Introduction

Welcome, beloved congregation. There is a certain warmth that comes from gathering together in His name, a warmth that is kindled by our shared faith, our shared hope, and our shared love for our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not merely a crowd, we are a community. We are not just a gathering, we are a family. And as a family, we come together today to learn, to grow, and to be transformed by the word of God.

Today, we will be turning our hearts and minds towards the Gospel of Mark, specifically Mark 11:1-11. It's a familiar passage, one that paints a vivid picture of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Yet, as familiar as it may be, there is always more depth to be found, more wisdom to be gleaned, more grace to be experienced.

Before we delve into the text, let us remember the words of Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years." Indeed, the Scripture is a wellspring of wisdom that never runs dry, a treasure trove of truth that never depletes. No matter how many times we read a passage, there is always something new to discover, something fresh to inspire us, something profound to challenge us.

Let us now read the passage together: "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying 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. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, 'What are you doing, untying that colt?' They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!' Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve." (Mark 11:1-11)

As we reflect on this passage, let us remember that we are not merely reading words on a page. We are encountering the living Word of God, the Word that spoke creation into existence, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us, the Word that has the power to transform our lives.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word. We thank You for the privilege of gathering together to study it, to reflect on it, and to be transformed by it. As we delve into this passage today, open our hearts and minds to receive the truth You have for us. Help us to see Jesus afresh, to understand His mission more deeply, and to respond to His call more faithfully. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Transition. Now, let us turn our attention to our first main point: Jesus' Juxtaposed Journey.

Jesus' Juxtaposed Journey

In the passage we have read, we see Jesus making a purposeful entry into Jerusalem, a city bustling with people who had come to celebrate the Passover. This was not a random act, but a deliberate move, a calculated step in His divine plan. He sends two of His disciples ahead to fetch a colt, a young donkey, which He would ride into the city. This act alone speaks volumes about the nature of Jesus' mission and His understanding of His role.

Firstly, we see Jesus' humility in His choice of transportation. He did not choose a majestic horse, the usual ride of kings and conquerors, but a humble colt. This was a clear message to the people that His kingship was not of this world. He was not coming to rule with an iron fist, but to serve with a loving heart. His kingdom was not about power and prestige, but about love and sacrifice.

Secondly, we see Jesus' fulfillment of prophecy in His entry into Jerusalem. The prophet Zechariah had foretold this event centuries before, saying, "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). By riding into Jerusalem on a colt, Jesus was affirming His identity as the Messiah, the promised King, the hope of Israel. He was not just another prophet or teacher, but the fulfillment of God's promises, the embodiment of God's salvation.

Thirdly, we see Jesus' authority in His command to the disciples. He tells them exactly where to find the colt and what to say if anyone questions them. And everything happens just as He said. This shows that Jesus was not just a passive victim of circumstances, but an active agent in His own destiny. He was not just following a script, but directing a divine drama. He was not just reacting to events, but orchestrating them according to God's plan.

Lastly, we see Jesus' reception by the people. They spread their cloaks on the road and shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" This was a royal welcome, a recognition of Jesus' kingship. But it was also a misunderstanding of His mission. They were expecting a political savior, a military messiah, who would overthrow the Roman oppressors and restore the kingdom to Israel. But Jesus was coming to establish a different kind of kingdom, a kingdom not of this world, a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Transition. In all these aspects, we see a juxtaposition, a contrast between human expectations and divine reality, between worldly values and heavenly virtues, between our ways and God's ways. And this is the challenge for us today: to see Jesus for who He really is, not who we want Him to be; to understand His kingdom for what it really is, not what we want it to be; to follow His way, not our own. This is the journey that Jesus invites us to join, a journey of faith, a journey of transformation, a journey of discipleship.

Jarring Jewish Expectations

As we continue to reflect on this passage, we find ourselves confronted with the stark contrast between what the people of Jerusalem expected of their Messiah and what Jesus actually came to do ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO