The Road Less Traveled By
“When He had said this, He went on ahead going up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a cold tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent when their way and found it just as He had said to them. But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olive, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen saying, “Blessed is the King who come in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19:28-40).
What would you do if you only had one week to live? What would you think about? Who would you visit? The Triumphal entry marked the beginning of Passion week, the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. It happened on Sunday. On the Friday before, after healing the blind men at Jericho, Jesus and His disciples walked up the Jericho road toward Jerusalem. From sunset Friday to sunset Saturday (Jewish Sabbath) Jesus and His disciples rested, perhaps in the home of Martha and Mary at Bethany. This two day interval, prior to the Triumphant Entry was marked with important instructions and teachings from the Lord Jesus. He expressed the amazing passion God has for man, especially those who are the seemingly forgotten of society, the last ones chosen for anything. Jesus tells the story of the workers chosen at 6am, 9am, 12noon, 3pm and 5pm. This clearly demonstrates that no matter how long you have waited, or how much time you have wasted, He has a place for you; if you so choose.
Jesus tells of his impending death at the hands of sinners. That He has come to give His life “as a ransom for many.” He reaches out to open the blinded eyes of the beggars along the roadside. These who are rejected by society. These who are dirty, loud, obnoxious, and embarrassing. As He gently touches them the love and grace of God continues to flow forth.
When are we going to see through the eyes of Jesus? When will we learn that God is more concerned about a right heart than he is about the right clothes or the right procedure?
Notice that with only a week to live, Jesus observed the Sabbath, communing with the Father. With all those apostles to train, and people to teach, He took a day, the Sabbath, to rest and worship. If Jesus found time in the midst of a racing agenda to stop the rush and sit in silence, worshipping, do you think we could too? Worship is more important than work.
Sunday has arrived and the disciples have retrieved the donkey’s colt as Jesus had instructed them. Jesus and his followers start toward Jerusalem, which lies just ahead. Jerusalem, that hotbed of political and religious strife. Jerusalem, whose name means “City of Peace” ironically has its history written in blood, sweat, and tears. Although it is such, it still held the attraction as the central place of worship, attracting a myriad of worshippers.
Jesus enters Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate, the gate in which the promised Messiah was to enter. His followers are excited, shouting “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” They are waving palm branches, the symbol of victory. People spread their clothes on the road before Christ as He entered. Jerusalem’s inhabitants are beginning to gather, wondering, “who is this?” As they enter the city, the Tower of Antonia, where the Roman garrison lay, overlooked Eastern Gate. Did this fuel the crowd in their desires to be freed from Roman tyranny? The people were thinking of political deliverance from Rome and the restoration of Israel as a nation once again. And Jesus was the “Man of the hour!” Did they notice Jesus’ mode of travel, the colt of a donkey, a symbol of peace and servanthood; a fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy (ch9)? Ah, but Jesus knew. He knew how superficial people can be. He knew by week’s end people would be crying “Crucify.” Did they notice His tears for the city as He entered? Did they notice His heart-break over Jerusalem’s callous heart? Time and again the Holy City had been visited by God, through prophet and priest, miracle and teaching, deliverance and judgment. Again and again God’s word had come to save, but the city would not hear, would not respond and obey. Finally “when the fullness of time was come, God sent His Son. It was Jerusalem’s supreme and last opportunity.
In another section of the city, Pilate paces the floor concerned about the large number of Passover pilgrims who have entered the city. At the Temple or perhaps meeting in their homes, Caiaphas and Annas are restless over this controversial Nazarene. And even among the disciples, Judas eyes the Master with eyes filled with disillusionment and deceit.
Jesus enters Jerusalem. He is commonly clad, but uncommonly focused. He does not chatter. He does not pause. He is on a journey, on the road less traveled by. He has made His choice, the choice for you and me! It is indeed a road less traveled by...
Robert Frost wrote, “Two road diverged into a yellow wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
Times have changed, but God’s call has not. Times have changed, but God’s command of obedience has not. Today, there are two roads before us. One leads to hell and destruction. The other leads to the Cross and eternal life. Which one will you choose? Which road will you travel? The same choices, the same two roads facing Jesus are facing us today. Will you choose His way? Notice the choices He was faced with. Notice the Road He Walked.
I. THE FIRST CHOICE BEFORE JESUS IS THE PRESSURE OF THE CROWD VERSUS THE PURPOSES OF GOD.
A. Every Jewish person could tell you what the Messiah would look like.
1. When Messiah came he would be a kingly figure bringing in God’s rule
2. He would re-establish the throne of his father David. Rome and its tyrannizing legions would be put to flight. A new era of peace and brotherhood would be ushered in.
B. Jesus knew the role model to which He was expected to conform.
1. He was surrounded by His disciples who urgently tried to push Him in this direction (James & John sitting on rt. hand)
Judas and Simon were Zealots (mbrs of the extreme & violent Jewish nationalistic party which sought to drive the Romans out of Palestine by revolution and guerrilla warfare.)
