Palm Sunday As It Is Known – Message Outline Series

PALM SUNDAY AS IT IS KNOWN – MESSAGE OUTLINE

[A] JESUS UPHELD

1. Read Matthew 21 v 1-11

2. Place in context. John 12:9 The great multitude therefore of the Jews learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. The Jews were in curious mode, generally uncommitted but caught in emotion and curiosity.

3. A Crowd Response. John 12:12-13 On the next day the great multitude who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet Him, and began to cry out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” The other gospels do not mention palms but they say “(cutting) branches from the trees.” Cf this verse, Nehehiah 8:15 “So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches, and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” I think it was a lot more than palm fronds.

4. The description of the event. They put their clothes on the animals and on the road. They spread branches in the way. Some were in front and some behind. The crowd all took the lead and called, Matthew 21:9 And the multitudes going before Him, and those who followed after were crying out, saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” We have acclaim without acceptance; calling without commitment; and progression without possession. Most of the crowd was like this. They know of Him as the prophet (Matt 21 v 10).

5. One beautiful thought. Matthew 21:15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant”. Children’s voices express the devotion that was feigned by the crowd. Become as children in faith and dependence.

6. In summary this is what we have:-

[a] Jesus was seated on a colt (elevated), the centre of attention. (Matt 21 v 7).

[b] He was in the midst of a praising crowd (v 9).

[c] They acknowledged His Person (Son of David) (v 9).

[d] Of those praising, some went before, and some followed. (v 9).

[e] Praise accompanied Him along the street into Jerusalem and into the temple (by the children, at least) (v 9/10/15).

[f] Accepted by His own (Jews) in pretence for a few days (4 to be precise) (v 9/11).

[g] With Jesus in the midst, the crowd threw palm branches and garments at His feet. (v 8).

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[B] JESUS DEBASED

Let’s pass on 4 days.

1. Jesus or Barabbas Matthew 27:17 When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” Jesus stands in judgment before the one who had all authority to release Him. Rather than decide according to right or wrong, Pilate tried to slide around justice in allowing the people to have a choice believing they would choose to release Jesus because he would have picked up that Jesus had some sort of popularity.

2. But the fickle people running on emotion and popular appeal had no conviction. Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death. Therefore we see these very ones who hero worshipped Jesus some days before, not calling for His cruel death.

3. The Pavement (Gabbatha) is where Jesus was displayed to the people. The elevated place of denial and rejection. Will ever stand in Pilate’s infamy.

4. In rejection Jesus was abused by the same crowd that got caught up in the emotion of Palm Sunday. Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death. Through the streets of the same city, Jesus was dethroned in rejection John 19:17 They took Jesus therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.

5. In summary this is what we have:-

[a] Jesus stood by Pilate’s side (elevated), the centre of attention. (Matt 27 v 19/20).

[b] He was in the midst of a cursing crowd (v 20/22/23).

[c] They would not acknowledge His Person (as King of the Jews: 27 v 29. Mark 15 v 9) (as Messiah: Matt 27 v 17).