From the Parade to Being Betrayed!
Thesis: Jesus went from being praised on Sunday to being betrayed by Friday.
Texts:
Luke 19:28-47
28After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30“Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
35They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”£
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
45Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’£ ; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’£”
47Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
Matthew 21:1-17
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to the Daughter of Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ “£
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The 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!”
10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’£ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’£”
14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
16“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“‘From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise’£ ?”
17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
John 12:12-19
12The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!£”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”£
“Blessed is the King of Israel!”
14Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
15 “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”£
16At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
17Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. 19So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
Mark 11
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
4They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!£”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”£
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest!”
Introduction: I always find studying this last week of Jesus’ life fascinating. Here he is on Palm Sunday entering Jerusalem as a hero. The people are shouting and praising him. They are all talking about all the great miracles this Jesus has done. They are recapping the healings, the deliverances, the raising of Lazarus from the dead. They are pumped and excited just like the fans at a football game. Their team is winning and they like what they see. So they cheer. But the team or star player starts doing things they don’t like and the crowd turns on the team and the hero. The praises go from cheers to boo’s. We have digressed from shouts of praise to screams of condemnation. We call these types of fans fickle not true supporters of the team.
This is what Jesus experienced in his last week of life on the earth. We are celebrating Passion Week - the last week of Jesus’ life and ministry. Here are the last weeks events and teachings of Jesus:
Saturday:
Mary anointed Jesus for Burial (Matthew 26:6-12, John 12:3)
Sunday:
Today is when Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem in triumph (Mark 11:1-11 Matthew 21:1-11 Luke 19:29-38).
Monday:
1.Jesus Curses the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14).
2. Jesus clears the temple – the second time (Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48).
3. Jesus predicts his death (John 12:20-36).
Tuesday:
1. Disciples see the withered fig tree (Mark 11:20-25).
2. Jesus questioned, “By what authority do you do this?” (Mark 11:27-33, Matthew 21:23-27, Luke 20:1-8).
3. Three parables are told- Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32), Tenants (Matthew 21:31-46; Mark 12:1-12), The Marriage feast (Matthew 22:1-14)
4. The seven woes (Matthew 23).
5. The story of the widows mite (Luke 21:1-4).
6. The Olivet Discourse, “The little Apocalypse” (Matthew 24, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36)
7. Tax of Caesar (Mark 12:13-17, Matthew 22:15-22, Luke 20:20-26).
8. Marriage at the resurrection “seven brothers wife” (Mark 12:18-27, Matthew 22:23-33).
9. Two most important commandments (Mark 12:28-34, Matthew 22:34-40).
10. Three more parables – Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13, Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), The sheep and the goats ( Matthew 25:31-46).
Wednesday: (Silent)
Thursday: “Maundy Thursday” means to command
1. Preparation for Passover meal (Matthew 26:18,19).
2. Passover meal (Luke 22:14-22; Mark 14:18-21).
3. Jesus washed his disciples feet (John 13:1-17).
4. Prophecies his betrayal (John 13:18-30)
5. Predicts Peter’s denial (John 13:31-38)
6. Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19-22)
7. Farewell discourse (John 14, 15)
8. Jesus prays for us (John 17:6-25)
9. Jesus prays in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:40-46).
10. Betrayal by Judas (Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50, Luke 22:47-53)
11. Trial (Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, John 18:12-24)
Friday: “Good Friday”
1. End of trial (Luke 23:18-25, Matthew 27:11-26)
2. The cross 3am – 3pm
3. Crucifixion (Matthew27:33-44, Mark 15:22-32, Luke 23:33-43) – Three hours of darkness 3pm-6pm, the earthquake.
4. The death of Jesus at 3pm (Matthew 27:45-56, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49).
Saturday: “Silent”
Sunday: Next weeks message!
T.S.- The last week of Jesus life went from being praised to being betrayed. Lets learn a few spiritual lessons about the ministry of Jesus in his last week and explore the seven scenes in this drama of Jesus last week.
I. Scene one - The great parade
a. They were praising and singing and glorifying Jesus as he entered into Jerusalem.
i. Why- the Bible tells us because of the miracles he had performed.
