PALM SUNDAY

 

Mark 11:1-11:  When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it.

 

Open with the object lesson that this flower represents the brokenness of our lives.  The sin, pain, sorrow, frustration, broken dreams, unrealized expectation hurt bitterness and unforgiveness.

 

1.      The first lesson we learn here is that God that always goes ahead and handles all the details even before we have to do a task.  This is the sovereignty of God.  Jesus tells them to go ahead to the small village ahead and notice He says immediately when you enter it you will see a colt that never had been written.  That is what happened.  Just like when Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac the Lord had provided a ram ahead of time.  God arranges circumstances, animals, things and people to be there when things need to happen.  Talk about Greg Musselman.  

2.      When they were to untie it if someone was to ask they had the answer.  “The Lord needed it. “

That is what happened.  The Lord even wrote the script.  That is why Jesus said, “In that how when you don’t know what to say the Holy Spirit will give you the words.”  This is amazing.

3.      Next, they brought the coat to Jesus and they threw their clocks on it and he sat on it.  This never happens.  Colts never let you sit on their backs.  The Prince of Peace calmed a colt that day,  Talk about the time my friends let me ride little jack the pinto.  Jesus controlled the whole situation.  Our lesson here is that God has everything under control.  You can trust him.  He has been there long before you show up.  Prov 3:5-6, Matt 6:33. 

4.      The disciples put their clocks on the colt and this would be the pattern of the entry into Jerusalem.  Let me give you the lay of the land and why it would take a while.  Jesus was coming from the east travelling west.  He was on the Mount of Olives, He had to travel down a steep ravine passing through the Kidron Valley up the other side into the east gate and Jerusalem.  This is about 4 kilometers in total.  The trail was no more than 12 feet wide. 

 

Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,  “Hosanna!  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

 

1.       As they were going into the city many of the people spread their cloaks on the road.  This in ancient culture was a sign of homage.  Ancient societies when they were welcoming a god into their city this is what they did.  The people were welcoming God into their city.  Jesus was to them the Messiah, the King or representative of God.  Remember Jesus is God with a face.  Jesus did not refuse the worship which made the leaders angry.  They were venerating, worshipping honoring and paying homage to Jesus.

2.      They then said four things. 

 

a.      Hosanna which means, “Save us, help us and deliver us.  They were saying God is saving, rescuing and helping us.  Another way of saying it is, “God help, save and rescue us.”  This was a cry of worship, salvation, redemption and deliverance.  They were Saying the Savior, Messiah, King and Deliverer has arrived.  Let’s say, “Hosanna together.”  Stand. take your bulletin and wave it.

b.      Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.  To them Jesus was the Messiah, the King who would deliver them.  They thought the reign of Rome was about to come to the end and a new earthly Messianic kingdom was about to start.  Can you feel the excitement of that moment.  They were repeating Psalm 118:26.  They had been waiting hundreds of years and now salvation, redemption and deliverance was upon them.  However it was different than they expected.  The lesson here never try to guess what God is doing.  Just trust Him.  God never seems to work on our timetable, expectations or agenda.  He is large and in charge.  Jesus came in the name of the Lord to fulfill His purposes.  We are to do that in our world.  Let us say together “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”

c.      Blessed is the coming of the Kingdom of David.  Jesus was a descendent of David.  They were right about that but the Kingdom they were looking for was an earthly kingdom.  Jesus was bringing a kingdom in the heart of righteousness, peace and joy.  This will happen in the future but at this time Jesus was the suffering Messiah.  Let us say, “Blessed is the coming of the Kingdom of David.”

d.      Hosanna in the highest.  Hosanna was the shout of praise or adoration made in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus on his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  It was quite a scene.  The other gospels give us more detail but Mark strikes at the heart of the matter.  Jesus the Savior of mankind. And the Prince of Peace was riding into the city of peace to make peace for all mankind by His broken body, shed blood, his death, burial and resurrection.  “Let us say, Hosanna in the Highest.”  Let us welcome Jesus in to our hearts, families, church, community, province and country.

 

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

 

1.      So Jesus enters Jerusalem.  The King was in the house.  Now notice what he does next.  He goes to the temple looks at everything.  He sees the tables, the animals, the moneychangers and where they are located.  Can you see His mind at work?  He is making plans, strategizing on tomorrow’s activities.  Tomorrow he will cleanse the temple and begin the final stages of His last week on earth. 

2.      The hour was late so Jesus heads back across the Kidron Valley up the Mount of Olives to Bethany with the twelve. 

 

Close with a new flower.  Jesus puts our lives back together.  He took away our sin, sorrow, pain suffering, frustration, broken dreams unrealized expectations and all the others things the devil, world and others have thrown us.  We by his broken body, shed blood, death, burial and resurrection makes our lives beautiful, fragrant and wonderful to look at.