A Crown Of Righteousness
(2 Tim. 4:6-8)
Intro:
A. It was different. Jesus had never publicly allowed what was happening. The hype, the gossip, the sneers and the praise were all mixed together. It was Sunday morning and Jesus was coming into Jerusalem, but not like he had ever come before. Jesus decided that today was the day. Just listen to Jesus (READ Matt. 21:2-5).
B. Jesus, as Lord, presses into service this donkey. It is a sign of his authority. The passage Jesus used was turned into a messianic text defining Jesus a meek and peaceful king. As he approaches Jerusalem the people begin to treat Jesus in this high manner (READ Matt. 21:8-11)
C. It was a triumphal entry, but not in the sense of some Roman conqueror, but the reception of Jerusalem seeing Jesus as the Messiah. I would guess the stir that it caused was great. In fact, it caused such an outrage among the religious leaders that they demanded Jesus bring this celebration to an end (READ Luke 19:39).
I. Crown of Thorns
A. Jesus entered the week like a king, but it would not be until the end of the week that he would receive a crown. How quickly things change. In the course of a few days we went from people jubilant of Jesus to a crowd calling out for him to be crucified. The problem is, how do you justify killing an innocent person? The answer is, you twist words and spread lies.
B. While today is often referred to as Palm Sunday, we know that before you hear the message next week, that in history, this week was anything but a celebration of a king.
C. Jesus spent the week by first honoring God and reminding everyone what the purpose of the temple was. It was not a place to buy and sell, it was a place of prayer and connection to God.
D. Jesus spent the week teaching the people very publicly. He would tackle questions about his authority and paying taxes to Caesar. He would use the week to help people think about their religious leaders and challenge the “religious life” of those very leaders.
E. Jesus spent this week teaching his disciples privately and helping them know that he would soon be leaving them, but God was going to fill them with the Holy Spirit and that really was what was best for them and mission God had for Jesus.
F. As the week went on, we find the religious leaders so angry they plot to find a way to kill Jesus and decided that they can manipulate the Roman official into their action. They take Jesus before Pilate and accuse Jesus of misleading the nation and calling himself Christ, which is a king. Now, they have a case to have Jesus killed at the hands of Rome. Yet, even in this, Pilate sees it’s not based upon a kingship on earth that seeks to overthrow Caesar. But the leaders would not let up until Pilate had to act. (READ John 19:1-5)
G. With the cries coming from the people Pilate decided Jesus would be crucified. The crime placed in writing on the cross above the head of Jesus read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
H. A crown of thorns. So much happened in less than week. Jesus entered on that Sunday being hailed by the people, and before the week would end people called for his death. Jesus, a king? How could it be like this?
I. While you know the rest of the story and we will remember it together next Sunday, I simply remind you that Jesus did not remain in that tomb, after his resurrection he would leave this earth returning back to God. His physical mission was completed. Sin and death destroyed, and now he would intercede on our behalf
II. Assurance of a Crown
A. I want to talk about another crown before we end. As Christians we believe in the living, resurrected Jesus who saved us and who continues to keep us clean by his blood.
B. We live a life that is based upon faith. Faith that the story I just told you was real, not simply a religious myth some people choose to live by. We live a life that looks forward, even in the face of chaos. We see more than virus that threatens so many, we see more than a nation that is rightfully concerned about its economics, we see more than question mark about the days ahead.
C. What we see is eternal life that extends beyond this life. It’s not that we look at this life with scorn, I love being alive. But I see more than just the beauty of the day outside or the relationships I have with family and friends. I see my home, my heavenly home. I see my Jesus who has given me a crown to wear, not one that people beat into my head and mock me, but a crown of righteousness, a crown of life.
D. Paul knew his life was coming to an end. He knew that Nero was a Caesar who once let him free now seemed ready to have him executed. Paul wasn’t looking forward to dying, but Paul did look forward to what Jesus offered to those who loved his appearing. (READ 2 Tim. 4:6-8)
E. I want you to sit with verse 8 this week. Some of us are more pensive this week and some even call this “Holy Week.” Whether you make one day more important than another or not, think about verse 8. “No only to me, but to all who have loved his appearing.”
F. I am assured of a crown. I can live in victory because the crown is ready for me. Paul didn’t mind giving his life as a drink offering. Paul knew he was perfect, but he fought the good fight and now he had finished the course. Paul did all that because he kept the faith. Now, he was ready to wear a crown of righteousness. Not his own righteousness, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ who wore a crown of thorns and did on a cross for my sin and conquered death giving me eternal life. Yes, there is a crown for me.
Conclusion:
A. To a church that faced terrible times, Jesus would say to them, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.
B. To a church that people wanted to shut down but Jesus opened a door that no one could shut, Jesus would say to them, “don’t let anyone seize your crown.”
C. Today, you and I are still running the race. Today you and I are keeping the faith. We are a living sacrifice and desire to be used by Jesus in whatever way he calls us. I am looking forward to that crown.
D. May you celebrate the Jesus the way they did 2000 years ago when he came riding into Jerusalem. May you continue to call to him as your Christ and King. Until we meet again, let the peace of God and the peace from God fill your lives.
Because of Jesus,
Jeffrey Dillinger, minister
