The Coming of the King

Today, we’re going to do what we often do. We’re going to look into some history. We’re going to look into the past. And why would we want to do that? We do that so that we can live in the present with an eye on the future. And the history that we are going to do this reflecting on is the history of the people of God. And the particulars for today are quite familiar.

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” Matthew 21.1-11

There are different themes that run through this account of what happened that day when Jesus entered Jerusalem. But this is the first thing that I want you to notice: the excitement of the people. Listen again to what they were shouting.

Palm Sunday: What and Why

Today, is Palm Sunday. It’s a day we remember Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and the beginning of the most important week in history since humanity’s fall into sin. We remember Jesus riding on that donkey. We remember the cheering crowds and how they welcomed the anointed of Yahweh. We have images in our minds of what was going on. We remember Palm Sunday.

What I’d like to do this morning is not rehearse the things that we remember about that day, all the things going on around Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem. What I’d like to do, instead, is to consider what was going on inside Jesus. So, the sermon will be about two questions.

Coronation

Today is Palm Sunday. Today, we celebrate the beginning of the climax of Jesus’ life. Jesus goes to Jerusalem one last time. This trip and the week that follows has been the goal of His whole life. Finally, it’s here. What I’d like to do this morning is look at what happened through the lens of two questions: ‘What did Jesus accomplish by coming to Jerusalem?’ and ‘How did He accomplish it?’

Let’s begin by reading Matthew’s account of Jesus’ triumphant entrance.

Celebrating the Resurrection, Part 1

Throughout her history the Church has celebrated the mighty works of God. One good example of this is Passover, the rescue of the Church from the slavery of Egypt. Starting from the days of Moses that event was remembered and celebrated every year. Another good example of this is the Church's remembering and celebrating Jesus' resurrection from the dead. That also has been celebrated every year for quite a long time. Unfortunately, the celebration of this event has been has been tampered with by the world. For so many these days, the celebration of the resurrection isn't actually about anyone's resurrection. It's about bunnies and colored eggs and empty proclamations about life being renewed. And that is sad. The Church needs to reclaim her celebrations. But why? Why is this important? It's important because celebrations are supposed to teach. Celebrations are supposed to explain life. Memorial Day once had lessons to teach. It no longer does. Now, it's just how we mark the beginning of summer festivities. The celebrations of the Church are intended to teach. That is what they are for. They teach us that there is a God who rescues His people from slavery. There is a God who walks with them through what sometimes feels like a desert. There is a God who dies for their sins. There is a God who gives them life. We celebrate so that we can be taught. We celebrate so that we can understand life. We celebrate so that we can live well. We need to reclaim the celebration of Jesus' resurrection so that we can learn important lessons about life and pass them on to our children and their children.

A Life Lived Well

Today, is Palm Sunday, the day when, historically, the Church has spent some time remembering and reflecting on Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. There are many different perspectives that one can take on that event. There’s the theme of coronation from Psalm 2: ‘As for me, I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.’ You can see Jesus’ arrival in the context of King David dancing before the ark of the Lord as it was carried into Jerusalem. Then there’s Jesus’ most interesting comment about the stones crying out. That’s more than poetic overstatement. Something cosmic is going on. Creation is also affected by what Jesus is going to do. But whatever else may be true of Jesus’ arrival, this certainly is: As Jesus rides into the city, it is clear to Him that by Friday He will be dead. We’re going to poke at that perspective and see what it has to teach us about how to live well.

So, please listen as I read our text, Luke 19.36-48.