The Road to Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1-11
03/20/02
Subject: Christ entry into Jerusalem.
Compliment: Christ crucifixion was the Atonement for us.
Opening:
Today as we look at ¡§The Road to Jerusalem¡¨ our attention will be drawn to two things, first it was a road that had to be traveled and second, it was a road that would change mankind for all eternity.
Many men and women have lived triumphed and victorious lives. Their accomplishments have been recorded in history books for everyone to read.
There have been volumes written on the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. They describe his accomplishments, his military genius, the campaigns that he fought, and the battles he had won.
But when it came to his death, the last edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica read this way ¡§He died on the morning of May 5th in his fifty-second year. His body was dressed in his favorite uniform and covered with a cloak he wore at Marengo. He was buried in a lovely spot near a spring, shaded by two weeping willows. ¡¥Here lies¡¦ was written on his stone, no name.¡¦ In other words, the death of Napoleon was about the least important episode of his life, Whereas the crucifixion was the celebrated event in the life of Christ.
The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ was the complete payment for the sins of the world. No other sacrifice was sufficient and no other sacrifice was required. And according to the scriptures he laid down his life that all might live.
Gal 2:20
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
But in order to save the world from their sins, in order to save you and me from our sins, he must first walk down ¡§The Road to Jerusalem¡¨
Introduction:
And as we will see in Matt 21:1-11 there was four very specific characteristics of Jesus¡¦ triumphal entry into Jerusalem:
ć The road to Jerusalem would be a road of humility.
ć The road to Jerusalem would be a road of fulfillment.
ć The road to Jerusalem would be a road of Obedience.
ć The road to Jerusalem would be a road of Destiny.
1. The Passover was being celebrated, a celebration that had been taking place for over 1400 years. It was a celebration of thankfulness to God for bringing them out of Egyptian captivity.
2. With more than 2 million people in the town of Jerusalem at this time of the year it was a hopping place.
A. Imagine one of the busiest places you have been. (Christmas at the Malls)
3. Even though it was a time of celebration; a time to thank God, the Israelites have found themselves under oppression from the Roman government and once again awaiting God to send them a deliverer, another Moses or David.
4. As Jesus enters into the city the people begin to cry ¡§Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest¡¨
A. They have heard of the great wisdom of Jesus
B. Many have seen the miracles
C. And some had been there when He had feed the five thousand with only a few fishes and loves of bread.
D. So their shout of ¡§Hosanna¡¨ was a shout of ¡§Save us¡¨
5. But there was a problem Jesus did not come to save them from their political oppression; he came to rescue them from their sins.
6. There is quit a difference in what the people saw this day and what the Lord was doing.
A. The people saw Jesus entering in splendor to take the throne.
B. Jesus entered in with a humble spirit to accept his fate.
C. The people could smell victory in the air.
D. Jesus tasted suffering and death.
E. The people thought He was the man of the hour.
F. Jesus knew His hour to die had come.
Read (Matt 21:1-11)
1. The road to Jerusalem would be a road of humility and not of royalty.
A. Jesus was the rightful heir to royalty he could have entered in as a King. (Rev 19:16) calls Him the Kings of Kings
Phil 2:9-11
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
B. But instead of marching in on a stallion Jesus sent his disciples to retrieve a donkey. (Illustration: Colorado)
(Horse: sign of war Donkey: sign of Peace)
C. He willingly accepted this position.
Read (Matt 21:1-3)
1. Jesus sent his disciples (vs.1)
2. He told them were to find it. (vs.2)
3. He told them what to say (vs.3)
4. Jesus had a plan. He has a plan for your life.
D. His plan was eternal and not just for one day.
1. Christ knew the depravity of man and knew there was no other way.
2. To follow Jesus into His salvation requires humility.
a. We need to put our selfish desires aside and seek the Lord.
b. Jesus must have been heartbroken to see his disciples fussing just hours before the Lords death over who would be the greatest in the kingdom.
Read (Luke 22:24)
c. You must walk down the road of humility and give your life to Him.
2. The road to Jerusalem would be a road of fulfillment.
Read (Matt 21.4-5)
A. All this was done in order to fulfill Gods divine plan. Jesus did not enter into the city by chance, but by divine appointment.
Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
B. Jesus¡¦ coming fulfilled the O.T prophecies regarding this final week
1. Betrayed by a friend Ps. 41:9
2. Sold For 30 pieces of silver Zech 11:12
3. False witnesses accusing Him Ps 27:12
4. Silent when accused Is. 53:7
5. Struck and spit on Is. 50:6
6. Suffered in our place Is. 53:4-5
7. Hands and feet pierced Ps. 22:16
8. Mocked and insulted Ps. 22:16-18
9. Prayed for His enemies Ps. 109:4
10. His side was pierced Zech 12:10
11. Soldiers cast lots for His clothes Ps. 22:18
12. Not a bone broken Ps. 34:20
13. Buried with the rich Is. 53:9
C. Why would Jesus walk the road of fulfillment? To fulfill the divine plan of salvation for you and me!
D. The road of fulfillment was a road of love. Love for you and me because Jesus knew He needed to fulfill the Fathers plan in order for us to have the opportunity of eternal life.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
E. There was no mistake Jesus¡¦ coming fulfilled history in every aspect.
3. The road to Jerusalem would be a road of Obedience.
A. In order for Jesus to be obedient he had to get on that donkey.
Read (Matt 21:6-7)
B. Jesus¡¦ entire life was an example of obedience even at the end.
1. John 4:34 He came to do the work of God and finish it.
2. John 5:30 He came not to do His own will
3. John 8:29 Everything He did was to please the Father
4. His will was to do what God wanted Him to do. Just before His death he went to the garden and there he prayed.
Read (Matt 26:39)
C. And yet Jesus knew that all of humanity and salvation was dependent upon His going down the road of Jerusalem to a place called Calvary.
4. The road to Jerusalem would be a road of Destiny
Read (Matt 21:8-11)
A. The crowd that cried ¡§Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest¡¨ would be the very same crowd that will cry ¡§Crucify, crucify, crucify Him.¡¨
B. The very same people that spread palm branches signifying salvation has come, would be the very ones to nail Him to the cross.
Crucifixion:
If you were to look at Rembrandt’s painting of The Three Crosses, your attention would be drawn first to the center cross on which Jesus died. Then as you would look at the crowd gathered around the foot of that cross, you’d be impressed by the various facial expressions and actions of the people involved in the awful crime of crucifying the Son of God. Finally, your eyes would drift to the edge of the painting and catch sight of another figure, almost hidden in the shadows. Art critics say this is a representation of Rembrandt himself, for he recognized that by his sins he helped nail Jesus to the cross.
C. Not even Pilate the governor could alter what was to take place.
John 19:10-11
10 then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Matt 27:24
4 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
D. There was a purpose for His destiny.
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
E. Jesus is the Lamb that came to take away sin of the world. Wont you let him take away your sin.
In Conclusion:
A. ¡§The Road to Jerusalem¡¨ was a road of humility, a road of fulfillment, a road of obedience, A road of destiny, but also a road of choice
B. You could try to go down the road yourself but you would never make it and for that reason Christ went down it for us.
C. If you have never accepted Christ as your personal Savior you have a choice to make today. Just as the two thieves of Luke 23 had to.
Luke 23:32-33
32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
D. They had a choice
1. Two different thieves
2. Two different responses
3. Two different destinations.
E. Christian, don¡¦t forget what he has done for you.
God wants to take away your sins that¡¦s way he sent His Son to die for you.
Rom 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 6:23
3 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 10:9-10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:13
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
