To The Glory of the Son
lass=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'>1) 4-5-09…AM…SBC 2)“The Glory of the Son”
Selected Gospel Scriptures
Introduction:
1- The message of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem is not only meaningful for those who were their during this time in history, but it is also exciting for how you and I of the 21st century are drawn in to this historic account
2- Throughout these passages we will encounter those who are thought to posses a deep concern for Christ, but actually do not, and how they’re actions reveal the true identity of their heart
3- We can go through the ranks and filed of Christianity even today and find these same types of people in our churches claiming to be followers of Christ, and will not give up their sin in order to become a sincere follower of Christ from the heart.
· and if it doesn’t work to find then within the church then all we need to do is look in the mirror
4- We will also see during these passages those who are confused about the message of the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. Unfortunately, we still have those in churches who are confused as to what their responsibility is as a Christian, and other who are not really confused at all about what they should do, but are rather choosing not to do it.
5- Our goal this morning is to be impressed with the uniqueness of this action of Christ as He entered into Jerusalem, for the more this arrests us the more shall we appreciate the motive which prompted Him
Let’s Begin by opening to Matthew 21:1-4
Setting the Stage for His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
A. Why a donkey?
1. First of as we look in verse 4 of this chapter we see that it had to be a donkey because prophecy told of Christ coming into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Gen 49:10-11; Zech 9:9
2. Culturally the practice was that a dignitary could procure use of property and for personal reasons. This right extended to people like rabbis. So the request is not unusual.” (The NIV Application Commentary on Luke – Darrell Bock- pg. 493)
B. A Symbol of Peace-Times
1. This was not the normal manner in which kings arrived, for they usually came as conquerors riding on horses. A colt was a symbol of peace.[1]
2. This Donkey was ridden by the Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6
3. It seems totally inappropriate that any king, much less the King of kings, should make His triumphal entry mounted on a donkey rather than a beautiful white stallion or in a regal chariot. But that is what God’s prophet predicted and that is what God’s Son did, because that was the divine plan.[2]
What causes all the Enthusiasm on Day 1 of the Passion Week of Christ.
C. The Group that was with Him in Bethany. – John 12
1. When Jesus came to Bethany there was a crowd their to see him, but not only him. It says that others came to see Lazarus who was raised from the dead.
2. Lazarus was raised from the dead not many days before the week of Passover was to begin, and many came to see Jesus and Lazarus.(John 12:9)
3. In fact the chief priest were plotting not only to kill Jesus, but also Lazarus because by this miracle many came to Christ.
John 12:10-11 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
Ø Glance up at John 11:54-57 – Jesus was no longer walking openly among the Jews
Ø When Jesus came riding into Jerusalem, this was the end of trying to hide himself anymore, because he knew the time was at hand. As he was riding on the donkey he said:
John 12:23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified
What were the people shouting as Jesus approached?
Mark 11:8-10
1- The term hosanna is literally a prayer for help, ‘save us!’ (Ps. 118:25a).[3]
2- Later it came to be used as a shout of praise (like “Hallelujah!”) and then as an enthusiastic welcome to pilgrims or to a famous Rabbi. [4]
3- The whole picture conveys celebration and honor, reminiscent of the victory parades with which triumphant kings and generals in Old Testament times were welcomed (2 Kings 9:13)[5]
· But the crowd on that day was not interested in Jesus’ saving their souls but only in His saving their nation[6]
4- In Matthew 21:10-11 it says, And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
a. The people saw him as only a prophet, they were truly confused about who Jesus really was.
Application – Do you know the Jesus you serve today? And if you do know him, do you know him intimately or superficially?
What were the Disciples thinking during this time?
1- John 12:16
2- John is stating hear that the disciples including himself did not understand the significance of what took place on the Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem until after they had seen his glory.
3- the disciples were along for the ride so to speak not really comprehending all that was taking place
What were the Pharisees thinking during this time?
1- Because His of the masses of people brought forth by the miracle of Christ raising Lazarus from the dead the Pharisees concluded by saying look world has gone after him.” – John 12:19
2- Luke 19:39-40
3- The Pharisees still wanted nothing to do with him even when they had heard, and seen the miracles that Jesus had done. Even at this time they were plotting against Jesus, but were unsure whether they were going to be able to arrest him as we see in John 12:19
4- At this time the news from Lazarus being raised from the dead had reached the city, and people went out to meet Jesus as He road in on the donkey to Jerusalem. – This is the context in which this statement was written, “Behold the whole world has gone out after him.
