The PraiseFest in Jerusalem
Scripture References: Luke 19:35 – 40; Matthew 21:8 –11; Mark 11:8 - 10
Introduction
The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride.
He walked into town and found a group of people by the well. “I’ll show myself to them,” he thought.
But they didn’t notice him. They went on drawing their water and paid him no mind. “Throw your garments down,” he said crossly. “Don’t you know who I am?”
They just looked at him in amazement. Someone slapped him across the tail and ordered him to move.
“Miserable heathens!” he muttered to himself. “I’ll just go to the market where the good people are. They will remember me.”
But the same thing happened. No one paid any attention to the donkey as he strutted down the main street in front of the market place.
“The palm branches! Where are the palm branches!” he shouted. “Yesterday, you threw palm branches!”
Hurt and confused, the donkey returned home to his mother. “Foolish child,” she said gently. “Don’t you realize that without Him, you are just an ordinary donkey?”
Transition
We must not forget this morning that without Jesus we are just ordinary sinners without extraordinary hope. Without Jesus we stand to face the judgment and ultimately the wrath of God for sins.
Without Christ we are to face our own faults, shortcomings, errors, sins, misconceptions, and propensity to wickedness alone. We have no liberty in the flesh, no life in His grace, and no forgiveness of sins.
Without Christ we are just ordinary people, ordinary creation, who don’t experience the extraordinary hand of a living God. Without Christ we are without joy, peace, wisdom, self-control, patience, and the strength to live the life it was meant to be. Thank God for Christ.
There are times in the Scriptures that demand that you pause. And then your pausing makes you think. And your thinking will cause you to start thanking God.
We thank him for the power of His word. We thank Him for the provision of His word. And we thank Him for the practical application of His word.
This is Palm Sunday according to the traditional Christian calendar. So we are invited to look at what all the commotion is as recorded here in Luke 19 and replicated in Matthew 21 and Mark 11.
We have read of crowds and multitudes surrounding Jesus before. He was accustomed to the crowds; He had become easy with the multitudes. He regulalry embraced the crowds.
· Multitudes who marveled and glorified God seeing the works of Christ – Referencing Matthew 9:9
· Multitudes whom He had compassion on because they were a sheep having no shepherd. – Referencing Matthew 9:36
· Multitudes that followed Him frequently – Referencing Matthew 12:15
· Multitudes that came having those with them, who were lame, dumb, maimed, and many others and he healed them. – Referencing Matt.15: 30
In our text this morning we see the gathering of another multitude, there was what I have labeled a “praise fest” going on in Jerusalem, not with balloons, streamers, or banners, but palm branches, garments, and coats.
You have to agree with me that there is definitely something going on here that does not seem to make room for sadness or madness. You cannot tell just by the presence of noise what is going at this point and time in Jesus public ministry.
Noise can be an explanation that something is happening but not necessarily a true indication of what is happening. You may have made some noise here this morning in worship, which may explain your jubilant outburst but it may not be a true indication of what’s really happening in your life.
These people in Jerusalem are making noise, but it is only after the words are recorded that we get an understanding of what all the commotion is about. What were their words? What were they celebrating? What was the rejoicing all about?
They had not been liberated from Roman rule. Jerusalem had not been returned to its luster as in the days of King David. The Roman emperors had not been run out of town.
“37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”
How could they rejoice given the presence situation? How could they praise God in such a way and run the risk of inciting a riot or upsetting the Roman government who asserted that there is only one God and that’s Caesar?
That’s an easy answer…it’s Jesus. They had much love for Jesus. And Luke goes out of his way to help us to understand that it’s not just anybody rejoicing and giving praise, but they are called “disciples.”
Are you a disciple? I know you might be saved, but are you a disciple? I know your name is on the membership roster, but are you a disciple? I know you attend church regularly, but are you a disciple? I know you may know God stuff, but are you a disciple?
They were called disciples; the pupils, the students, the learners. They weren’t the ones who thought they knew it, but wanted to learn it.
They rejoiced – Chairo (khah’-ee-ro): They thrived in salutations, greetings, and joyfulness.
