Hosanna! The Triumph and Humility of Christ
Introduction:
Today, as we gather on this special occasion of Palm Sunday, we embark on a journey to explore the profound significance of this pivotal event in Christian history.
Let us open our hearts and minds to the transformative truths revealed through the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Matthew 21:9 (NLT) "The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Hosanna in the highest heaven!'"
Point 1: The Triumph of Christ
Zechariah 9:9 (NLT) "Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt."
The prophecy of Zechariah foretells the triumphant entry of the Messiah into Jerusalem, fulfilling God's promise of deliverance and salvation for His people. Jesus, in His humility, rode on a donkey, symbolising peace and humility rather than a conquering king on a horse.
Billy Graham "Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem was not about earthly power but about the fulfilment of God's redemptive plan."
Psalm 24:7-10 (NLT) Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle. Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies — He is the King of glory.
Here, the psalmist paints a vivid picture of the King of glory approaching the gates of Jerusalem, calling for them to be opened wide to receive Him.
This imagery is rich with symbolism, representing the entrance of the Lord into His holy city, where He will establish His reign and manifest His power.
The "ancient gates" and "ancient doors" symbolise the barriers that separate humanity from God's presence.
These barriers could be understood as both physical gates and spiritual barriers such as sin and rebellion.
The call to open them signifies the invitation for God to enter into the midst of His people and reign supreme over their lives.
The repetition of the question, "Who is the King of glory?" underscores the magnitude of the moment and highlights the Lord's unrivalled power and authority. He is described as "strong and mighty" and "invincible in battle," emphasising His sovereignty over all creation and His ability to overcome any obstacle in His path.
The title "Lord of Heaven’s Armies" reinforces the image of God as a warrior-king leading His heavenly forces into battle. This title conveys the idea of God's supreme authority and His ability to triumph over all adversaries.
Overall, Psalm 24:7-10 celebrates the majesty and power of the Lord as He approaches His holy city.
It calls us to open the gates of our hearts and lives to Him, acknowledging His sovereignty and welcoming His presence with reverence and awe.
Point 2: The Humility of Christ
Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross."
The humility of Jesus is exemplified in His willingness to set aside His divine glory and take on the form of a servant, ultimately sacrificing Himself on the cross for the redemption of humanity.
His humility challenges us to embrace servanthood and selflessness in our lives.
Charles Stanley "True greatness is found in humble service, following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ."
In Matthew 20:28, we encounter a profound statement made by Jesus:
Matthew 20:28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Here, Jesus reveals the essence of His mission on Earth. He contrasts His purpose with what might have been expected of a powerful ruler or king. Instead of seeking to be served and exalted, Jesus came with a humble heart, ready to serve others selflessly.
As the "Son of Man," a title Jesus often used to refer to Himself, He identifies with humanity and demonstrates His solidarity with us. Despite His divine status, He chose to take on the form of a servant, setting aside His glory to minister to the needs of others.
The phrase "to give his life as a ransom for many" encapsulates the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission.
He came not only to serve but also to offer Himself as payment for the sins of humanity.
This act of atonement would provide redemption and reconciliation between God and mankind, restoring the broken relationship caused by sin.
Jesus' ultimate act of service was His willing sacrifice on the cross, where He laid down His life to redeem humanity from sin and death.
Through His death and resurrection, He made it possible for all who believe in Him to experience forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.
In this verse, Jesus teaches us the true meaning of greatness: not in the pursuit of power or recognition, but in humble service and self-sacrifice.
As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His example by serving others with love and compassion, following in His footsteps and sharing His message of hope and salvation with the world.
Point 3: The Response of the Crowds
Matthew 21:11 (NLT) "And the crowds replied, 'It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.'"
The crowds hailed Jesus as the prophet from Nazareth, acknowledging His authority and significance.
However, their understanding of His kingship was limited to earthly expectations, overlooking the spiritual nature of His kingdom.
John Piper "The true significance of Jesus's kingship transcends earthly kingdoms and power, offering eternal salvation to all who believe in Him."
John 12:13-15 A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”
This passage narrates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, often commemorated as Palm Sunday.
The people greeted Him with great excitement and reverence, spreading palm branches before Him and acclaiming Him as their king.
Spreading palm branches was symbolic, representing a gesture of honour and homage typically reserved for royalty or victorious military leaders.
By doing so, the people acknowledged Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah, the promised king who would deliver them from oppression and establish God's kingdom.
The cries of "Hosanna!" which means "Save us, we pray!" expressed the people's desperate longing for salvation and deliverance.
They recognized Jesus as the one who came in the name of the Lord, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.
The image of Jesus riding on a donkey's colt fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, which foretold the coming of Israel's king in humility and gentleness.
This was a stark contrast to the expectations of a conquering military leader riding on a horse, emphasising Jesus' role as a humble and peaceful king.
Through this passage, we see the significance of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
It marked the beginning of the culmination of His earthly ministry, leading to His ultimate sacrifice on the cross for the redemption of humanity.
As we reflect on this event, we are reminded of Jesus' identity as the long-awaited Messiah and King, who came to bring salvation, peace, and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
As I draw the sermon to a close, I want to encourage you to reflect on the events of Palm Sunday and challenge each of us to emulate the humility of Christ in our daily lives, serving others with love and compassion.
May we recognise Jesus as our triumphant King, surrendering our hearts to His sovereign rule.
Call to Action:
Today, let us recommit ourselves to following Jesus wholeheartedly, acknowledging Him as our King and Saviour.
May we live out His teachings with humility and love, proclaiming His gospel to all nations.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the profound truths revealed to us through the events of Palm Sunday.
Help us to walk in the humility and servanthood of Christ, and to proclaim His kingship to the world.
In Jesus's name, we pray. Amen.
