Palm Sunday Truths
Matthew 21.1-11
This is such a meaningful and emotional passage of scripture to believers. It was also a passage in Jesus' Life.
It was Passover Week in Jerusalem (as it is this week). When the temple was standing Jerusalem would swell with pilgrims from all over the world who had come to celebrate this feast in the Holy City. In the Jewish mind the Passover meant the end of wandering. The Book of Revelation speaks in chapter 21 of the New Jerusalem, which is the Eternal City of God. That is our home.
Jerusalem became a place of rest. David captured it from the Jebusites and made it Israel's capital. It became a place of rest. The LORD permitted on the Mount Moriah, a permanent place to be built for worshipping Him under the Old Covenant. In 1982 the Knesset proclaimed Jerusalem to be the eternal capital of Israel. Much of what we see going on in the tensions in the Middle East revolve around that 600 acre parcel of land called the Temple Mount. As one person described it, "It is the most volatile piece of property on earth." One can feel the tension in approaching it and more so on it.
On this particular Passover in 32 A.D. there were high hopes for a Messiah- an anointed political deliverer- One who would bring peace to Jerusalem. This was the sentiment of the crowds. Back then there were deals that were struck between the religious leaders of the Jews and the occupying forces of Rome. Basically the religious leaders kept the people under control and Rome permitted them to keep their temple.
For three and half years Jesus had ministered throughout Galilee and the surrounding country. He had been to Jerusalem enough (even as a boy) that those who lived there knew Who He was and what He was about (or so they thought).
So on the day, after the last Sabbath before this Passover, as multitudes were thronging to Jerusalem, Jesus permitted for the first time publicly the proclamation by the crowds that He was the promised Messiah. He did this knowing that in a few days this would precipitate into His death- which was all part of God's plan.
That is the history behind this passage we read. What does this Living Word say to us today? We see the love of God here, Jesus came to Jerusalem to die for the sins of the whole world. We see the surrender to the will of the Father in Heaven. We see hope because He knew the cross would not be His final work but the beginning of people coming into His kingdom.
What are some of the truths here in this first Palm Sunday?
1. The Certainty of God's Word.
Someone asked the question last night on Facebook, "Why do people promise they are going to do something and then not do it? Why don't they just not promise?" Why indeed! My thoughts went to this point in the message.
Peter in writing his second letter refers to "the prophecy of scripture"
(II Peter 1.20) He is referring to the prediction of events relating to Christ's Kingdom and to its triumph.
There was an Old Testament prediction which is referred to verse 4&5 given by the LORD to Zechariah, which is what happened on that first Palm Sunday and which we celebrate today.
Many promises of the LORD in His Word have this futuristic element... a result of hope. Here are a few:
* those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles- they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40.31 Now: wait, Then: Your strength is renewed.
* Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and will direct your paths. Proverbs 3.5-6
Now: Trust, then: He will direct you. Too often we are getting the cart before the horse- we are looking for direction while we are faltering in trusting in Him.
* Don't be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4.6-7) Now: pray, then: peace, Far too often I find myself dwelling on the petition and not enough or at all on the Thanksgiving (for past answers!) Fulfill your part and God will do what He says on His promises.
In Mark 14.49 Jesus said, "The scriptures must be fulfilled." What a powerful Word we have in God's Word. All the scriptures will be fulfilled- the prophecies concerning the Christ and the promises concerning us as His people!
Secondly this morning we see this truth in this Palm Sunday passage:
2. His Disciples Do What He Tells Them. v.6
That is what a disciple is- one who has obedience, faith and trust in His Word.
What is in His Word. Why we study it and seek to understand it- so we can put it into practice. Matthew 7.24-27
What His Spirit prompts us to do. Those inner nudgings, those encouragements, those words of strength to others.
3. Wherever Jesus Walks In, the Whole Place is Stirred. v.10
Stirred = sio- to rock, vibrate sideways and to and fro, to agitate, to tremble, throw into a tremor
Gospel Annie on the bus
We need Him:
In the world
In our country
On Long Island- neighborhoods - in Brentwood, in Bay Shore
Share the Lamb- Passover Tradition
In His Church
In Our Homes
In Our Lives
Holy Week has always been a special week here. Different things happening. Holy Week is a week of Hope and Expectation. As we walk with Jesus through this week, expect wonderful things to happen!
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