They praised – Aineo (ahee-neh’-o): They’re singing, honoring, shouting, to God.
They tried before to take and appoint Him as their king, but it wasn’t time yet. Now is the time for them to receive their king. They receive Him waving palm branches and shouts with voices of triumph…why?
I. They Praised Him for What He Had Said
…Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
What did the Samaritans say to the woman at well: John 4:42, “Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe because we have heard him ourselves, not just because of what you told us. He is indeed the Savior of the world."
His words brought life, hope, and promise. What he had spoke to them had not left them unchanged, but challenged. We declare Him king because of what He has done, declared, and delivered.
There was something about the way He talked. Mark 1:22 states, “They were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority – quite unlike the teachers of religious law.”
They heard His radical teaching about the law, anger, forgiveness, divorce, retaliation, prayer, fasting, money, worry and persistence.
He taught them in parables that baffled the mind, challenged the heart, but never tickled the ears. He never taught to be popular, but always taught to the populace.
Man, Jesus could teach. What has He taught you lately? What have you read of Christ’s words that either made you glad or mad? What of Christ word did you have to intentionally ignore this past week because it convicted you?
I want to remind you that His teaching is life changing. That’s what a disciple does – listens to the teacher.
They heard His authoritative preaching in the temple about the kingdom of God. Would you have watched your watch if He was preaching? He preached to their realties, their fears, and their faith.
Those who wanted to receive it received his preaching. I have come to learn that you can’t be choosey when you are in need. They needed a word while being under siege; we need a word from God while being under siege.
They heard Roman talk, they heard Pharisee talk, now they have heard God talk and they are excited. You have heard your friends talk, you have heard your parents talk, you have heard you co-workers talk, but when was the last time you heard God talk?
His words comforted the outcast, comforted the apostles, and confronted the traditionalists and the religionists. His wisdom mystified religious leaders. He had a word for Satan in the wilderness and Sadducees on the mountain.
Jesus, the Son of God not talking game, but talking God. He came telling them how to get right with God and it is still relevant today. Can you hear Him say, “I do not condemn you, go and sin no more”?
Can you hear Him say to the storms in your life, “Peace, be still”? Can you hear Him say to your weak and stressed out life, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”?
Can you hear Him say to your worried mind, “So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”?
No wonder at this moment they had nothing but praise for Him because God sent them a savior. Not only did they praise Him for what he said, but secondly, they also praised Him for what they had seen over the past three years that liberated them from their past, prepared them for their present, and gave them hope for the future.
II. They Praised Him for What They Had Seen
… the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen…
What did they see? I know they received an understanding of the activities of God as handed down to them by their parents, the prophets, and the priests.
A. Christ Activity Between Heaven and Earth
Christ was active between heaven and earth. Christ Himself was known indiscriminately and yet powerfully in the Old Testament through what was called a Theophany or Christophany – the pre-existence presence of Christ. Our New Testament unveils for us what was cloaked in the Old Testament.
Christ was there when the world was created. He was there when the first man and the first woman were created. He was there when the burning bush talked with Moses. He was there when Abraham offered his son up to God.
He was there when the Hebrew boys were thrown into the fiery furnace. He was there when the enemies of God fell under the armies God. He was there during the reign and activity of the priests, prophets, and the people of Israel.
Jesus stated Himself in John 5:39 "You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
Jesus told the religious leaders in John 8:58: “The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!" He was there! Now the past is being married with the present. What they learned and what they now have seen.
B. Christ Activity Between Earth and Calvary
The Scripture does not say that they are making all of that noise because of what they were taught, but for what they had seen. Christ has set before Him the direction towards Calvary, but He left behind Him a trail of changed people.
Remember the lives He touched, woven in the fabric of the New Testament accounts. He touched those who were as diverse in their symptoms and ailments as they were in their problems and practices.
He touched those who were divided by cultures and prejudices. He touched those who were the prominent and the poor. They are rejoicing and praising because they saw it for themselves. He did what others would not do.
What is your favorite life that He touched as chronicled by Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. To be honest all us can and should identify with many of those people he touched because their story could be our story.
