The Big Reveal

The Big Reveal Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Palm Sunday; Hosanna; Jesus Was the Messiah; Triumphal Entry / Luke 19:28-44 Introduction Health and Fitness shows abound on television and in news feeds with their big reveals. The reveal entails one who has undertaken a journey and accomplished what was necessary to reach toward their goal or goals. Even if you watch on TV they always take a break from what you see so they can have a big reveal. They gather the friends and family and they wait anxiously. When the guest of honor arrives there is a moment in which they walk into the room and gasps of aw can be heard and tears fall and people exclaim at the reveal of where they are now and who they are now. Its all quite riveting really. This morning we come to perhaps a familiar passage in Luke's Gospel. In this passage before us Jesus makes His entry into Jerusalem - many chapters ago we read Jesus had set His face to Jerusalem and we followed His final journey to Jerusalem and we have arrived at this point with Him and His disciples where He will make His entry into Jerusalem. As He makes His entry I want us to see this event as His big reveal. He reveals Himself to His disciples, the crowds, and yes even the Pharisees. As we read through this dont miss who Jesus has revealed Himself to be just because we are familiar with this event, dont miss who He reveals Himself to be because Palm Sunday is next week. Keep in mind Jesus disciples travelled with Him and were in His presence almost entirely and even they missed His reveal. Luke 19:28-30 CSB 28 When he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples 30 and said, "Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. Luke 19:31-33 CSB 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say this: 'The Lord needs it.' " 32 So those who were sent left and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" Luke 19:34-36 CSB 34 "The Lord needs it," they said. 35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their clothes on the colt, they helped Jesus get on it. 36 As he was going along, they were spreading their clothes on the road. Luke 19:37-39 CSB 37 Now he came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: 38 Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven! 39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." Luke 19:40-42 CSB 40 He answered, "I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out." 41 As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, 42 saying, "If you knew this day what would bring peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes. Luke 19:43-44 CSB 43 For the days will come on you when your enemies will build a barricade around you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you and your children among you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in your midst, because you did not recognize the time when God visited you." Revealed Authority Luke 19:28-30 CSB 28 When he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples 30 and said, "Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. Luke 19:31-34 CSB 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say this: 'The Lord needs it.' " 32 So those who were sent left and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 "The Lord needs it," they said. When Jesus had said the things - the parable and lesson of the minas - He went on ahead going up to Jerusalem. As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at a place called the Mountain of Olives He called two disciples to send them on a mission ahead. With Jerusalem in the backdrop Jesus prepared for His arrival in Jerusalem by sending out these disciples with a mission to bring that which was necessary. Jesus instructed the disciples to go into the village ahead and proceeded to describe to them a colt (foal of a donkey) on which one has never sat. Untie this donkey and bring it. Also if anyone stops you and asks why you are untying it say this "The Lord needs it" So those who were left, and then we read they found it just as he had told them. First I must point out Jesus was not instructing His disciples to steal this colt or donkey. In our eyes reading today it looks like that but in Jesus time this wouldnt be considered stealing. Second I want us to see that this interaction revealed Jesus' authority or in other words His sovereignty in the details of things. Two things happen inside this - Jesus knew about this colt and the owners let it go at the mention of the Lord needing it. A custom of this time and this culture was that when needed royalty or emissaries would borrow someones livestock for their purposes. In fact it was actually considered a very high honor to have your livestock - or in this case colt chosen to be used. At the mere mention of Jesus being Lord the owner relinquished the animal As we see this transaction take place its easy to get lost in the aw that the owner gave up the animal so easily - but Jesus knew about this donkey and where to find it and how it would be found and the words that would cause the owner to let them untie it and take it back to Him. Jesus could not have known about this donkey from a previous trip a year ago - it would not be a colt any longer and definitely would not have remained as it was not ridden by anyone. So how did He know? This knowledge reveals Jesus authority to know all things John 16:30 CSB 30 Now we know that you know everything and don't need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God." This is right before Jesus tells them what will happen next so that they will see His authority and realize that in Him they have peace. John 16:31-33 CSB 31 Jesus responded to them, "Do you now believe? 32 Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world." John 13:19 CSB 19 I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am he. Jesus knew what words the owner needed to be at peace letting the donkey go - because Jesus has authority to know the hearts of people as well John 2:24 NKJV 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, Acts 1:24 CSB 24 Then they prayed, "You, Lord, know everyone's hearts; show which of these two you have chosen The New King James Version Chapter 9 Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart Jesus revealed that He has authority and dominion over that which no one else ever has - all things and all hearts. Revealed Mission Luke 19:35 CSB 35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their clothes on the colt, they helped Jesus get on it. So the disciples bring the colt back to Jesus. In preparation of Jesus riding the colt the disciples threw their clothes on the colt and they proceeded to help Jesus get on it. This colt and Jesus riding on it was revealing of Jesus also. Jesus riding on the colt revealed His mission as a King of authority bringing peace. It being the time of another passover is why Jesus and the disciples were headed to Jerusalem. It was commanded in the law that all who were able to were to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. Jesus as far as I know and have read and studied has gone to the passover every year in Jerusalem but this is the only time it is ever recorded that He rode a colt there - or an animal at all! This time however He sends His disciples to find this colt and He gets on it to ride into Jerusalem. Jesus in riding the colt into Jerusalem intends to reveal Himself - the colt reveals His mission. Why would this reveal His mission? This comes from a word of prophecy written by the prophet Zechariah Zechariah 9:9 CSB 9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. The coming King of Jerusalem would come to them humbly and riding on a donkey - a colt. The way a king came into town revealed His purpose. If the king came on a white horse - war and conquering was the purpose. If the king however came on a colt the intention was to make or extend peace to that place and the people. This is why Jesus this time had to ride on a colt to reveal His mission was not to conquer but to seek and save that which was lost and extend peace to them. Revealed Worthy Luke 19:36-37 CSB 36 As he was going along, they were spreading their clothes on the road. 37 Now he came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: Luke 19:38-40 CSB 38 Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven! 39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out." Jesus began going down the narrow and steep road leading down the Mount of Olives, through the Kidron Valley and entering into the city of Jerusalem by the eastern gate (show the pictures). As Jesus was going the people were spreading their clothes on the road, and they began to spontaneously praise both God and Jesus for the miracles they had seen. The whole crowd of people were shouting - in a joyfully loud voice it says - "Blessed is the KING who comes in the name of the Lord, Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!" Despite the whole crowd shouting and praising and worshipping there were some who were not. Do you hear the nefarious and daunting music? It was none other than the Pharisees who in the middle of this joyful jubilation of the people demand Jesus to rebuke His disciples. Why? The expression of the people is praise and as I said worship expressed both toward God and also toward Jesus. The word "worship" comes from an Old English word that means "worthship." It means, "to ascribe worth to someone." We worship God because He is worthy, and here we see the worship of Jesus and His acceptance of it reveals He is worthy Revelation 19:10 CSB 10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who hold firmly to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Revelation 22:8-9 CSB 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. 9 But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!" Acts 10:25-26 CSB 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up and said, "Stand up. I myself am also a man." No one sent of God accepts worship so as not to steal glory from God - Jesus accepts worship because as God He is worthy of it. In fact Jesus says He is so worthy that if the people would stop the very rocks and stones themselves would cry out. Jesus is not only worthy of worship - it would not be silenced. Revealed Visitation Luke 19:41-42 CSB 41 As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, 42 saying, "If you knew this day what would bring peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes. Luke 19:43-44 CSB 43 For the days will come on you when your enemies will build a barricade around you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you and your children among you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in your midst, because you did not recognize the time when God visited you." Jesus saw Jerusalem and the people there and He knew what awaited Him. All these things flooded His mind as He made His way into the city. As He approached He wept - for though it looked like they accepted Him, He knew soon they would turn and reject Him. Jesus has only ever been recorded as weeping twice in scripture. Over the death of Lazarus - death being the effect of sin and over the people here whom He knew would reject Him and ultimately be rejecting salvation. The people desired peace - but they sought peace from Rome and dismissed thinking they needed peace from God. They thought peace could only come from a conquering king or Messiah. Only His death could bring the everlasting peace. John 14:27 CSB 27 "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don't let your heart be troubled or fearful. Rome could be overthrown but without peace with God - they would still die in their sins. Another Rome will come but if they have eternal peace no other Rome can take it again. Jesus now sees ahead to the time of their destruction because they missed the time of their visitation from God himself. Jesus reveals here that He is God and He has visited His people. They missed it - though they shouldnt have! It was prophesied down to the very day that Messiah would come and die. Daniel the prophet laid out 70 weeks for the history of Israel. Daniel 9:24 CSB 24 Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city- to bring the rebellion to an end, to put a stop to sin, to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place. 69 weeks Daniel 9:25 CSB 25 Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until an Anointed One, the ruler, will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat, but in difficult times. A week is a prophetic 7 years so the total timeline is 490 years. The first 69 go from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One - Messiah. 69 times 7 = 483 years - going by a lunar calendar which is what the Jews use a year was 360 days. The decree to rebuild Jerusalem is matter of recorded historical fact - March 14, 445 B.C. Nehemiah lead the effort rebuilding the city took 49 years so 445 BC + 483 years would not be 38 AD but would be precisely April 6th 32 AD - Palm Sunday Jesus is weeping because they should have known the exact day of visitation - and on top of that weeping because they missed the day of visitation from their God! Daniel 9:26 CSB 26 After those sixty-two weeks the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the coming ruler will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed. Conclusion Palm Sunday is remembered as such for it was the day of Jesus entry into Jerusalem to accomplish His mission as Messiah. This day was the big reveal - many things revealed the true identity of Jesus but none should have been more apparent than Him being revealed as Messiah on the promised and prophesied day! This day is the first advent of Christ - not His birth but here as He is revealed as THE Messiah promised to Israel to save them. Dont miss His big reveal! In the revealed authority of Jesus we can have peace, knowing that He knows all things even the simple details of where a colt is tied up. Jesus's mission of extending peace to men on behalf of God is revealed - know that Jesus is the one for whom you can have peace with God - a peace only He can give and that no one and nothing else can take from you! Jesus is revealed as worthy of worship and we are to praise Him - not when we feel like it - but we praise and worship Him because He is worthy! May we surpass the stones as we cry out in worship and praise! We look back to Palm Sunday as Jesus was revealed and we do this through scriptural accounts - by reading the Bible - the Bible also reveals who Jesus is - dont miss it because scripture is supposed to lead you to see that you need Jesus and through Jesus you find forgiveness of sin and everlasting life. It doesnt matter how well you know Gods word and memorize and all that - what matters is do you see Jesus and your revealed need for salvation in Him? John 5:39 CSB 39 You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. John 11:25-26 CSB 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:27 CSB 27 "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world." Do you believe Jesus as He is revealed to be? Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:24 PM March 20, 2021.