Hosanna Sunday

HOSANNA SUNDAY

LUKE 19:28-40

Sunam 3/24/02

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ’Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ’The Lord needs it.’" 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 They replied, "The Lord needs it."

35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out!”

Intro: Recognition often comes late in life after one has expended his strength, and knowledge. The retiree may be given a gift in recognition but is often too old to enjoy it fully. Even among our ministerial fellowship there are special times during District Council when those who have served in the ministry for 50 years are given special recognition.

Palm Sunday is about giving proper recognition to the Lord! It is the day when the people who were present gave recognition for the lifestyle achievements of Jesus!

Note: I am concerned that the church has become a little too casual about giving Jesus the recognition He deserves. Often our praises are empty, our songs an exercise in common practice and our hearts relatively distant from the very Lord who deserves full attention, full praise and the full glory!

There are some thoughts I would like us to discover about the triumphal entry of Jesus into His city…..

I. HIS AUTHORITY IS DISPLAYED:

A. Sends His disciples on an errand to get a colt of a donkey He is planning to ride upon. This colt is untrained and has not yet been ridden by anyone. This was in fulfillment of Scripture.

1. The disciples were instructed as to where to go, which colt to get and what to answer when they are questioned as to why they seem to be stealing the colt. Donkeys were valuable and were often co-owned by several families since they were poor and unable to afford their own.

a. It was ancient law which required a citizen to render to any King any item or service he or one of his emissaries might require.

 While we consistently see Jesus as serving, His request her is simply to fulfill Scripture.

2. He seeks permission – This has always been His pattern – No one is ever forced to receive Jesus, no one is ever forced to love Him, no is coerced into obeying Him!

a. But when we do yield our selves, our possessions, THOUGH THEY BE SMALL – God takes the uncommon, the seemingly small item and uses it for His great Glory!

 Rahab’s scarlet rope, Paul’s bucket, David’s sling, and Samson’s jawbone. Moses staff that split the seas and smote the rock bringing forth water. The perfume Mary poured onto Jesus feet and spread with her hair. The wood of the manger!

 Think of the risk takers – Rahab who sheltered the spy, The brethren who smuggled Paul out of town!

 Think of the innocent bystander who would in a week be standing on the side of the road as Jesus (crouched under the weight of the cross) who is asked to carry the cross for Jesus.

It seems to be the little things that God uses most! In fact it is when the little things become too large in our minds and hearts that they bind us and keep us from being generous and responsive to His request!

Think of the 19th century Sunday School teacher who led a Boston shoe clerk to the Lord. You’ve never heard the teacher’s name – Kimball – The name of the converted shoe clerk was Dwight L. Moddy, who became an evangelist and had a major influence on Fredrick B. Meyer who began to preach on college campuses and while doing so converted J. Wilbur Chapman who became involved with the YMCA and arranged for a former baseball player named Billy Sunday to come to Charlotte NC for a revival. A group of Charlotte community leaders were so enthused about the results of the revival they planned another and invited Modecai Hamm to town to preach. In that revival, Billy Graham yielded his life to Jesus Christ!