Crying Out for Life
Come Alive • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 3 viewsJesus Christ enters Jerusalem to fulfill his mission to bring all creation back to life through him.
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Transcript
Jesus was on the road to Jerusalem.
This journey started long ago, even before his birth.
His purpose was established even before creation of the world. It went beyond what people expected on day when the Palms were waved.
Jesus’ journey wasn’t about human approval and cooperation but one of obedience to the Father and fulfillment of His plan to redeem the world.
He directed two disciples to retrieve a waiting donkey. He always sent two.
They did not hesitate to go.
Jesus told them what they would find, at least one donkey for him to ride on.
If they saw Jesus heal people, give them abilities they never had, and raise someone from the dead, why would they have trouble believing him.
Certainly, predicting the presence of a donkey was no great feat in an agrarian culture.
They covered the donkey with their coats as a sign of honor.
It certainly sounds like they had a large celebration on that day.
An impromptu street party with a crowd shouting in unison and a parade, like they were rolling out the red carpet for Jesus.
Who would not be ecstatic with weeping and rejoicing if they thought they were being set free from their oppressors, finding peace again?
The people who greeted him were those who saw the miracles that Jesus performed, like his disciples.
They saw what he could do, and they knew that he could do more.
This happened while pilgrims gathered for the Great Sabbath and the Passover.
So, there were many people in the city to see and hear what was happening and to wonder what the commotion was all about.
They shout “Hosanna!,” meaning “Save us!” in Hebrew, and as “Praise!” in Greek of Jesus’ time.
In a sense they could be shouting, “Praise to the Son of David, who has come in the name of the Lord to save us from our enemies!”
Thought the crowd grasped something of Jesus’ import, they we also confused.
Some were confused about how Christ entered the city.
He arrived on a donkey, not a war horse and with a war chest.
Jesus arrived by humble means as Isaiah and Zechariah prophesied.
But the crowd was confused about how he would bring them redemption.
They recognized Jesus as the “Son of David,” one of the terms used for the Messiah, the one who would usher in the new kingdom.
The problem is they equate the kingdom of Israel with the Kingdom of God.
They expected at the coming of the Messiah, they would return to power as the days of old.
In the days of the kingdom of Israel, they were not faithful to God, and it resulted in disaster.
This one event would inspire many to ask, “Who is this?”
In the end, they declare him simply as a prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.
But he wasn’t just a prophet, and he was born in Bethlehem.
“Do not consider by what power he does them but only if he is able to do them. Believe.” – Unknown Patristic Father
We often get excited and confused at big public events.
We might be confused by bright lights, public personalities, or convincing speeches.
We might engage in emotionalism as we hear things we already agree with or see provocative imagery.
As a result, what we often feel is right in the moment, could ultimately lead us in entirely the wrong direction.
Jesus was more than the crowd expected.
Jesus entered Jerusalem gently and humbly riding on a donkey, but make no mistake, he did enter Jerusalem as her king.
Unfortunately, Jerusalem would not come to recognize her king.
Instead of taking his place on the throne of Jerusalem, Jesus would take his rightful place on the cross.
By the end of the week, some of those who cried our “Hosanna!” would be crying out for the Romans to “Crucify Him!”
The importance of the day wasn’t about who sang praises and who kept quiet.
All all of creation was in need of redemption;
All of creation was held under the curse of sin and death;
All of creation would praise God who would lift the curse and make a way to restore all creation.
This is all of what began and will end in Christ.
What about you?
What do you expect from Jesus this Easter? Are you prepared for His victory in your life to go beyond your expectations?
What was once impossible because we were separated from God by sin and death is now possible when we come alive to the life of Jesus.
Let us shout, “Hosanna! Lord praise you for coming to same us! Hosanna!”
Prayer
Lord, save us from our mistakes, our failures, and our selfishness.
Save us from our suffering, pain, and death.
Show us the power of the gentile humility that you displayed on that day in Jerusalem.
Help us to see that salvation comes from faith in you and lead us into your holy kingdom.
Take our misguided hearts and transform them, that we might join your work of restoration, healing, and making all things come alive. Amen.