Two weeks ago we talked about some of the most mysterious and crazy things that Jesus did . . . How He broke all the religious rules of the day in order to establish relationships with people . . . and how he clashed with all kinds of religious tradition and authority so that true love and forgiveness and grace could be shown to everyone – and especially to those outside the church . . . and then . . . Last week we talked about some of the amazing things Jesus said – We talked about some of the strongest statements of Jesus life . . . where he promised that if we would go ALL IN spiritually and LET GO of everything else . . . we would find true life – a life like no other . . .
Well – this weekend we want to walk together into the final week of Jesus life (Easter week – The Passion week) . . . a week that is unique in history . . . a week that begins . . . with great celebration – but will end with much pain and agony and defeat as Friday approaches . . . but as we’ll learn next weekend – even from death and defeat there is victory . . . Today I want to talk about what Jesus knew that was a mystery to everyone around Him…
Today is called Palm Sunday and on the church calendar this is an historic day of celebration and worship that marks Jesus entry into Jerusalem for the last time . . . Jerusalem in Jewish tradition was the Holy City – The place where all religious celebrations were held . . . Here is the story of how (what we know as) Palm Sunday that took place . . .
John 12:12-13a, Luke 19:35, Mathew 21:8-11, John 12:19
The next day the great crowd that had come for the Passover Feast (a Jewish celebration) heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him. They brought a donkey to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road (before Jesus). The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” So the Pharisees, the religious rulers of the day who were threatened by Jesus, said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
That scene is always one that sticks out in my head about Jesus last days . . . There were probably 1000’s of people caught up in this experience that ushered Him into His final week . . . They waved palm branches as a sign of His Kingship . . . and then laid down their coats for Him to walk on . . . as a sign of His greatness and their allegiance . . . and they sang praises to God because of all the great things He had done in their lives through Jesus . . . It must have been a remarkable day . . . and the bible says the whole city was stirred – in excitement and worship and celebration when Jesus came into Jerusalem . . . but I think it’s safe to say that the throngs of people didn’t fully understand why He was really there . . . and no one in that crowd of palm-branch-wavers (that were shouting their words of commitment and loyalty and love on this day) would ever believe that by Friday Jesus would be dead and they would become part of the throng of His accusers . . . It just wasn’t even a thought in their minds that the week might go like that . . . not on Palm Sunday – they just were so excited that Jesus had come to town . . . and that they got a chance to see Him and be near Him . . . They were on a spiritual high . . .
But Jesus knew something they didn’t know about this week – Jesus knew that He had come there to die and to give up His life . . .
Let me read to you what He knew – This takes place weeks before he comes to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. I read portions of this last week…
Matthew 16:21, 24-26 (NLT)
Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that he had to go to Jerusalem, and he told them what would happen to him there. He would suffer at the hands of the leaders and the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, and he would be raised on the third day.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Jesus had a very clear understanding of His purpose that nearly everybody else missed . . . and even when He explained it clearly they still didn’t get it . . .
They just refused to understand that He was not in some political campaign to be the new king of the Jews, to overthrow the Roman Government . . . and that He wasn’t in a popularity contest for Himself either – He just wanted to make sure as many people as possible could hear about God’s love and grace and healing . . . And in order to get that message out . . .
(As we said last week) Jesus knew that selfish ambition had to be given up . . .(in order to reach the purpose God had for Him) . . . and He knew that to find true life . . . He had to be willing to let go of His own life . . . . . . and Jesus knew most of all – that in order for us to find eternal life – His life had to be given . . . and so we have this incredible paradox on one hand there are crowds of 1000’s . . . cheering and chanting and wanting to crown Jesus king . . . and so they should be . . . but then there is Jesus alone - in the midst of the crowds – knowing He has come to die . . .
I. Mindset
So what’s the point? The point is that the way we think (as human beings) and the way God thinks are often completely opposites . . . . . . think about it . . . all throughout His ministry Jesus consistently taught things that went against the grain for us . . . and yet He was right every time – Listen to some of his teaching.
He said…
- Be Humble – serve others first
- Be Gentle – take time to play with children
- Don’t worry about coming in first – because position won’t do your soul a bit of good
- Be aware of pride – seldom is it a good thing . . . but instead be humble . . .
- The first will be last and the last will be first in His kingdom
- