Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 18:12 (ESV)
P: Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
C: but humility comes before honor.
Have you heard that word haughty?
What does haughty mean to you?
When I first heard its definition
it made me think of the word naughty.
But a better synonym would be proud.
In the Bible,
“haughty” signifies a proud, arrogant, and disdainful attitude,
exalting oneself
often characterized by a sense of superiority and contempt for others,
ultimately placing oneself above God.
How many of you enjoy being around people that are constantly proud?
Maybe it brings out good competition in sports,
and there are some people who are more naturally competitive than others.
But I think most people
would like to take a break from the drama at times
and would rather enjoy each other’s company.
I find
to enjoy each other’s company
it takes more of a humble heart
--the desire to know how others are doing
as you get to know their story.
It’s not to walk around like you are better than everyone one else.
… But,
I suppose it depends what you are trying to accomplish at the time.
Do you see Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem
as a haughty move
or an act of humility?
Jesus goes into Jerusalem,
and he’s with his 12 disciples.
He’s with a whole caravan of people
entering into Jerusalem.
People are pouring into Jerusalem
from all over the place
from all different directions
not primarily to see Jesus
but for the sake of celebrating Passover.
Just outside of Jerusalem
near Bethphage and Bethany
Jesus prepares his entry into Jerusalem
by having two disciples go into a village
to get a colt
--a young donkey.
No one had ever ridden this donkey before.
As they go get the donkey
the person asks why they would need it.
They told them that Jesus needs it.
And the owner was ready and willing
to let Jesus use the colt.
And this donkey owner wasn’t the only one that was supportive of Jesus.
Just about the whole city was excited that Jesus was in the city.
As Jesus enters into the Jerusalem,
the people spread their cloaks on the road
preparing the way for Jesus.
They remember of all his humble miracle works.
Jesus never demanded anything in return
for all the he did.
Jesus didn’t just speak the truth to Israel.
He did such amazing work
the people couldn’t help but praise him.
They shouted,
Hosanna!
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
The people were blessed by Jesus.
And his humility brought him honor.
Jesus didn’t specifically mention what great work he did.
He never boasted in himself.
Rather,
many people loved how he just cared for his neighbor
as Jesus led the people to repent of their sins
so that the people could have a strong relationship with the Lord.
By the people looking to God for salvation
they were able to be at peace with the Lord.
It was through the Lord
that the people are able to have an eternal relationship with him.
Jesus was just being praised for the restoration Jesus had brought to Israel.
But the Pharisees thought Jesus was just stealing the show.
… Perhaps they were believing Jesus was not humble but haughty.
There was usually some sort of parade for the people to begin celebrating Passover.
And the Pharisees hand not planned for Jesus to be praised during the parade.
They wanted the glory to be put into what they had planned beforehand.
So they told Jesus,
“Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
But Jesus answered,
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Jesus has already told the Pharisees what they ought to do
be on the right side with God.
Even John the Baptist, the man before Jesus, led the Pharisees with the same message
--that they were a group of people
that needed to repent from their ways
and turn to the Lord.
For three plus years,
they rejected this teaching
even though all the others saw what amazing things Jesus had done.
But even this praise for Jesus wouldn’t last long.
Yes,
even though nature continues to give God the glory
people find a way
to lose their focus off of him
and go back to praising something else besides God.
Many times people go back to praising themselves.
In our Gospel lesson,
Jesus weeps at the fact that the people would turn on the Lord.
Because of their selfishness and rejection
their God-given shining city of Jerusalem
would be destroyed.
… And about forty years later,
it was destroyed.
But that wasn’t the only destruction Jesus knew he was walking into.
Jesus himself
was going into the city
that had people
who were seeking to destroy him.
The Pharisees
who were the true haughty group at the time
continued to be relentless
in finding a way
to trap Jesus in his words.
They sought to call him a heretic
and have him killed
so that they could live in their desired kingdom
rather than the kingdom God had planned for them.
And on one Friday morning
they received their wish.
From their haughty heart
these Pharisees demanded that Pilot crucify Jesus.
And with such a great demand
stirring up others around them
people were caught up in the drama
… and they had their wish.
Pilot sentenced Jesus to be crucified.
Those that desire to have nothing to do with Jesus
will be separated from God forever.
And they will not rest in peace.
But those who have faith in Jesus
and have the humble heart
to follow is ways
knowing that though it may not make sense at times
God’s ways
will always lead
to what is good.
… Like Jesus going to the cross.
The disciples of Jesus didn’t understand why Jesus had to go to the cross.
And they left him as he was being tortured on his way there.
They couldn’t see how this act of humility
could bring any hope.
They thought their pride
would bring them victory.
But Jesus said he had to do this
he had to do go to the cross
because the penalty of sin
for all people.
had to be paid for.
No person could live and die the perfect life.
The people could only be saved
through Jesus’ perfect life
and his death on the cross.
But Jesus not only conquered sin
he also
conquered death.
He conquered death when he rose from the grave.
And he came to show us
that anyone who believe in him
shall not parish
but have eternal life.
And as we wait to get to heaven
as we wait for Jesus to come for us
and bring us into his eternal kingdom.
God’ asks us to have the mind of Christ.
To have our hearts and minds on the will of God.
Living with others
desiring those around us to also be a part of God’s kingdom.
Serving others
in humility and selflessness.
In compassion and empathy
with forgiveness and mercy
where by humbling ourselves
we are saved not by our own work
but by God’s work
--the Gospel of Jesus Christ
God’s greatest work
is not though war and destruction
but through peace.
Where peace is brought to the people we meet
and the places we go
… by people coming together
building each other up
with celebrating
what God
has done for us.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
May the peace of God,
that surpasses all understanding
keep our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