2. There were pressures from friends and family members who urged Him to turn back, and steer clear of danger.
3. The authorities tried to turn Him away with opposition and intimidation.
C. Jesus told His disciples that He must suffer and die. He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be serve, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many” When will God’s people, the Church learn this same servant-principle, and let go of selfish agendas.
The title “Son of Man” held significant meaning for the Jewish people. It was a statement of power and authority. We would use title of “general.” When Jesus used this title the people cheered, but when He said the Son of Man would suffer....well this didn’t fit the image of the crowd.
D. Jesus agonized over the pressure of crowd versus the purposes of God. “Not My will, but Yours be done.”
1. He could have saved His life, but that would have meant the loss of all that He came to accomplish - our salvation.
2. Jesus wouldn’t accept their idea of a power wielding Messiah, but instead accepted the role of the suffering Messiah, a suffering servant. He is the General who dies in place of the private, the King who suffers for the peasant, the Master who sacrifices Himself for the servant. Hallelujah!
3. Jesus wouldn’t give in to their pressures, but turned His face toward Jerusalem and the Cross.
E. How about us? Do we give in to the pressures of the crowd or do we stand for Christ and His Kingdom? If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything. Take courage if you are resisting the pressures of the crowd and the world saying, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Take courage, my friend, because you are in good company. You are walking the road less traveled by with Jesus Christ, the Lord.
II. THE SECOND CHOICE FACING JESUS WAS PERSONAL INTEGRITY VERSUS PUBLIC POPULARITY
A. Popularity is such a powerful, but fickle and elusive thing. People will do almost anything to be popular. Sociologists tell us that of all the fantasies people engage in, none is stronger than the fantasy of fame. TV, radio, movies, magazines, newspapers, sports, politics, advertising, even religion thrive on fame.
B. Jesus did not come to make a name for Himself. He always pointed beyond Himself to His heavenly Father. He took no credit for His mighty acts, but gave the credit and glory to God. Jesus was strangely indifferent to human accolades.
C. Jesus possessed what psychologists call “congruence.” A “congruent” person is one who knows Who he is, What he is here for, and Where he is going. A congruent person has self-respect, self-esteem, self-worth, and self-dignity. He does not need the public’s approval. He is man of integrity. Jesus was such a Man.
1. It seems few people are congruent. Therefore many look to others for approval and for confirmation of their dignity and worth. We need to become congruent. We must become people of integrity. You are a person of worth, dignity, and value, because you know you are a child of God.
D. Marks of integrity
1. An excellent attitude - Attitude is up to you. Our attitude can have more influence that our past, our education, money, circumstances, skills, failures, successes, or how others treat us. The attitudes of a Christian are: Unselfish humility, positive cooperation, genuine joy
2. Faithful in work - Be a respected worker. One who is diligent, determined, disciplined, and skillful, giving your employer an honest day’s work.
3. Personal Purity
4. A consistent walk with God.
III. THE FINAL CHOICE FACING JESUS WAS SUCCESS VERSUS SERVICE
A. Jesus’ ministry was a failure in the eyes of the world. The successful ones were those like Caiaphas, Pilate. The dominant motif of Jesus’ life was not success, but SERVICE.
B. In service lies true greatness.
1. The world may assess your greatness by the number of people you command, by your intellectual standing and academic degrees, or the amount of your material possessions.
2. In the assessment of Jesus Christ, these are all irrelevant. His assessment is what have you done with your faith in Him. How many people have you helped? We are called to serve others and imitate Jesus’ example. Ask Jesus to teach you how to love, serve, and lead, to focus on the needs of others. Ask Him to make your agenda subservient to the agenda of others, that your words, attitudes, actions would convey sincere love and appreciation for others. May your ministry to others today be likened to a towel, some water, a basin, and a heart of loving servanthood, willingly and cheerfully giving yourself away so that others may know and love and serve Jesus Christ more dearly...
Do you know the difference between a thermostat and a thermometer? A thermometer merely tells what the temperature is in a particular area. If your thermometer reads seventy degrees and you place that thermometer in a room that is currently eighty degrees, the thermometer will change to register whatever the room temperature is. It won’t be long before the thermometer reads eighty degrees. It always adjusts to its environment. The thermostat, however, adjusts the room temperature. If the thermostat is set at seventy degrees and the room is at eighty degrees, the temperature of the room changes to conform to whatever the thermostat is reading. The room will become seventy degrees. You live your life as either a thermostat or a thermometer. You can either blend in with the crowd, or you can change the crowd. You are either influencing others, or they are influencing you. Jesus calls us to become thermostats. Actually since they didn’t have thermostats in Bible times, Jesus used the terms, “salt and light,” to communicate that we are to be agents of change in the world.
The road less traveled by is not a popular one, but one that leads home. The choice then is your choice today. Which road will you choose?
4-16-00 Grace
