Palm Sunday Series

Point of View – one person sees tragedy, another sees opportunity. Both see the same event! Palm Sunday - It was a time of Cheers and Tears.

Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem was planned out for a long time. Not just the months of travel – but the events of Passion Week were planned out before the world was created. Jesus is the “Lamb who was slain at the foundation of the world.”

There were hints placed throughout scripture. Prophets spoke of this week – possibly unknowingly – but with great detail. And the prophecies will be fulfilled in amazing detail. A Savior is coming to town. But what does that mean for those people on hand to witness the event? What does it mean to you? Cheers and Tears – for whom?

Mark 11:1-11 Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

1 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!”

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Hosanna – Praise yes, but also, “Save Us!” What could those words mean? Save us from whom? Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! The kingdom of our father David! These words are explosive and have a dangerous, volatile meaning. Explore the point of view from different characters in the story – SAVE US!

1. Jerusalem – Priests and Religious leaders - Rome – Pilate wash his hands

Rome not so bad – Pax Romana – goal was peace and prosperity

They were far better than the Greeks before them, or the Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians. But for the religious leaders, SAVE US meant save us from Jesus! There had been trouble, rumors, the priests were uneasy, better for one man to die than a nation perish. And all this comes about at Passover; we’ll have a riot on our hands.

2. The disciples – Zealots & Fishermen, Judas and Peter

Saved – to be promoted from the bottom to the top! Jesus had shown all the classic signs of being the Messiah they hoped for. Heal the sick; restore sight to the blind, make the lame walk and the deaf hear. He raised the dead!

Charlie Peacock “If you only knew how bad people want to get a look at you

The multitudes are waiting, waiting on pins and needles. For the one more famous than the Beatles”

3. The crowd – Cloaks & Branches – Rebel flag

For 6 centuries people have been aching for a Savior, like the Maccabees - someone who would deliver them from Greece. Now deliver us from Rome – Zealots (Simon) were willing to raise the sword.

Jesus came into town lowly riding on a colt or donkey. When people saw him they cheered because they believed he was there to save them and stake God’s kingdom on earth. What we think we need to be saved from isn’t always what God intends us to be saved from.

Zachariah 9:9. 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.

4. The colt and its owner – known to Jesus? – or honored to donate

Jesus was not telling his disciples to go Hotwire a donkey for him. Why a donkey that has never been ridden? Ancient tradition forbids anyone but the King to ride his donkey or colt. The donkey has a red carpet created by the close of the people. Imagine how that donkey must have felt, “I must be someone special!”