Palm Sunday Visitation
April 1, 2012 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Luke 19.29-44
Introduction:
A Read complete text
B When ever a movie premiers or an award ceremony takes place the stars of hollywood will don their Bob Mache, Versacie, Goche, Christian Dior gowns/suits.
1 As they walk the red carpet the papperazzi take thousands of pictures all while the stars smile at the cameras and their throngs of adoring fans. Look at me!
a Compare their entrance to what we call the “triumphal entry” of Jesus.
aa Jesus healed leprosy in Matt. 8.4, and said, “See that you don’t tell anyone.”
bb Matt. 9.30, Jesus heals two blind men and sternly says, “See here, let no one know about this!”
cc Mark 1.24-25, a demon possessed man in Capernaum yelled, “I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” and Jesus told him, “Be quit, and come out of him.”
b Jesus many times chose not to draw attention to Himself (Actually, spent most of His ministry away from the pomp, circumstance, limelight that was in Jerusalem.
c This day all of that changes.
aa As was first century custom, people were placing palm branches down in the road to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem as Messiah & King.
bb Palms were typically a sign of the Feast of Tabernacles/Booths/ in anticipation of the coming the royal messiah . . . but this is Passover (a time of repentance/sacrifice/forgiveness.)
cc On this day, Jesus conjoins the feasts and doesn’t stop their worship or instructs them to be quiet.
d Before Jesus can get real close to the city, temple the multitude of disciples start worshiping Him.
aa 19.37, Before Jesus gets to where He’s going (Temple)/ Folks get to where they are going (Jerusalem) a worship service breaks out!
bb They don’t worship in the quiet of their heart but are demonstrative with their worship. Get Loud!!! (19.37)
cc Do not wait until you get to a House of Worship to worship the One True God!
dd Do not be afraid to clap, raise your hand, sing from your heart, jump/shout dance unto the Lord because He is worthy of our praise & worship.
2 The day had started out fairly normally around Bethphage & Bethany, about 2 miles east of Jerusalem.
a Jesus sent two disciples to get the colt that He would ride in on for the triumphal entry (19.30-31)
aa Jesus knew the colt was there (Showing His omniscience) when He sent His disciples to get it for Him.
bb 19.33-34, Literally the “lords” (kyrioi), but Jesus is the kyrios “LORD”; Jesus is the rightful owner! Sovereignty.
cc Jesus was in complete control of what He gave His disciples charge over!
b He told them where to go, what do and say, and provided the resources to accomplish the mission He had given them; The disciples did exactly what they were told to do and everything happened the way Jesus said it would!
c If you are listening to the Savior’s voice, following the Will of God and the leading of the Holy Spirt God will two things:
aa He will release you to minister & serve in His kingdom.
bb He will release to you the resources to do the ministry.
cc Some of you need to untie your colt. (Song, Word to Speak, Gift to exercise, etc.)
C The colt symbolized two important things: Royalty & Sacredness.
1 At the time of Jesus (and before) the donkey was a prized/valuable/nobel creature that helped people do their work, put food on the table, carry heavy loads or burdens . . . Beast of burden.
a The donkey was also ridden by wealthy/powerful people (1 Kings 1.33,38-39; Solomon rode a donkey to his inauguration to being anointed King of Israel.)
aa Kings would arrive to a city riding upon a mule/donkey to show their peaceful intentions; a stallion would represent a conquering king or intention for war!
bb Jesus wasn’t coming to overthrow the government, but to save people from their sin . . . but He was coming as a king (19.38), but not just a king.
b He was coming as the Messiah, Anointed One of God.
2 Dr. Luke tells us that the colt that Jesus came riding upon had never been ridden (19.30). . . why?
a Num. 19.2; Deut. 21.3 gives Mosaic instruction on what kind of animal was suitable/acceptable by the High Priest for temple sacrifice. (W/O spot, blemish, imperfections, and never worked/labored/been ridden/yoked)
b The colt showed His Highness, His intentions, and His Eligibility.
aa He did not come just as King, but also High Priest.
cc Not just High Priest, but also as Sacrificial Lamb.
D Not everybody grasped the entry.
1 Some rejoiced (v.37), some didn’t understand, some rejected it altogether (v.39).
a When the Pharisees told Jesus to tell the people to stop worshiping He said if He stopped them, the looks would cry out!
aa Jesus is Lord over all created things (colts, rocks, creation)
bb If the people didn’t recognize Him for who He was, the rocks will!
b Everywhere Jesus looked He saw reason to weep.
aa Look back: Saw how Israel had wasted their oppurtunity, ignored their visitation.
bb Look within the peoples hearts: Saw their spiritual ignorance & blindness, they should have seen who Jesus was (The prophets, John the Baptist had prepared the way.)
cc Look around: Religoius people accomplishing very little, Temple had became a den of thieves, rel. leaders out to kill Him, People were in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover but their hearts were filled with sin.
dd Look ahead: Judgement was coming to Jerusalem/nation of Israel (143 days, 600 K Jews slaughtered, Temple destroyed in 70 AD)
c The missed their “visitation”. (God had came near, revealed Himself, manifested His presence, beheld His glory . . . missed it!)
2 There will never be another time like that moment for Israel (1 Peter 2.12) because the next time He “visits” He’s not coming on a colt bringing peace.
a The next visitation will occur at the same place, Mt. of Olives, though.
aa Zech. 9.9, foretold the first triumphal entry & Zech. 14.4, foretells His next entry @ the Mount of Olives.
bb 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, " KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." -Rev 19:11-16 (NASB)
cc 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:9-11 (KJV)
b Worship is the only real adequate response when Jesus visits!
Jesus wept over the city at this point (v.41), the point of rejection.
aa Jesus could see that judgement would once again come to Israel (Assyrians, Babylonians).
bb He wept because Jesus doesn’t enjoy judgement (it pains Him.)
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
