What an amazing day it was when the Jewish Passover began that year. The year Jesus voluntarily rode a donkey into Jerusalem at the beginning of the week.
The great celebration of Passover every year marked the commemoration of the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery from the Egyptians during the days of Moses.
But that year was quite different. That Palm Sunday saw the swelling of a large crowd entering Jerusalem. That was normal. But what was not normal was that the crowd gathered on the Mount of Olives.
Jesus was in the midst of the crowd. He was exalted and lifted up. He was riding on the back of a donkey above the crowd so all could see His entry.
The people began to cut palm branches off the trees and began waving them in the air and took their cloaks and threw them on the road making a type of carpet for the entry of the King of Kings. It became a royal road for the entrance of the Son of God.
The people began to worship Him. They sang: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel.”
On that Palm Sunday there were several volunteers that assisted Jesus in fulfilling His role and mission of going to the cross for you and me.
Each of the volunteers tell us something about the greatest volunteer; Jesus Christ.
Transition: Who are the volunteers on Palm Sunday and what do they teach us about Jesus and following Him?
I. The Donkey
vs. 1-4- “When they approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, God into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.”
Explanation:
At the center of this dramatic scene stood an unlikely candidate to platform, lift up, and exalt Jesus. It was a simply donkey.
The donkey is a simple animal. Mic Jagger calls him “a beast of burden.” People often use that animal as a derogatory term for people they consider stubborn, unlearned, or downright mean.
Yet, God chose the donkey to elevate Jesus. It the center of this magnificent drama was a lowly donkey exalting Jesus for all the world to see.
Matthew 21 tells us how the donkey got this amazing opportunity. In verse 1 we see that ahead of this event, Jesus sent two of his disciples into the village of Bethphage.
Then in verse 2 we read what Jesus said to them. He said: “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her, untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, “The Lord has need of them and immediately he will send them. This took lace to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet; SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, BEHOLD YOUR KIND IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVAN ON A COLT. THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.’
If you will notice, the entry on a donkey had a purpose. It was planned prior to the event by God Himself. God not only had the donkey’s stationed in the precise place and at the right time it was needed. But He even had Zechariah see it and prophecy of it 500 years prior to the event.
This morning, I want you to consider this donkey and the role that he played, to communicate the decision that Jesus made at the beginning of the Passover week that became the Passion week to us as believers; where we are reminded of the decision Jesus made that Sunday morning to go to the cross for you and me.
What was Jesus saying about His decision to die through his mode of transportation into Jerusalem as he got on the road that he would travel that week whose ultimate destination was a cross.
Jesus used the donkey he was declaring several things:
a) What we all can do for Him
The donkey is a simple farm animal. Yet, a tradition is told about this donkey. The tradition tells us that this donkey was owned by a simple farmer from Bethphage who owned the donkey and it was small to work so it was simply tied to a tree to get it out of the way.
Yet, when the disciples arrived what the farmer found to be useless actually was a valuable and needed by Jesus.
Today, it is interesting that all donkeys have a cross on their back. Whether they are dark or light colored, if you look closely they all have a cross on their back which is a visual reminder that God “marked” them from the beginning to remind us of this donkey who would carry Jesus into Jerusalem to take Him into the city where He would fulfill His purpose of redeeming mankind.
The donkey is a symbol and a reminder that God value of things is higher than our value of things. Consider what Jesus says about this donkey. In verse 3 we read: “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, “The Lord has need of them....”
Can you imagine the King of the Universe saying He needs anything? Yet, our of God’s grace He has subjected Himself to “needing” things.
When we read, “The Lord needs them” we are reminded about what God has done for us; He has made us needful. The donkey might have seemed useless to a farmer, but it was useful to the Lord.
A lot of people live with no sense of value. They don’t feel they have much worth or value. They have a negative self-image. Yet, this donkey that day when he came in contact with Jesus took on new value. He was a carrier of Christ. He even bore the burden of Christ. God chose Him to elevate Christ at one of the most important moments in human history.
Listen: Don’t under value yourself in life; God had a specific purpose for you.
b) What Jesus Can Do For Us
One interesting thing about donkeys in Israel is that Kings regularly rode donkey.
1. In Zechariah 9:9 we learn that Kings rode donkeys in their coronation.
2. In Judges 5: 9-10 we learn that Israel’s Princes rode white donkeys.
3. In Judges 10: 3-4 we learn that one of Israel’s Judges named Jair who led Israel 22
year had 30 sons and they all rode 30 different donkeys.