5-
What were the Greeks thinking during this time?
1- There were some Greeks who sought discipleship in Christ also
2- Jesus knowing the Greeks were seeking him out knew what they were looking for and knew what the whole multitude needed to hear.
3- John 12:20-32
Conclusion:
1- The week of The Passion, which was followed by the Resurrection, begins here[7] with the Triumphal entry
2- By means of it Jesus deliberately evokes a demonstration.[8]
· He fully realizes that, as a result, the enthusiasm of the masses will enrage the hostile leaders at Jerusalem, so that they will desire more than ever to carry out their plot against him.[9]
3- By means of this Triumphal Entry Jesus fulfils the Messianic prophecy of Zech. 9:9. When the people hail him as the Son of David, i.e., the Messiah, he does not try to restrain them.[10]
4- However, he also shows the crowds what kind of Messiah he is, namely, not the earthly Messiah of Israel’s dreams, the One who wages war against an earthly oppressor, but the One who came to promote and establish “the things that make for peace” (Luke 19:42), lasting peace: reconciliation between God and man, and between a man and his fellow man.[11] – this revealed the hearts of the people and the Pharisees
Application:
Ø In hailing him as the Messiah, the people were right; the Pharisees, chief priests, and scribes[12] were wrong
Ø But in expecting this Messiah to reveal himself as a political, earthly Messiah the Hosanna shouters were as wrong as were their leaders.[13]
Ø It is not surprising therefore that Luke pictures a weeping King in the midst of a shouting multitude (19:39–44), nor is it strange that, a little later, when the crowds begin to understand that Jesus is not the kind of Messiah they had expected, they, at the urging of their leaders, were shouting, “Crucify (him)!”[14]
As Jesus enters Jerusalem the entire city is stirred. Everybody who had remained behind, on seeing someone approaching surrounded by a huge crowd and riding into the city on a donkey, asks, “Who is this?”[15]
(unbeliever)
1- this is the exact question that God desire each one of us to consider still today – To you who is Jesus Christ?
A- This Triumphal Entry initiates an awesome week - a week which demonstrates the profound, unfathomable love of God, and also a week which depicts the depths of depravity of which the human soul is capable. So we must entertain the question “Who is Jesus” with reverence.[16]
1. not quickly dismissing the questions like “well, who doesn’t know who he was?”
2. and also not arrogantly dismissing the question as if we know all there is to know about Him
· Jesus is presenting Himself in this defining act to be the long awaited Messiah the Jews were waiting for
· He came to save them from their own sin – He came to call for a new birth (from sin / to Christ)
· He came to save you from you sin – He calls you to repentance and faith in Christ
· So to you who is Jesus? – before you answer, I’m afraid that your life has already answered for you
2- What about you Christian? – Who is Christ to you?
A- Is He only someone who has saved you from eternal hell and that is all he is good for to you?
B- Is He someone you are striving to look like more and more each and every day?
Illustration: Show pictures of owners and pets looking alike
· So Christian, to you who is Jesus? – again it is your life that reveals the answer to that question
· The Scripture records Christ as saying, “if you love Me, keep my commandments.”
- Will you, for the glory of the cross, allow the Bible to reveal your shortcomings? Then let’s join together to help keep each other accountable in the process of biblical change
Closing Song: Complete in Thee
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[1]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:67.
[2]John MacArthur, Matthew (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989), 260.
[3]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:156.
[4]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:156.
[5]Jeremy Stephens, Sermons of Jeremy Stephens (2009).
[6]Jeremy Stephens, Sermons of Jeremy Stephens (2009).
[7]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 758.
[8]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 760.
[9]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 760.
[10]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 760.
[11]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 760.
[12]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 760.
[13]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 760.
[14]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 760.
[15]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 761.
[16]M.S. Mills, The Life of Christ : A Study Guide to the Gospel Record, Three Volumes: 1. The Advent of Jesus 2. The Beginning of the Gospel 3. Jesus Presents Himself Ot Israel. (Dallas: 3E Ministries, 1999).