Palm Sunday
“Hosanna” Mathew 21:1-17
Introduction:
Palm Sunday reminds us of the triumphal entry of Jesus into the Jerusalem Temple. When you read through you will be touched and used for Jesus. Jesus’ entry is victorious but going to lead to arrest, torture, and mockery end of the week. Jesus was ready to sacrifice. He was sure about his victory and the future of the Kingdom of God. He reached Jerusalem. He wanted to enter the City of David as Messiah and the King of Kings. Though many could not understand the glory, the spiritual insight. But he was very clear about where he was heading towards. Now let us see the beautiful entry of Christ the King. The passage Mathew 21:1-17 teaches three things:
1. Unused talents, 2. Misused resources, 3. Reused blessings.
Jesus enters into your life to use your unused talents, he enters into you to modify your thoughts, and change your plans to use the resources in the rightful and acceptable way. Jesus enters into your life to reuse the unused, abandoned blessings of God.
1. Unused talents of People (Matthew 21:1-7)
Lord Jesus Christ asked two of his disciples to untie the donkey and the colt and bring it to Jesus for him to use for the triumphal entry. Many times, we tie our talents and never use them. The donkey and the colt were tied by people, owners. But Jesus would like to untie them and use them for his kingdom.
We are the donkey and the colt. We are tied by social media such as Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, and many gadgets. We are tied by relatives, friends, husband or wife. We are not used for the Glory of the Lord. One way or the other we are permanently tied by our jobs, our business, or our studies. All along with life we are bound and tied. Our talents are buried and unused. Predominantly we are tied by worries, fears, and threats of tomorrow.
God has given many talents to all. None are talent-less or useless. God has blessed and endowed all with various talents and blessings. What is our position today? God might have given you singing talents, communication skills to communicate the gospel, teaching capacities, counseling, and praying for others. Use your talents. Never keep them unused. Use your talents among your friends, relatives, and neighbors. Use it for the glory of God and for the extension of the Kingdom of God.
When the donkey and the colt came to Jesus firstly, they were decorated, secondly, they were welcomed with carpets and floral decorations. Everywhere praises of the one who was sat upon them. What a wonderful experience for the donkey which was unused. Fabulous!!
Yes, if you commit yourself and do the work of the Lord you will be exalted and used for the glory of the Lord. The unused donkey became the talk of the town because the rider of the donkey was so powerful. Donkey does not entitle to honor, or respect but because of the rider, it got all the honor of the day.
2. Misused resources of God (21:8-12)
The second problem with the Christians is misusing their God-given resources. How often the available resources of personal, public, and Church are misused for the benefit of the few. The mission resources, church resources, and personal resources are either not cared for or misused for the benefit of some. The Temple at Jerusalem was used as a place of Business. They wanted to make money a few influential persons, Levities, priests, elders, and administrators wanted to enjoy the blessings of God.
The worshipers and the leaders were concerned about their pockets, their needs, and their income rather than the problems of the community, neglected were neglected, and thrown out were outcasts permanently. God looked at the situation. Some wanted to use the resources of the Church, resources of God for their personal and family gain.
The problems of the Church and the mission organizations of our days are caught in the name and fame of the people. Becoming Popular and a center of attraction has become the order of the day. Church has many name boards except the name of the Lord. We have “presidents, secretaries and treasurers and many joints and vices” but where are those who live for God and who do the glorious things for the Lord.
Repent and reuse the for the glory of the Lord.
3. Reuse the blessings of God (21:13-17)
Today we are called on this Palm Sunday to reuse the available resources for the purpose it was created and established.
1. Jesus says in Matthew 21:13 that ‘it is written” ‘my house will be called a house of prayer.’ The temple must be used always as a house of Prayer. Pray for the nations, kings, and people groups. Pray for the saved and the unsaved. Pray for the needy and rich. Pray for the sick and the Lost. Pray for the not reached and outreaches. Pray for the missions and visions of God.
2. Jesus healed them that those who came to him in the temple. Temple is a place of healing. Place of soothing. People must be healed physically, mentally, psychologically and emotionally, etc., the Church has forgotten the healing oil. The ways of the teachings of the Bible. God is the Healer (Matthew 8:3, 20:34, Mark 1:31, 5:29, 7:35, John 4:53). He heals all the sicknesses. Once again, the Church and missions must take up this great work (Acts 3:6-10, 4:16, 4:21).
3. Jesus used the place as the place of Praises. Many children, young and old started to praise Him. Temple is basically a place to shout and sing God’s wonders. Where many churches are heading towards. No real love for the Lord. Worship became a program. Everything time-bound. Spirit is controlled, and the soul is depressed.
Conclusion:
Dear all, what a wonderful day for us to remember the entry of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem. Allow Jesus to enter into your life. Allow him to use your unused talents. Allow him to use your resources and redeem them from misuse. Allow Jesus to reuse your places, blessings, talents, and everything for him. May the Lord bless you, Amen.