4. In Judges 12: 1-14 we read that another judge of Israel named Abdon had 40 sins and
30 grandsons and they worked 70 donkeys guardians that rode 70 donkeys.
5. II Samuel 18:9 tells us that David, King of Israel had a son named Absalom and he
rode a donkey.
6. In I Kings 1:33, 38, and 44 King David insisted that Solomon ride a donkey through the
Streets of Jerusalem to prove he was to be the next King.
By riding a donkey Jesus was declaring by tradition that He is the King. Yet, He was also reminding them of the type of King he was to be.
When the Roman governmental officials entered a city, they came in grandeur. They came with chariots, horses, and a military display of power and strength.
Yet, Jesus came in on a humble donkey. He came into Jerusalem to sit on a donkey; not a throne.
He came to hang on a cross; not sit on a throne.
Yet, Revelation 19: 11-16 tells us how He will come when He comes again. He will return to that same mountain; the Mt of Olives and this will be one glorious display.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16
From this donkey we are reminded of what our King did and what He will do for us. He rode the donkey in humility to come into Jerusalem to die for you; so that someday we will reign with Him in the New Jerusalem as He reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Do you know what Jesus can do for you? He can be your King. He expand your purpose beyond today, tomorrow, and the rest of your life. If you receive Him today, He will become your ruler... the Lord of your life, and the King of your existence.
Illustration: July 4, 1776 King George III
On July 4th, 1776, King George III of England entered in his diary, "Nothing of significance happened today."
Sitting upon the throne in his cloistered castle, King George III could not possibly have known the events as they were unfolding thousands of miles across the sea. He didn't have the capacity of understanding that a revolution was impending and oceans away something big was brewing.
Application:
I often wonder what is happening in heaven. I wonder if the white horse is being mounted and the armies of heaven are gathering and the moment of Jesus return is near.
Perhaps that young donkey causes us to think about who we are as followers of Jesus. That donkey was made ready. It might appear that it was just simply standing around wasting away another day; yet little did it know that it had been born, tied down, and prepared for the coming of Jesus.
Today, something is brewing just as it was on that Palm Sunday. That same King that went to take a cross is preparing to take His crown.
With that said, we should be like that donkey, always be ready and active in elevating our King, and preparing for His return where we will reign gloriously with Him. That’s our living hope and that’s our eternal future!
Transition: Who are the volunteers on Palm Sunday and what do they teach us about Jesus and following Him?
II. The Crowd
vs. 8-9- “8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 Now the crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord;]Hosanna in the highest!”
Explanation:
As the crowd gathered on the Mt. of Olives and the Palm Sunday road, they did three things that provide a living picture of who Jesus is and how we should honor Him.
Here’s what we see:
a) They spread out their robes on the road- They made a royal highway for Jesus through
casting their robes on the road. This was an ancient way of signaling the importance
of anindividual.
In the stories of the ancient Kings we learn in II Kings 9:13 that when Israel learned that
Jehu was the next King, they removed their robes and placed them underneath him out of respect and reverence to their King.
b) They waved Palm branches- This was an ancient sign of victory. About 150 years
before this event a blood thirsty king named Antichious conquered Jerusalem and
began a reign o terror. He openly defied God, stole artifacts from the temple,
converted the altar into an altar to Zeus, and killed anyone who worshipped God. In
fear, many of the Jews bowed fear to Antichious.
Yet, one group called the Maccabees, led by a young man named Judas (The Hammer) untimely retook Jerusalem and the temple. He reestablished worship of God and saved the Jews from annihilation. They even celebrated Antichious death for 8 days and in celebration of victory, they went around “carrying Palm branches” and singing grateful praises. (2 Maccabees 10:7)
Sound familiar?
c) They shouted “hosanna”- The word “hosanna” was a popular refrain in 1st century culture. It was a statement and song from Psalm 118: 25-26. It was a song and a prayer. It was a request and reminder of where salvation comes from.
These people were using Jewish signs and shouts to signal a hope that Jesus, like Judas “the hammer” would come into Jerusalem like a superhero. They wanted a King like David who killed their Goliath.
They wanted a champion, a warrior-King that would kill the Romans; not be killed by them. They had expectations and by the time they got to Friday, the people shouting “Hosanna” would join those shouting “Crucify Him.”
Do you know why? They had self-absorbed expectations of Jesus. They wanted a Jesus that would serve their desires; one that would fulfill their will; not a Jesus that they would trust to fulfill His will in their life.
Application:
When Jesus taught the disciples to pray he said: “Pray like this... thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven....”
