Palm Sunday - 2018
Luke 19:28-44
Introduction
- The Easter story is not just about Easter morning, but a culmination of events
-- Each event marches us closer to the promise, that death of a Savior; Christ
- As we look to the Savior for a glorious HOPE of resurrection; we have trials
-- It is in these trials and life issues that we can gain strength from Him
- CONSIDER: It is a warm, sunny day in Jerusalem. The crowds are swelling due to the upcoming Passover Celebration; and you and your family are visiting this holy city for your annual pilgrimage and to ask God’s blessings on your family for the coming year. When suddenly, word spreads that the Messiah is coming and without hesitation you rush to just try to get a glimpse of Him.
- Read Luke 19:28-44 / Pray
Point 1 – The disciples prepare the way (28-34)
- The first thing Jesus did was ask the disciples to go and bring him a colt to ride
- Why? Was He tired? Was he weary? Did he want to make to be a spectacle?
- Actually, He was fulfilling scripture written about him years earlier by Zechariah
-- Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
- The Disciples untie the colt in obedience (IMP) … without even asking
- The only question asked is “What are you doing?” Imagine being the owner …
-- B/C what they are doing is committing grand theft; punishable by death
-- But, after their answer that the Lord needs it, that’s it – all is well
- Was the owner a follower of Jesus? Did he know who the Lord was?
-- We may never know – but there is a lesson here:
-- When it is for the Lord, He provides the way
- For you and me today … this is an extremely important idea to grab hold of
- When God is directing, we are simply to follow His leading and obey
-- It is not a matter of debating it, or anything else, just following Him
-- This is where you and I have to be sure we are in sync with the Holy Spirit
- But notice, once they bring Him the colt, he begins to ride it, and they praise
Point 2 – The disciples praise the Lord
- Shouting … “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord”
-- Their praises ring high and true, but why? Why shout and rejoice like this?
- ANSWER: Because they MUST!
- However, want us to see the response by the Pharisees to this...
-- “Teacher (rabbi), rebuke your disciples”
- APP: They felt that their praise was a) unworthy, and b) unnecessary
-- Consider: Who are the Pharisees to determine how they should praise?
-- It’s because they know religion … but they do now know the Lord!
- His answer is perfect, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out”
-- IMP: Creation knows its creator … and they are always in awe of Him
-- This rebuke is to remind them, again, of Who He is (and they miss it)
- As He approached the city to fulfill what God had ordained … see this
-- The Holy Spirit caused these men/women to praise and rejoice
- TRANS: But, there is another reaction to this day … Jesus’s
Point 3 – Jesus reacts to the scene
- Jesus however, sees this scene slightly different
-- Having rebuked the Pharisees, His thoughts turn to the future
-- TJ: Really believe He is looking past the cross; even, past His death
- He weeps – he sees the world for what it is, and it break his heart
-- Re: Jesus was there when it was created; knew His purpose; still feels sorrow
- His declaration is simple: They don’t understand how much God loves them
-- (Re-read verse 42)
- Imagine Jesus looking forward to what awaited Him
-- Weeping over the city that He knew would soon shed His blood
-- Knowing that part of His Father’s creation would deny God fully …
- Can we not imagine the grief this must’ve caused Jesus?
- However, isn’t this exactly what God must experience today?
-- Calls us to repent, shows us the way that we must go, but still we deny?
-- The compassion of God is amazing – even in the face of impending death
- The Son of God did not weep vain and causeless tears
-- Nor did He weep for a casual reason (such as His own death)
-- For Jesus, He knows where He is going – knows what His purpose is
- It’s so much more than that …
1. He knows the value of souls
2. He knows the weight of sin
3. He knows how it will press and drown mankind
- Can you picture this scene for just a moment in your mind?
- Imagine the glory, the splendor, the majesty of the King of Kings riding in
-- Yet, Jesus weeps for His father’s creation … incredible compassion
- TRANS: This Palm Sunday, we have one question to answer:
Big Idea: “What is your response to Jesus when He comes?”
- We have a choice to either praise and celebrate – or condemn and rebuke
-- When we lift our voices to praise, we are submitting to Him
-- Contrast: In v39, we can see clearly the frustration of the Pharisees
- Well, how is your frustration level this morning?
-- Do you hear the Gospel preached and want to rage against it?
- Or, does experiencing the Lord bring you to praise Him?
- It really comes down to a critical decision that we each have to make
- Will you repent of your sins and welcome in Christ …
- Or will you be like a Pharisee plotting to remove God from your life?
- Every eye closed/ every head bowed
- Here is your invitation:
• Do we live each day rejoicing because of what Jesus has done …
• Or, do we spend our time focused on who we are because we like our way?
- Said earlier: When it is for the Lord, He provides the way
- God has provided the way (I am the way, John 14:6) …
-- Because He wants us to be with Him (none should perish, 2 Pet 3:9)
-- His desire is that we would worship Him and spend eternity with Him
- Through Jesus, truly, God has provided the way to escape our sin
- I tell you this because I love you, you must repent and accept Jesus Christ today
- Simple as Accept, Believe, Confess
- Pray
-- Salvation, Repentance, Mercy .