1. Most praised him for the supernatural stuff!
2. But for most of them it was not a praise from the heart. Jesus was not being praised for his message but for what he could do for the people.
ii. His disciples called him the king- this angered the Pharisees and they told Jesus to tell his followers to knock if off.
iii. Jesus replied, “If they don’t praise me then the rocks will cry out.”
1. This was the fulfillment of the prophetic Scripture in the Old Testament from Zech. 9:9 that their king would come riding into Jerusalem on a donkey gentle and mild.
b. The people shouted “Hosanna” which from the Hebrews means “save!”
i. They wanted to be saved and delivered but from the Romans. They wanted. They wanted Jesus to defeat them and drive them out of Israel. They had a plan their plan was deliverance from Rome. Jesus intent was deliverance from sin. They did not want Jesus plan but there plan.
ii. This is why they praised him one day and then their praise turned to betrayal another day.
1. Because they wanted delivered from Rome not from sin and themselves.
a. Not from selfish ways, and greed.
b. Not from the pursuit of pleasure and idolatry.
c. Not from lives of immorality.
2. Jesus did not align with their plan for salvation.
a. His plan focused on them dieing to self not the Romans dieing.
iii. Have you ever gotten mad at the Lord? Maybe, because he does not do things the way you want him too? So one day your praise turns to anger. Then the next day you even curse his name. You know use his name in vain?
T.S.- Jesus’ parade happened to fulfill the word of the Lord and Jesus lets them praise for this time but he knows for most of them it just a charade.
II. Scene two – The great charade
a. This is where scene two comes into action. The crowd really is not what they seem. Their playing a game really because this is not what they really desire – to die to self – no way- they are in it for the, “What’s in it for me!” syndrome.
i. Deliverance from Rome sounds great but sacrifice my life for Christ no way.
ii. This is why Jesus weeps for Jerusalem. Because he knows that their heart is not where it needs to be. He sees how they may be shouting now but in their hearts they will quickly doubt and turn away when things don’t go their way. Jesus saw and knew:
1. Spiritual blindness
2. There easily changed minds
3. They would reject the one who loved them the Messiah
4. They would receive punishment for rejecting him
5. Their city and temple would be destroyed because they could not recognize their own Savior.
6. They would suffer severe persecution and suffering for rejecting him.
7. This would all happen because they did not recognize their own Messiah.
iii. Many will walk away from him over the next week when he teaches on things that they will not like.
1. People always protest by leaving instead of earning. They reject the truth and desert him.
2. Jesus spent the next week focusing on hard subjects.
3. The next day he clears the temple the second time – many will got mad over this.
4. He tells the people he will die and they argue with him and say no you will be with us forever. They did not understand – He had to die to be with them forever (John 12:20-36).
5. Many believe that Judas betrayed Christ to force him to defeat the Roman Empire and the ones who sold out to Rome.
6. He tells the people they will reject him- he knows what their hearts are like- Their fickle their with him in victory but when things get tough they will abandon ship even if they say they won’t. Example Peter!
7. He tells them in one teaching this Passion week to pay their taxes to Caesar- This would cause a lot of the Jews to reject him and even hate him for his treason to the Roman empire.
8. He hits the Religious ones with the seven woes- more of the ones who praised him turn on him.
9. He tells them to love the Lord God with everything they got especially money so he uses the illustration of the widow’s mite. More of them give up the charade and walk.
10. He tells them to love their neighbors- yes even if they are Roman, even if they are Samaritans. Yes even if they are black, white, red, or yellow. More of them walk away in disgust at his teachings.
T.S.- Jesus saw through their charade and therefore he gives them grades. His teaching this week brings a reality check to the nation of Israel and where they are at spiritually.
III. Scene three- The Grade
a. Throughout this week the crowd and the nation of Israel is receiving its grade from the master teacher.
b. And you know what they don’t like that they are receiving a failing grade they protest with their feet and their acts of betrayal.
i. They become indignant and vindictive.
c. He tells them to die to selves to love the unlovable they scoff.
d. They are to see the heart of God and act as he acted but no they don’t want that type life. In essence they don’t want what God offers.
i. They want bless me club teachings. They want only miracles not sacrifice for the kingdom.
ii. They want homes and money. They want prestige and power not servant-hood.
iii. They want what they think they deserve. Not a teaching telling them to give away what they already have.
1. They where to watch the lamb give the ultimate sacrifice but no they did not like what they saw!
iv. They are disciplined for being greedy even in the temple.
1. For being dishonest and using the house of God to make a profit.
2. For using the house of God for a money market to pad their pockets with riches.
3. They do not want a house of prayer they want a house of money and power.
v. He tells them that they have failed because when the hungry and thirsty came to them for help they rejected them and in essence they rejected the Lord as they rejected the needy.
1. They become afraid and say, “we have to get rid of this guy or he is going to take away our money making schemes!”
T.S.- Jesus gave the nation of Israel it’s grade and the people became afraid.
IV. Scene four – They are afraid
a. Lynip states, “Our greatest enemies are not wild beasts or deadly germs but fears that paralyze thought, poison the mind, and destroy character. Our only protection against fear is faith.”
b. The Pharisees were afraid that Jesus’ popularity would bring down the wrath of the Romans on them.
i. They feared for their lives, and the lost of their power.
c. The people were afraid to die to themselves and give all to God.
i. They would rather keep life as it was and forget about this thing called sacrifice and dedication.
d. The Religious are afraid to give up their old religion and let it become something that God wants it to be.
i. They are afraid of change
ii. They are afraid to let go of dead traditions.
iii. They are afraid to follow one who went to the cross.
iv. They are afraid to believe in Jesus because that means their teachings and doctrine is wrong. If they believe in Jesus then they have to admit they were wrong.
e. King Herod betrays out of fear he fears he might lose his throne.
f. Pilate fears him for what Jesus could do to their empire.
g. Many like the rich man were afraid to give up their financial prosperity and material possessions.
i. They were afraid to help someone who was in need because what will others think.
ii. There were afraid that they have been deceived by their selfish ways so therefore its easier to reject the truth and walk away.
h. They are afraid to take a risk for Jesus for God.
i. They are afraid for their comfortable lifestyle being uprooted.
ii. They are afraid that he might send them somewhere else.
i. When he was arrested the disciples ran away in fear.
i. They feared for their lives and their families.
ii. They feared whippings and rebukes.
j. Peter denies Christ out of fear for his life.
i. Even though just before Peter said he would never leave the Lord he does anywhere.
ii. MacDonald said, “Fear is faithlessness.”
T.S.-It’s amazing how fear will drive people to betray the one who is there to rescue them.
V. Scene five- The betrayal
a. The video clip from the Movie “Jesus” – Scene in the Garden of Gethsemane where the Devil tells Jesus it’s not worth the sacrifice.
i. Jesus is afraid in this scene but he knows what the Father wants and he works through the fear and makes the right choice.
1. His response is one we should memorize, “Not my will be done but thine will be done.”
ii. Really the one who shows the most fear in this scene is the Devil.
1. He knows that of Jesus defeats the fear with faith in God he loses.
iii. I want to ask you some questions:
1. In the clip Satan tells Jesus that his sacrifice is in vain. They will never love each other. They will just do more evil in the name of Jesus.
a. Are you one of ones the Devil refers to who just does not want to love others?
b. Are you one of the ones who uses the name of Jesus in vain?
c. Or are you one of the ones where Jesus said some of them will love, will sacrifice, will follow after Him with their whole hearts?
d. Where are you at today?
b. Jesus taught the truth and the people became afraid and then they betrayed him. But it did not matter to Jesus he knew that good would come out of evil. He wrestled it through and chose the will of God over self-preservation.
i. Matthew 8:26 26He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
ii. Mark 5:36 36Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
iii. John 14:27 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
iv. Hebrews 13:6 6So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
1. “Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there.
