Triumphal Entry
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28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
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Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. -
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.”
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
23 The Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad
25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord, we bless you
27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Christian Passion week begins with Palm Sunday and culminates at the cross on Good Friday and the climax on Easter Sunday. This is a very special week indeed for the true Christian. As Paul says in 1 Cor 15:17,19 ‘if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. …. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…’
By looking in depth at Palm Sunday weekend, we see that Jesus was in control throughout the whole journey, right from Galilee when Luke 9:51 says he ‘set his face towards Jerusalem where he would be taken up,’ meaning crucified and risen.
Jesus had a saying from his first miracle at the wedding in Cana in Jn 2. It was "My hour has not yet come’ – Jn 2:4, Jn 7:6,8,30, 8:20. Now at his Triumphal Entry, he knows this is it and in John 12:23 ‘he said the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’
What does he mean by that?
Jn 12:32 says "When I am lifted up I will draw all people to myself". That has two meanings: He's going to be lifted up on the cross and die. But he will be lifted up and glorified in death as Saviour when all these Hosannas come true - death will not be able to keep hold of him. His hour of glory will also be his hour of suffering.
Yesterday, we celebrated with the community Palm Sunday Eucharist which was very special. This morning, I want to share with you some things that we did not cover. Things that will prepare us well for this Holy Week, the final week of Lent.
To help us, I have come up with 4 C’s which I hope will help you remember and if you are taking notes, will help you with headings. Context. Control. Confusion. Conclusion
First, the Context, second, the Control, third the Confusion, and finally, a Conclusion
1 Context
2 Control
3 Confusion
4 Conclusion
Context
We have already established much of the context by looking at the weekend of Palm Sunday and I will not repeat myself except to remind us that Jesus had just walked through Jericho where he met and supped with Zac, after Bart’s proclamation that Jesus was ‘Son of David’, not forgetting that Bart received his sight. On his last Sabbath he was anointed for burial and I would like to add that he was also anointed as king for the Triumphal Entry. In other words our context is that Jesus was on a journey but also on a mission – lay down his life in Jerusalem for us.
‘I must keep going ..for surely no prophet can die o/side Jeru.’ (Luke 13:33)
Let add some context and read from Mark 10:32-34 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again, he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 ‘We are going up to Jerusalem,’ he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
This context from Mark is that Jesus explains the meaning and purpose of his death just before Bartimaeus proclaims him Messiah: ‘Son of David.’
Mark 10:45 is a key verse: ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Mk 10:45 summarises who Jesus is and what he came to do.
So, Mk 10:32-34
a) For the first time, tells us that his death will be in Jerusalem.
b) For the first time, we learn that both Jews and Gentiles will reject him.
c) Jesus will be a victim of injustice. The phrase “condemn him to death” Mk 10:33 is judicial. So he will be tried and convicted by a court, not murdered by a group.
d) Jesus foretells that he will experience the public humiliation of a Roman criminal - they will “mock… spit… flog” him (v. 34). Mk 10:32-34 shows that his death was not by chance but part of his mission, planned and central to both his identity and his purpose on earth.
The classic hymn How Great Thou Art puts the context so well. Written by British Missionary to Ukraine, Stuart Hyne in 1948 inspired by a Swedish Poem. It was sang 99 times at Billy Graham’s New York Crusade in 1957.
And when I think that God his son, not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on that cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin.
That is the reality of what is going on here, that is the Context. How Great Thou Art
Control
Jesus stops in Bethany, where his friends Laz, Mary and Martha live and he is actually orchestrating his Triumphal entry. The pilgrims from the villages Bethany and Bethphage knew him so well and loved him dearly. They will be behind him, with him and before him (Mk11:9). He is in control of the situation with many supporters among the pilgrims.
Jesus was also in Control of the donkey location. When he sent two disciples to Bethpage he knew that village, he knew who owned Donkeys. When the disciples gave the answer ‘the master needs it’ the drama builds some more. Jesus in control. This is not gentle Jesus meek and mild; this is Breaking News – Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem on a donkey, acknowledging that he is the Messiah. The crowd who were with him cheered – he knew they would – they knew him and loved him – they hailed “hosanna“ save us now.
Jesus was also in Control of the donkey selection, the choice of steed. He was in line with Zechariah’s prophecy 500 years earlier he is riding on a donkey, the beast of a servant a peaceful ride. ‘See, your king comes to you….lowly and riding on a donkey.’
Oh the humility of our peace-prince lowly riding into Jerusalem, where he would be named king. Jesus is in control, making a choices that connect with the prophet Zechariah – a king on a donkey.
