THE FINAL WEEK
TEXT: Luke 19:28 – 48
Introduction: Jesus has come to the end of His earthly ministry. The prophecies had been fulfilled minus those that He would fulfill in this final week, and Jesus had set His face to this time knowing the pain, the heartache and the great thing that He was to accomplish. Willingly Jesus, the Christ bore the coming darkness without hesitation.
Illus. God's Voluntary Cloak
A Flemish sculptor was extremely poor. He frequently went without food and worked in a clammy studio. It was bitter cold the night he finished his masterpiece. The thoughtful and meticulous artist was concerned lest the firm, fresh clay of his creation should freeze and crack. He had too much of himself in the design to run the risk of its being ruined, so he wrapped it in his warmest coat.
The sculptor died from exposure during the night. His cherished statuette was found unharmed. The warmth of sacrifice had saved it. In some such thoughtful way, beyond our ability to conceive or comprehend, the cross is God's voluntary cloak of sacrifice draped in mercy over His creation. 1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching.
I. Christ Rides into Jerusalem.
A. We are given three accounts of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem by the gospel writers.
1. The first by Mark in Mark 11:11 is of Jesus’ entry on Saturday, the Sabbath, He enters, looks around, there are no money changers so He leaves and goes to Bethany. This entry is as Priest.
2. The second, as told by Matthew in Matt. 21:12 – 13 happens on Sunday, the first day of the week. The money changers are present so He cleanses the Temple. Here He is seen as King.
3. The third is on Monday, (2nd day of the week) where Jesus is seen weeping over the Jerusalem and teaching and healing in the Temple. (Seen as prophet) Luke 19:41 – 44, 47, 48.
B. Rides in on a young colt.
1. Perhaps prior arrangements had been made for the colt, perhaps not, God said do it and so it was O.K.
a. Lord here is the Greek word Koo-ree-os which means “supreme in authority,” “controller.” (STRONGS)
2. The LORD hath need of him.
Zechariah 9:9 (KJV) 9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
a. Our LORD fulfilled all prophecy concerning Him.
b. He knew all that He was supposed to do.
c. He knew His Word…He breathed it.
3. The colt that had never been ridden willingly obliged the LORD.
a. The disciples obeyed, but then so did the colt.
Note: The disciples are never named. They served without recognition, so should we.
C. Jesus is praised as king and messiah.
1. The disciples put their clothes on the colt to make it a comfortable ride for their king.
2. They line the path with their clothes and tree branches.
3. In other words Jesus is given a dignitaries welcome.
4. Multitudes go before Him crying “Hosanna to the Son of David.”
a. Hosanna is an exclamation of adoration meaning “Oh Save!”
b. Burt alas it was also hypocritical, as some of this crowd were the very same ones that would in a few days, just as emphatically cry out “crucify Him!”
c. Unfortunately people today sing His praises on Sunday and curse Him on Monday.
D. Not everyone praised Him when He entered Jerusalem.
1. Scripture here says “the city was moved.” And no they didn’t take it anywhere. Matt. 21:10
2. Notice that some of the Pharisees said “Master, rebuke thy disciples.”
3. Master here means “teacher.” (Strong’s)
4. Rebuke means admonish or forbid. (Strong’s)
5. In the language of today that is “don’t let them say that!”
E. Jesus tells them that He will be praised.
1. Sometimes we are too afraid, or too embarrassed to praise Him, but His creation will sing His praises.
2 Timothy 2:12 (KJV) 12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Mark 8:34 (KJV) 34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
2. The point is, those that love God will praise Him.
II. JESUS WEPT OVER JERUSALEM
A. Jesus saw the city and wept.
1. Wept means to cry out, not a whimper or blubber.
2. Remember this is the city where He dwelt between the Cherubims.
a. He wept not because of the city …it could have been any city.
b. He wept because they had missed their visitation.
c. He wept because of their sinful state.
d. The God that loved the world so much that He sent His son to suffer and die for their sin and to make a way for them to come back to Him, wept because He knew their state.
B. Jesus clearly prophecies about coming events at Jerusalem.
1. The city would be surrounded and held captive.
2. He foretells the burning to the ground of the Temple.
3. He foretells the ruination of the Jewish nation.
4. All because they missed their visitation by the Messiah.
5. People today are still missing their visitation, their calling.
6. Jesus still visits…the Holy Spirit still draws.
III. Jesus preached and some listened.
A. Some heard and believed.
1. Some refused, some flat out rejected.
2. Some, (the priests, scribes and Pharisees) refused to hear and were jealous of Him.
a. They couldn’t do much though because many were attracted to Him.
b. They looked for a way to rid themselves of Him.
c. People are looking for a way to rid themselves of Him today, but here his time was only “at hand.”
B. He would soon ascend to the Garden to be alone with the Father.
1. He would soon be betrayed by one He had chosen.
2. He would soon be denied by one that said he never would.
Conc. This world is the same kind of place Jesus left. People are still deniers, betrayers and refusers. If God is calling you today, this then is your chance to come to Him.