Probably this is the hardest part of the Lord’s prayer to pray. You see, if we are honest, we want our Kingdom to come and our will to be done.” We want God to do things our way, on our timing, and for our benefit.
Yet, what if Jesus would have done that on Palm Sunday. What if he would have chosen to take the crown without the cross? What if the crucifixion would have never taken place? What if the resurrection did not happen?
The truth is, salvation would not be available and heavens hope would not be possible.
If Jesus would have followed the crowd, their will would have been done; not God’s.
Yet, the Bible says: “It pleased the Lord to crush Him with pain, by (this) making his life as a reparation offering...” Isaiah 53:10
Is there anything in your life that you don’t understand? Something you are harboring anger at God over? A prayer that you feel was not answered the way you wanted? A struggle that God seemed to ignore? Something about God that you refuse to trust Him with?
Remember: Jesus is King. He is Lord. He doesn’t follow crowds; He leads them. Today, you can trust Him with what you don’t understand and depend on Him because He is the King and Lord of your life; as well as, this Universe.
Transition: Who are the volunteers on Palm Sunday and what do they teach us about Jesus and following Him?
III. The Kids
Vs. 15- “But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, Hosanna to the Son of David, they became indignant. And they said to Him, Do you hear what the children are saying? And Jesus said to them, Yes...”
Explanation:
What is strange is was that the Palm Sunday road actually led Jesus to a place where it would cull-de sac. That cul-de-sac was at the temple; which Jesus called, the house of God.
It was there that people were supposed to draw near to God. It was there that people were supposed to find hope, forgiveness, and a place to meet with God.
Yet, instead of meeting with God, they were met with a gate and a place where people sold doves. It was a place where money was changed, a place of business; not God’s business.
In response, Jesus cleansed the temple.
This is the climax moment of Jesus greatest emotional exchange. Some might even consider it to be an outburst.
Yet, it was more than an emotional reaction; it was a door opening action. Notice what happens. In verse 14 we read: “And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
These people were often hindered from the temple. They were cast out or blockaded. They were considered “unclean.” They were stuck in corners and kept in the outer courts. Yet, Jesus cleansed the temple and opened the door to them allowing the outcasts to come, experiencing, connect, and drawing close to God and He made them clean.
Yet, when the temple was cleansed, a wide open highway to made for these people to come to God in the flesh. His cleansing opened the door to the people that truly needed connection to Jesus kingdom and experiencing the gospel.
The lame and the blind who were not normally allowed to come close in the temple were touched and healed by God in the temple.
Likewise, the children were drawing near and proudly proclaiming “Hosanna” Jesus is salvation!
Sadly, the religious leaders were disturb and complaining about the noise in the worship center and asked Jesus: “Do you hear them?” Jesus responded, “Yes.”
Have you ever heard anyone say: “Children should be seen and not heard?” Not with Jesus! He loves the praise of Preschoolers! He loves the celebration of children!”
Jesus not only said to the disciples: “Suffer not the little children to come unto me for such is the Kingdom of heaven” He tells the Chief Priests: “Yes I hear them but you haven’t heard me.” Then as the author of the scripture He quotes Psalm 8:2 saying: , “OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF?”
Illustration: Charles Haddon Spurgeon
A long time ago a 15 year old boy who woke one Sunday morning to a January snowstorm. Compelled to go to his church he took off walking but the heavy wind and snow stopped him in his tracks in front of a Primitive Methodist Chapel in the town where he lived.
As a young man he walked into the chapel and noticed that the Pastor did not show up that morning so an old shoemaker took the pulpit that morning and in his unlearned way, he got up and preached a simple sermon from Isaiah 45:22 that says: “Look unto Me, and be saved...”
That morning there were only a handful of people but God was speaking directly to that young man. As the preacher said: “Look unto me..” He said:
“look unto me” - I am sweating drops of blood.
“look unto me”- I am hanging on the cross
“look unto me”- I rise again
Then the preacher shouted, “Young man, look to Jesus Christ.”
That day, that 15 year old boy, Charles Haddon Spurgeon did just that and that boy became one of the greatest men of God and preachers in history all because He looked to Jesus that snowy morning.
Application:
That donkey elevated Jesus that morning to say: “Look to Jesus.”
The crowd elevated Jesus that morning to say: “Look to Jesus.”
The kids elevated Jesus that morning to say: “Look to Jesus.”
Today, on this Palm Sunday--- I conclude by simply saying: “Look to Jesus” the greatest volunteer of all time and come to Jesus, look to Him, and He will change your life.