Notice the last verse, Mark 11:11 ‘since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.’ At the end of Palm Sunday Jesus chose to go back to Bethany to rest with his disciples and friends. He is in control, ready for the week ahead. Application: Sometimes when we are going through hard times we get a bit hazy on where the Lord is in the midst of suffering and is Jesus really in control? When we're hazy about him we need to be clear about 2 big truths [1]He is in control! Romans 8:28 All things work together for good to those who love God..[2] He hasn’t abandoned you! He is always with you (if you are a believer) Isa 41:10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ When we get hazy re-focus on these reassuring truths about our Lord.
When something happens, reach out to the one who is in control. My least fav verse at the time of my Car crash was Rom 8:28 [All things work together for good]. When we fear that all is out of control, remember how Christ rode into Jeru triumphant and in control and he is in control in your situation. And 2nd thing when you get hazy about where is God in the hard times is remember Matt 28v20 ‘I am with you always.’ [Hospital card] Ps 34v18 'God is close to the broken-hearted.' Ps 23 thro the valley of the shadow of death I am with you.'
Confusion
Thirdly, the confusion. The crowd cheered passionately along that Triumphal Entry but they are also confused. They are confused about what is going to happen. Remember there are a number of groups within the crowd. You’ve got the supporters that are going before and after Jesus – cheering and chanting Hosanna.
John 12:12 tells us that the people who were in Jerusalem cut palm branches and came out of the city to join this crowd. John 12:12 ‘The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him..’ Palm branches in this culture were like national flags.
There is the “Triumphal Entry” confusion? The crowds also include followers of Jesus and Jews who saw this as a time of nationalistic opportunity.
Jn 12:13 records the crowd chanting words of rebellion, “Blessed is the king of Israel.” Within a few days, Jesus is being tried for treason. Is Jesus the great political revolutionary many were hoping for? When they shout, “Hosanna” - “Save us now” they’re not thinking of personal salvation. They’re thinking of Israel’s national restoration, a political revolution. But Jesus chose a donkey that’s confusing. If he had entered Jeru on a 17-hand prancing stallion, he would have accumulated far more followers than he had. They detested the Romans. Jesus could have been the man to deliver them from Rome. There wouldn't have been many shouting “Crucify him! In 5 days time.” They are confused. They hope Jesus will deliver them but in John 18:36 he says, “My kingdom isn’t of this world. If my kingdom was of this world, my disciples would fight.”
We asked an awkward question at the start of our meetings which crowd are you in? The Triumphal Entry crowds help us understand that for many, this was about nationalistic fervour. Another awkward question to ask is this - Is my faith just about being religious? Enjoying the church fellowship, not so intense about calling myself a disciple of Jesus. That’s OTT. Preferring the tea and biscuits after to the 20-minute preaching of the Word. Happy to be on the brass cleaning rota to welcoming people on an Alpha course. Which crowd are you in? The Confused or the true followers of Jesus? Quite a challenge for some here today. For some in that crowd – knowing that Zech 9:9 is not words of a long-gone prophet, it dawns on them, that this Jesus is the one to know and to love and to follow. Question is. Where are you in terms of following? You probably wouldn't be here unless you were somewhere in that crowd. One of the disciples, Simon the Zealot, had been in one crowd and had been transformed by Jesus and was now a believer. Perhaps there some like him here that needs to ‘decide to follow Jesus.’
Conclusion
Lastly the Conclusion - Palm Sunday featured in all four Gospels; Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 and John 12 from which we can safely conclude – this really happened – this is history. And if Palm Sunday is historic with the crowds cheering Hosanna, so too is Good Friday historic with crowds jeering ‘crucify him.’
I believe with all my heart that Christianity stands or falls on the historicity of Easter. Cynics will agree to the historicity of Palm Sunday, and to the details of the Friday but not the Sunday after when our Lord and Saviour defeated death and opened the door to eternal life for each and every one of us – Easter Sunday – Resurrection day.
That is our faith, we believe it, he arose, he is alive, he reigns because his kingdom come has come and yet will come again in great glory. Not only do I urge to believe it, I urge you to urge others, Easter is true. All four Gospels record this true, accurate history. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday, on the Friday after he was led outside Jerusalem city walls, where they crucified him and buried him. He arose from the tomb alive forevermore on Easter Sunday and we can know him and love him today because he knows and loves you. Share with your FRANC this Easter, invite them to an Easter – attend with them.
This is history, his story and our story – this is good news.
