What would you do?
Luke 19:37-41
Note: In conjunction with John 12:12-17
Introduction
Today, we celebrate one of the most pivotal events in the city of Jerusalem. Today is Palm Sunday and is remembered as the day when Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem – only later this week be betrayed, mocked, shamed, beaten, and crucified … for your sin.
This morning, we will take a very close look at this entry into Jerusalem, and I want you to ask yourself – if you were there, “What would you say?” Today we will answer three questions and I pray that you will carefully consider your responses to these.
Pray
Point 1 – Would you have gone out to see Him? (Read Luke 19:37-38)
Crowds of people came to see Jesus. This crowd would be anyone who believed in Jesus and followed His teachings – anyone who called themselves a follower.
They came out to see him to just get a glimpse of the one that had been promised.
Ask yourself, “Would you have gone out to see Him?”
Let’s looks at how John remembers this event - Read John 12:12-13
Hosanna means “save us” …
The people cheered and glorified the One who had been promised, because in their hearts they knew they needed a savior – just like we do today.
With their mouths they glorified Him, and with their hearts they rejoiced for Him – but think on this: What would they say in just a few days time when Jesus was before them again? They would cry, “Crucify Him”.
Every time we come to altar we ask Him to forgive us, we ask Him to restore us and forgive us – we ask Him to create in us a pure heart (Psalm 51:10).
What have we said about Him today? Have we cried “Hosanna” or have we cried “Crucify Him”?
Each time we sin – each time we go against what He wants us to do, we declare “Crucify Him”. Jesus can never be physically put on the cross again – but each time we go against His teachings – each time we disobey – each time we say we will repent but do not – we act no differently than the ones who turned their backs on Him.
We must understand this – Jesus is seeking us out to meet Him when He comes into our lives.
If you are ever to seek more of God’s joy in your life – we must NOT continue to try to crucify Him over and over. If we are to ever become more spiritually mature in our walk with the Lord – we must anxiously go out to greet Him!
Ask yourself: Knowing who you are today – would you go out to meet Him?
Point 2 – Could You Remain Quiet? (Read Luke 19:39-41)
The Pharisees were telling Jesus that He needs to keep order – that He needs to quiet the crowds – but look at Jesus’ response to them.
He is trying to teach them something, but they are too ignorant to understand.
Jesus’ authority, glory, and power demand our worship and adoration. It is because of the sacrifice at Calvary and the position of honor that He holds in the Father’s eyes that we need to be willing to worship Him.
When Jesus makes an entrance in our lives, we ought to be cheering. Last week I talked about how we cheer for our favorite football teams – but here in God’s Word we see how we ought to be cheering about Jesus!
Look how the people cheer for His entry – would you cheer if He walked in here right now? Or, would you be ashamed and hide in the background?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want any rock or tree to cry out in my place – I want to glorify the One who died for my sins. I want to glorify the One who entered the city and wept because He knew what the people would do to Him – Jesus deserves our worship and in our lives we need to show it to Him.
The bible says that the whole crowd of disciples came out to cheer Him. Ask yourself, could you be one in the crowds that cheered Him? If you want revival in your life, then you would not worry about what someone else would think, and you would come to worship and cheer loudly for the Savior.
I want to give you an example of what mainstream television is doing to Jesus Christ. I am sure everyone knows who Oprah Winfrey is – she has an incredibly powerful audience who listen to her every word.
Beginning January 1, 2008, on her daily radio program will offer a year-long course on the New Age Christ , in a lesson a day and completely cover the 365 lessons from the Course in Miracles "Workbook." Those who finish the Course will have a wholly redefined spiritual mindset-a New Age worldview that include the beliefs that there is no sin, no evil, no devil. A Course in Miracles teaches its students to rethink everything they believe about God and life, and, bluntly states: "This is a course in mind training" and is dedicated to "thought reversal."
One day Schucman heard an "inner voice" stating, "This is a course in miracles. Please take notes." For seven years she diligently took spiritual dictation from this voice that described himself as "Jesus."
Here are some quotes from the "Jesus" voice of “A Course in Miracles”:
"There is no sin . . ."
A "slain Christ has no meaning."
"The journey to the cross should be the last "useless journey."
"Do not make the pathetic error of "clinging to the old rugged cross.""
"The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol... It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray."
"The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."
"The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation."
Read 2 Tim 3:1-5
Do you hear the crowd not crying “Crucify Him” all over again?
This is false teaching, and consider the audience being reached -- if ever the church needed to stand up and declare "Hosanna", it is today.
In our lives, we need to worship the Savior. We need to lift Him up so that the world can see Him for who He is – and so they will know why we celebrate. Do not be deceived! Jesus said “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (Jn 12:32)
Conclusion
Invite Singers
This morning, God wants us to see ourselves in this. See yourself as one who comes out to meet Him and rejoice. See yourself as someone who is proud of who Jesus is and you are welcoming Him into your life.
This week, is a very holy week in the life of a Christian.
As Jesus approached the city, I wonder if he thought of the cross that was just a few days away. I wonder if He thought of how the crowd – or how – we would deny Him when He came into our lives.
With every head bowed and every eye closed …
As Jesus approached our church today, how was He greeted? Were you happy to come into the house of the Lord? Were you excited to see Him?
Put yourself into the same place as the crowd of disciples who greeted His arrival into Jerusalem – be willing to go out and greet the Lord – He is waiting to see you.
Do you need to come and meet Him? I would love to introduce Him to you
Do you need to kneel before Him and worship at the cross?
Pray
