Here is a true story about a nine-year-old boy who lived in a rural town in Tennessee. His house was in a poor area of the community. A church had a bus ministry that came knocking on his door one Saturday afternoon. The kid came to answer the door and greeted the bus pastor. The bus pastor asked if his parents were home and the small boy told him that his parents take off every weekend and leave him at home to take care of his little brother. The bus pastor couldn’t believe what the kid said and asked him to repeat it. The youngster gave the same answer and the bus pastor asked to come in and talk with him. They went into the living room and sat down on an old couch with the foam and springs exposed. The bus pastor asked the kid, "Where do you go to church?" The young boy surprised the visitor by replying, "I’ve never been to church in my whole life." The bus pastor thought to himself about the fact that his church was less than three miles from the child’s house. "Are you sure you have never been to church?" He asked again. "I sure haven’t", came his answer. Then the bus pastor said, "Well, son, more important than going to church, have you ever heard the greatest love story ever told?" and then he proceeded to share the Gospel with this little nine year old boy. The young lad’s heart began to be tenderized and at the end of the bus pastor’s story the bus pastor asked if the boy wanted to receive this free gift from God. The youngster exclaimed, "You bet! The kid and the bus pastor got on their knees and the lad invited Jesus into his little heart and received the free gift of salvation. They both stood up and the bus pastor asked if he could pick the kid up for church the next morning. "Sure," the nine old replied. The bus pastor got to the house early the next morning and found the lights off. He let himself in and snaked his way through the house and found the little boy asleep in his bed. He woke up the little boy and his brother and helped get them dressed. They got on the bus and ate a donut for breakfast on their way to church. Keep in mind that this boy had never been to church before. The church was a real big one. The little kid just sat there, clueless of what was going on. A few minutes into the service these tall unhappy guys walked down to the front and picked up some wooden plates. One of the men prayed and the kid with utter fascination watched them walk up and down the aisles. He still didn’t know what was going on. All of a sudden like a bolt of lightning it hit the kid what was taking place. These people must be giving money to Jesus. He then reflected on the free gift of life that he had received just twenty-four hours earlier. He immediately searched his pockets, front and back, and couldn’t find a thing to give Jesus. By this time the offering plate was being passed down his aisle and with a broken heart he just grabbed the plate and held on to it. He finally let go and watched it pass on down the aisle. He turned around to see it passed down the aisle behind him. And then his eyes remained glued on the plate as it was passed back and forth, back and forth all the way to the rear of the sanctuary. Then he had an idea. This little nine-year-old boy, in front of God and everybody, got up out of his seat. He walked about eight rows back, grabbed the usher by the coat and asked to hold the plate one more time. Then he did the most astounding thing I have ever heard of. He took the plate, sat it on the carpeted church floor and stepped into the center of it. As he stood there, he lifted his little head up and said, "Jesus, I don’t have anything to give you today, but just me. I give you me!"
The triumphal entry
Jesus was preparing to give it all.
Prior to His triumphal entry Jesus had:
1) Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave.
2) Jesus was anointed for his burial by Mary.
Because of the miracle of raising Lazarus the people came out in droves to welcome the coming messiah:
Because of His fame the chief priests decided to: kill Lazarus along with Jesus
(jealousy and pride and lust for control will make to do some evil things)
John 12:12-15
12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Ps. 118:25,26Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Zech. 9:9Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
1..Once again prophesy has been fulfilled the king of glory has arrived.
2..The people are excited about the coming king with healing in his hand resurrection power. 3..Here comes their KING who embodies the power from GOD on high!!!
4..There is cheering and shouting and the cloaks are laid on the road.
5..The great procession of the KING OF KINGS has come…
6..The KING who makes food appear as manna from heaven.
7..The KING who feeds thousands with a prayer.
8..The KING who walks on water.
9..The KING who gives site to the blind, lame walk, lives restored…
THE KING THE KING THE KING HAS COME!!!!!!
But there is always someone to:
I. RAIN ON THE PARADE.
Look at these Pharisees (AKA Joy suckers) in vs:19
A "joy sucker" is someone who is determined to create either discouragement or hardship on your ministry.
"Joy suckers" take on all shapes and sizes, but, most often, they are negative in their outlook, disappointed with their family, in need of attention or enamored with their own power. Somewhere along the way, they have been allowed to get away with unacceptable behavior.
Because they are not happy people, they are determined that others should not be happy either. So, they are critical, fault-finding and contentious. Close your eyes for a minute, and you will see every "joy sucker" you have ever served. Painful, isn’t it?
Jesus predicts His Death in VS: 23 (Joy suckers gonna have they’re day)
Jesus glorifies the Father in VS: 28a For this reason He Came!!! Hallelujah glory to God.
Check this out Vs: 28b A voice from heaven “I have already brought it glory and will do it again”
The crowd heard this and I’m sure there were some “joy sucker in the crowd as well”.
Look in verse 37: Despite all the miraculous signs he had done, most of the people did not believe in him:
This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: they would be blind in vs. 38-40
Some didn’t believe because they loved the praise of man more than obeying GOD.
Do you wanna be praised by GOD this morning? Or praised by your fellow “joy sucker”.
Do you want to serve man or GOD?
Do you want to be praised by God or are you worried what other people think?
I hope you have made up your mind this morning: Vs 44
You want to trust GOD then you have to trust JESUS
Won’t you trust him?
