Sermon Tone Analysis

If we look at the Passover, the Old Testament outlines the feast that celebrates and remembers God’s release of Israel from Egypt.

Joseph was given power in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his brothers.

Eventually, he would save Israel from starvation as they stayed as guests in Egypt.

Over time, the Egyptians realized the Israelites had grown in size and could overthrow them if they desired, so the Israelites were taken into slavery.

During this time, they were given grueling tasks, worked harder and harder, suffering along the way.

They cried out to God for deliverance - and He raised up Moses.

10 plagues is what it took to convince Pharaoh to release them.

The last plague, though, was the life of the first-born - human and animals - in Egypt.

God had given a way out for His people - the blood of a perfect lamb would take the place of the first-born in the family.

Placed over the door posts, the angel of death would “pass over” the homes marked by the lamb’s blood.

Specific instructions are given to celebrate the Passover.

The lamb was inspected for 4 days and then if it met the criteria – no blemishes – it was slain on the 14th day of Nisan – the first day of Passover.

JESUS rode into Jerusalem on the 10th of Nisan – on Lamb Selection Day! HE rode into His family – to be scrutinized by them for 4 days.

Triumphant Entry

All four gospels outline this last major public appearance of Christ before His trial and crucifixion.

There are some estimates that upwards of 2 million people would be in and around Jerusalem during the time of Passover.

Up until this time, Jesus usually told people to not tell who He was or what He had done.

This time would be different.

He would plan out the entry into Jerusalem, and it would come with great fanfare.

Why the change in the way Christ would have normally acted?

The change came as a result of prophecy being fulfilled!

He told two disciples to go into the city (Bethphage), find a donkey and her colt and bring them back; along with instructions to tell anyone that asked “The Lord needs them”.

Mark 11:2 tells us the colt had never been ridden.

Yet, the colt offered no resistance.

Now anyone that has been around an unbroken animal knows they are wild, bucking, and disobedient until broken, trained in the way of their master.

Yet this colt was already being ridden by The Master.

The colt was already under dominion of the Master.

The second reason He entered Jerusalem with fanfare was it forced the Jewish leaders hand.

They saw the reaction of the crowd and knew they had to kill Jesus.

We know prophecy tells us that the lamb had to be offered as a sacrifice.

When Jesus entered, notice the fanfare He received.

They spread their coats out on the roads, along with branches, and were shouting “Hosanna” meaning “Save now!” - an exclamation of adoration.

In liturgical use, which, accompanied by the waving of branches at Tabernacles, then becomes a shout of jubilation in the solemn procession around the altar of burnt offering, and which echoes the messianic hope.

The people had heard all Jesus had done.

They wanted to see all he was about.

And their praise echoed the Psalmist.

They did not recognize His true identity as King, as the only one who could save them.

Unfortunately they were just looking for someone to perform a miracle, not coming to know the miracle-maker Himself.

Plotting While Preparing

As time drew nearer to the crucifixion, Jesus was preparing to suffer and die.

As He was preparing, and preparing the disciples, the Jewish leadership was plotting His death.

But notice what they decided…they would not do this during the feast, fearing there would be an uproar.

Looking at the other gospels, this must be an afterthought of things that took place earlier in the week while still in Bethany (six days before Passover) at the home of Simon the leper.

During that time, a woman (identified as Mary in John) anointed Jesus with a Roman pound (11.5 oz) of costly nard (almost a years wages for the common worker), showing her love and adoration, but also foretelling of what was to come.

Unfortunately we see the disciples and especially Judas being displeased, seeing it as a waste!

“this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”

However, we should not forget Judas was the treasurer, and tended to dip into the treasury.

John 12:6

Jesus quietens their grumbling with His words.

You will have the poor with you forever, but I won’t be around much longer.

He reminds them the anointing was done to prepare Him for burial.

At this time, Judas went to the chief priests and sold his and Jesus soul for 30 pieces of silver.

Not only did Judas commit an atrocity, he did fulfil prophecy.

Passover

The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread would have been the day the Passover meal was eaten.

Peter and John were sent into town to pick up supplies for the Feast and place it in an upper room that “a certain man” will have ready.

Again, Christ told them to tell him ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand.

I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’

Whether earlier arrangements had been made or divine intervention had taken place does not matter.

Jesus had to protect His venue unless Judas learn of the place and let the chief priests and elders know where Jesus was going to be.

Why the secrecy?

The time was not yet at hand.

We see the picture of Christ reclining at the table with the disciples.

While with the 12 He makes the announcement “One of you will betray me”.

All the disciples were concerned asking “Is it me?” not knowing which one could be guilty.

Judas asked the Lord Himself “Is it I, Rabbi?”.

Could you imagine being called out in front of all, but more importantly knowing Christ had just announced the betrayal.

Notice Jesus did not name Judas by name, but did answer Judas question.

“You have said so”.

Judas immediately left.

Jesus went on to institute the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

He took two elements from the Passover feast, the unleavened bread and the cup, and He used these to picture His own death.

The broken bread pictured His body given for the sins of the world.

The “fruit of the vine” pictured His blood, shed for the remission of sins.

The text does not indicate that anything special or mysterious happened to these two elements.

They remained bread and the “fruit of the vine” but they now conveyed a deeper meaning: the body and the blood of Jesus Christ.

Closing

The Lord’s Supper reminds us to look ahead for Christ’s return.

We will observe this supper until He comes.

The Passover pointed ahead to the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.

The Lord’s Supper announces that this great work has been accomplished.