c. The Religious leaders plot to kill Jesus –“The great act of betrayal”
i. Was motivated out of fear and spite but the ones who would lose where they themselves who conspired against the truth.
d. The disciple Judas betrayed him for money and I believe to try to force the hand of Jesus to defeat the Romans and the Pharisees.
e. The followers of Christ betrayed him out of fear for their lives.
f. The other disciples betray him by running away.
g. Peter betrays him by not understanding his ways and then by denying him.
h. In essence the nation of Israel betrayed Jesus.
i. They sold out to self and the lies of the enemy.
i. Let me ask you today are you a part of the conspiracy today to betray Jesus?
i. Does fear drive you to betray the one who died for you?
ii. Do you deny you’re a Christian to your fellow workers?
iii. Do you hide your Christianity at school?
iv. Do you say your Christian then live in immorality?
v. Do you sell Jesus out for money?
1. Do you take a job that makes you work every Sunday and therefore you never go to church to worship him?
2. Do you compromise your ethics and integrity in your job to make more money and as a result you sell him out?
3. Do you betray Jesus throw him to the side just so you can live to make money.
vi. Do you reject the call God placed on your life to become a pastor or missionary?
vii. Do you not use your gifts for Jesus’ Kingdom?
viii. Do you refuse to change to take a risk for Jesus?
ix. Do you hang on to dead men’s traditions and continue to reject the truth of Jesus?
T.S.- The drama goes from the heart of betrayal to the literal act of betrayal and then comes the raid on the one who is betrayed.
VI. Scene six – The raid by the afraid
a. They all sent a raid to put him in the grave.
i. The raid was put in motion by the ones who wanted to betray him. And ,yes, they did all for pay.
ii. The disciples, the crowd, the religious were all party to the raid. Yes, each one got paid for their act of betrayal.
1. Religious leaders - Got paid with getting back their prestige and power and the release of their fear that the Romans will not come and destroy the temple because of Jesus.
a. But just as Jesus predicted it happened in 70 AD.
b. The temple and Jerusalem were destroyed by the Romans.
2. Judas - Received his money and his death sentence as a result of the raid.
a. He did not force God’s hand- God always follows his plan not our plans.
3. The Disciples – Received from the raid a chance to runaway and hide to save their lives.
a. But even though they fell down they got back up and then they succeeded.
b. Listen to this song by Bob Carlisle’s it tells us how to live as Christians.
4. The Crowd got its chance to stay the way they were so they would not have to change their selfish ways.
iii. Let me ask you another question: Have you become a party to the raiding party?
1. Have you choose to betray the one who has died for you?
2. Are you crying crucify Him?
a. I bet you said, “No!” but have you denied him?
b. Have you used his name in vain?
c. Have refused to forgive your brothers and sisters in Christ?
d. Have you abandoned Christ for selfish pursuits?
e. Has your flesh been leading your life?
f. Have you said, “I’m a Christian” but you allow porno, drugs and other addictions to control your life. And here is the kicker you don’t think it’s a big deal.
g. Has your life been a living witness for Jesus Christ or a mockery of Jesus Christ?
T.S.- Yes, people got paid for the raid but it only lead to him going into the grave.
VII. Scene 7 – He is laid in the grave
a. Watch the edited video from “Jesus” on Christ’s crucifixion.
i. The closing scene is the grave with the stone in front of the tomb.
b. Here is my thought for you to ponder this week – keep an eye on the rock- in other words “Check the Rock!”
c. It’s time to get up- we all fall down but its time to get up!
Conclusion:
Yes, they laid Christ in the grave but he was raised from the grave. When we decide to rise with Christ then we truly understand why this week and especially next Sunday is such a special day in the Christian church.
Jesus was praised on Palm Sunday – but he still dealt with the charades – He did give does give out grades and if you want to pass to must follow him – If you do you will not be afraid nor will betray him – then you can be a part of the raid of the saved – But we celebrate that he was laid in the grave only to be raised and once again praised for all eternity. So let’s not delayed let us be raised with him.
Close in Prayer! Let’s all get up!
