HOSANNA/CRUCIFY HIM
MATTHEW 21: 1-11/ 27: 20-26
PALM SUNDAY MARCH 24, 2002
INTRODUCTION: WATCH THE LAMB BY RAY BOLTZ
Walking on the road to Jerusalem
The time had come to sacrifice again
My two small sons they walked beside me down the road
The reason that they came was to watch the lamb
They said, Daddy, daddy what will we see there
There’s so much that we don’t understand
So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham
And then I said dear children watch the lamb
There will be so many in Jerusalem today
We must be sure this little lamb doesn’t run away
And I told them of Moses and Father Abraham
And then I said dear children watch the lamb
When we reached the city I knew something must be wrong
There were no joyful worshippers there were no joyful worship songs
And I stood there with my children in the midst of angry men
Then I heard the crowd cry out,
Let’s crucify Him
We tried to leave the city but we could not get away
Forced to play in this drama a part I did not want to play
Why upon this day were men condemned to die
Why were we standing right here where soon they would pass by
I look and I said even now they come
The first one cried for mercy, the people gave him none
The second one was violent and he was arrogant and loud
I still can hear his angry voice screaming at the crowd
Then someone said there’s Jesus and I scarce believed my eyes
A man so badly beaten He barely looked alive
Blood poured from His body from the thorns on His brow
Running down the cross and falling to the ground
I watched Him as He struggled and I watched Him when He fell
The cross came down upon His back, the crowd began to yell
In that moment I felt such agony in that moment I felt such loss
Until a Roman soldier grabbed my arm and screamed "you carry His cross"
At first I tried to resist him but his hand reached for his sword
And so I knelt and I took the cross from the Lord
I put it on my shoulder we started down the street
The blood that He’d been shedding was running down my cheek
They led us to Golgotha they drove nails deep in His feet and hands
On the cross I heard Him pray "Father forgive them"
Never have I seen such love in any other eyes
"Into They hands I commit My spirit" He prayed and then He died
I stood for what seemed like years lost all sense of time
Then I felt these little hands holding on to mine
My children stood there weeping and I heard the oldest say
Father please forgive us the lamb ran away
Daddy, daddy what have we seen here
There’s so much that we don’t understand
So I took them in my arms we turned and faced the cross
And I said dear children Watch the Lamb
TRANSITION THOUGHT: We stand in tension today. This Sunday on the church calendar has a dual focus: the triumphal entry in to Jerusalem by Jesus and also the Passion of our Lord as he hangs, bleeds and dies on the cross. Every year I have chosen to take the route of the Cross. For to go from the “Hosanna to the Son of David” of His triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to “He is Risen” on Easter Morn seems to miss the reality of our Salvation. And yet maybe there is something to learn as we celebrate when Jesus comes to town. The strange thing is when Jesus comes to Town people go crazy. Now there are two kinds of crazy: one is a joyful, celebrative crazy and the other a hysterical frenzy crazy. One is positive and one is negative. Let’s spend a few minutes and Look at what it is like when Jesus comes to Town!
THESIS SENTENCE: When Jesus comes to town, we will respond!
I WHEN JESUS COMES TO TOWN THE RESPONSE IS OBEDIENCE vv 1-7
A. Predicted obedience vv. 1-5
1. Jesus, knowing He is coming to town, sends two disciples ahead to prepare the way. There were things He needed, the Bible told Him so.
2. Maybe the two thought, how on earth will this work out, but Jesus said, “HE WILL SEND THEM RIGHT AWAY.”
3. Did Jesus have a clear sense of what was going on? You better believe he did. He knew the Journey ahead; He had read the story.
4. Did you notice a sense of confidence?
B. Willful obedience vv. 6-7
1. “The disciples went.” Do you realize what a powerful note this is? How many times have we been called on to go, and we simple just don’t go. Do you remember the Story of Jonah? He was called to go, but he just didn’t go, much less do what he was told to do when he went.
2. “The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.” Oh if this could be said of us today. We did as Jesus had instructed us to do. What is it you have read in the word or heard preached or taught about our Lord Jesus that you have been called to do that you are not doing.
WHEN JESUS COMES TO TOWN, THE RESPONSE IS OBEDIENCE!
II. WHEN JESUS COMES TO TOWN THE RESPONSE IS EXULTATION VV. 8-9
A. Exultation is making a fuss.
1. Now the disciples started it. They placed their cloaks of the back of the donkey.
2. The crowd continued it. And it was a very large crowd.
3. One commentator stated that if the crowd would have been this large is would have caused a military uprising. Did I miss something, or will we read later that Jesus was arrest by an Army?
4. The crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
5. I wonder how many Moms or those in charge of the laundry got excited about this?
6. Do you see the devotion! Do you feel the honor placed upon this man? Do you feel the reverence?
B. Exultation is making some noise.
1. The Crowd went behind and before.
2. And those that Followed Shouted!
3. Have you ever shouted for Jesus? Maybe it was in the midst of great pain. Maybe it was during some great crisis. Maybe it was in complete anger.
4. Have you ever shouted for Jesus, just to praise His Name!?!
5. The crowd Shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
6. “Hosanna” is an exclamation of praise that means “Save!”/ “Save Now!”/ “Salvation!”
7. HOW APPROPRIATE: When Jesus comes to town people shout “Save!” WHEN JESUS COMES TO TOWN THE RESPONSE IS EXULTATION!
III. WHEN JESUS COMES TO TOWN THE RESPONSE IS A QUESTION VV. 10-11
A. When Jesus comes to town people asked questions
1. When Jesus comes to town things get stirred up and people want to know what is going on. An interesting footnote on the word “Stirred,” it is the same word used to describe an earthquake. Does Jesus know how to make an entrance or what?
2. I don’t really think they wanted to know what was going on, but WHO WAS GOING ON.
3. I believe tonight is the night of the Academy awards. Kim has laughed at me for years because I love award shows. I watch them if I can. I want to know who is hot and who is not. I want to know who is in and who is out. It is so amazing to see the media frenzy.
4. Things haven’t change in 2000 years.
5. People still have inquiring minds.
6. The 1 million dollar question, “WHO IS THIS?”
B. When Jesus comes to town people want to talk about Him
1. Notice who answered the question and who asked the question. The whole city asked and the whole crowd answered. Do you see something here! GROUP PARTICIPATION!! ARE YOU PARTICIPATING?
2. The Final Answer: “This is Jesus.” Is this enough? Is it enough for you? What are the questions you are asking? What is it that has you all stirred up? For once in you life, LISTEN TO THE CROWD!
3. “The Prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Jesus defined by the crowd, but did they know? Could they see? Did they really understand? What is your answer? What is your response to the Question, “WHO IS THIS?”
4. Peter was asked by Jesus, “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
WHEN JESUS COMES TO TOWN THE RESPONSE IS A QUESTION
IV. WHEN JESUS COMES TO TOWN THE RESPONSE IS MURDER MATTHEW 27: 20 – 26
A. The officials wanted Jesus dead
1. “The Chief Priest and the Elders persuaded…”
2. Who might be persuading you?
3. Who might have been persuading them?
B. The People wanted Jesus dead
1. Isn’t it interesting how quickly the tables can turn?
2. Where was the “amen corner” now? Where were the shouts of “Hosanna”?
C. Pilot washed his hands of Him
1. Pilot did not want to deal with this case! SMART MAN!
2. THE PEOPLE WANTED JESUS BOOD TO BE ON THEMN AND THEIR CHILDREN! THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE ASKING FOR!!
WHEN JESUS COMES TO TOWN THE RESPONSE IS MURDER
CONCLUSION: How will you respond when Jesus comes to town? He is here NOW! Will it be Obedience, Exultation, Questions, or Murder?