· He gave sight to Blind Bartimaeus. I can identify with him because I was once blind spiritually, but Jesus gave me sight.
· He dried up the Woman with the issue of blood. I can identify with her because I was once flowing with things unholy and unhealthy, but Jesus is drying it up.
· He raised a Centurions servant, a father’s daughter, and two sisters brother, Lazarus. I can identify with them because I was once dead in trespasses and sins, but Jesus made me alive.
· He healed a paralyzed man. I can identify with him because I was once paralyzed with fear and shame, but Jesus set me free.
· He delivered a boy, a girl, a man, a woman possessed by a devil. I can identify with them because I once was under the authority of the prince of the power of the air, but Jesus set me free.
· He told a paralytic and a woman caught in adultery that their sins were forgiven. I can identify with them because I was caught in sin but Jesus died so that my sins can be forgiven too.
· He healed people with leprosy, ostracized and isolated. I can identify with them because I was at one time ostracized and isolated, cut off from family and friends, but Jesus came and rescued me.
Did Jesus touched you like he touched Matthew the tax collector, Peter the fisherman, the impotent man, the mother-in-law of Peter, the man with the withered hand, the five thousand He fed on one occasion and the four thousand He fed on another occasion?
He touched me. He touched me. In reality there is a part of all of us in the people he healed, delivered, and set free. They are singing and shouting for what they have seen.
I have to sing and shout today because I see some folks in here he has touched.
CONCLUSION
They were waving branches, rejoicing, and shouting unto God because Jesus had flipped the script. I have discovered that Christ specializes in flipping the script.
He will make your enemies that should defeat you become defeated.
He will take your sicknesses that should kill you and kill the disease.
He will take your pain that should stop you and let you keep on keeping on.
He will make your head filled with pain and turn it into a mouth filled with praise.
I’m closing now. But aren’t you glad that God has been flipping the script in your life?
You should have been dead and gone a long time ago, but God has been flipping your script.
Your heart should have been shattered beyond repair, but God has been flipping your script.
Your finances should have stayed messed up, but God has been flipping your script.
Your pillow should have stayed filled with tears, but God has been flipping your script.
You should have stayed down when the Devil had you down, but God has been flipping your script.
You should have given up a long time ago, but God has been flipping your script.
The old saints used to say, "God is a wonder. He placed my feet on solid ground. He lifted me from the muck and mire. He picked me up and turned me around."
If you don’t believe He can flip the script, just remember this about Jesus.
His enemies couldn’t defeat him.
The mob couldn’t kill him.
His family couldn’t discourage him.
His travels didn’t exhaust him.
The ministry didn’t burn him out.
Death attempts didn’t dissuade him.
Problems didn’t stop him.
Kingdoms didn’t worry him.
Betrayal didn’t stop him from praying.
Trial didn’t break him.
Conviction didn’t sway him.
Whips didn’t change him.
Nails couldn’t pierce his soul.
A lifted cross couldn’t cancel his magnetism.
Mocking couldn’t eliminate him.
Death couldn’t conquer him.
The grave couldn’t hold him.
For He got up with all power in His hand. And what God did for his son, he can do the same thing for you:
You should be able to bless Christ when you think about the cross that he carried...
You should be able to shout when you think about the journey up the hill to Calvary…
You should be able to jump for joy when you think about the nails in His hands…
You should be able to weep for joy when you think about him dying from the sixth to the ninth hour…
But praises...they should come…when you think about that early Sunday morning…He got up with all power in His hand.
Cancer won’t stop you from praising God.
Sickness won’t stop you from lifting up Holy Hands.
Problems won’t stop you from saying thank you Jesus
Most of all –
I used to be a sinner on my way to hell.
I was not fit to live and too mean to die.
But I heard the voice of Jesus…
I heard the Word of Jesus…
I felt the power of Jesus…
And the Holy Ghost kept on nudging me…
One evening, I came to Jesus,
And I now have a testimony…
He’s my joy, He’s my friend
He’s everything to me, He’s my shepherd…I have to wave my palm(CLOSE)
