"The Road To Jerusalem"

The Road to Jerusalem

Matthew 21:1-11

03/20/02

Subject: Christ entry into Jerusalem.

Compliment: Christ crucifixion was the Atonement for us.

Opening:

Today as we look at ¡§The Road to Jerusalem¡¨ our attention will be drawn to two things, first it was a road that had to be traveled and second, it was a road that would change mankind for all eternity.

Many men and women have lived triumphed and victorious lives. Their accomplishments have been recorded in history books for everyone to read.

There have been volumes written on the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. They describe his accomplishments, his military genius, the campaigns that he fought, and the battles he had won.

But when it came to his death, the last edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica read this way ¡§He died on the morning of May 5th in his fifty-second year. His body was dressed in his favorite uniform and covered with a cloak he wore at Marengo. He was buried in a lovely spot near a spring, shaded by two weeping willows. ¡¥Here lies¡¦ was written on his stone, no name.¡¦ In other words, the death of Napoleon was about the least important episode of his life, Whereas the crucifixion was the celebrated event in the life of Christ.

The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ was the complete payment for the sins of the world. No other sacrifice was sufficient and no other sacrifice was required. And according to the scriptures he laid down his life that all might live.

Gal 2:20

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

But in order to save the world from their sins, in order to save you and me from our sins, he must first walk down ¡§The Road to Jerusalem¡¨

Introduction:

And as we will see in Matt 21:1-11 there was four very specific characteristics of Jesus¡¦ triumphal entry into Jerusalem:

ć The road to Jerusalem would be a road of humility.

ć The road to Jerusalem would be a road of fulfillment.

ć The road to Jerusalem would be a road of Obedience.

ć The road to Jerusalem would be a road of Destiny.

1. The Passover was being celebrated, a celebration that had been taking place for over 1400 years. It was a celebration of thankfulness to God for bringing them out of Egyptian captivity.

2. With more than 2 million people in the town of Jerusalem at this time of the year it was a hopping place.

A. Imagine one of the busiest places you have been. (Christmas at the Malls)

3. Even though it was a time of celebration; a time to thank God, the Israelites have found themselves under oppression from the Roman government and once again awaiting God to send them a deliverer, another Moses or David.

4. As Jesus enters into the city the people begin to cry ¡§Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest¡¨

A. They have heard of the great wisdom of Jesus

B. Many have seen the miracles

C. And some had been there when He had feed the five thousand with only a few fishes and loves of bread.

D. So their shout of ¡§Hosanna¡¨ was a shout of ¡§Save us¡¨

5. But there was a problem Jesus did not come to save them from their political oppression; he came to rescue them from their sins.

6. There is quit a difference in what the people saw this day and what the Lord was doing.

A. The people saw Jesus entering in splendor to take the throne.

B. Jesus entered in with a humble spirit to accept his fate.

C. The people could smell victory in the air.

D. Jesus tasted suffering and death.

E. The people thought He was the man of the hour.

F. Jesus knew His hour to die had come.

Read (Matt 21:1-11)

1. The road to Jerusalem would be a road of humility and not of royalty.

A. Jesus was the rightful heir to royalty he could have entered in as a King. (Rev 19:16) calls Him the Kings of Kings

Phil 2:9-11

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

B. But instead of marching in on a stallion Jesus sent his disciples to retrieve a donkey. (Illustration: Colorado)

(Horse: sign of war Donkey: sign of Peace)