their shouts of, “Hosannah!”
- Some recognized Him as the Son of David who came in the name of the Lord
-- RE: Ch 11:1 – “out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot …”
-- But, once He failed in their expectations, the crowds quickly turn on Him
-- Within just a few days, their hosannas would change to cries of “Crucify Him!”
- TR: Now, many stop the study here … but there is SO much more!
-- Have you ever wondered what the rest of the day looked like?
-- Picture this … Jesus woke up that morning knowing today He would …
Point 2 – Cleanse God’s Most Holy Place of its Unrighteousness
Read Matthew 21:12-17
- PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION: This is the SAME DAY!
-- Many often mistake this as being at another time … Greek tells us otherwise
- When Jesus enters Jerusalem, He goes to where His Father would be (v12)
-- To where the indwelling of the presence of God is found (inner sanctuary)
-- RE: This is the same spot He was found when He went missing as a child
--- REF: Luke 2:49, “… Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
- It’s here He discovers the church has become a worldly symbol of retail
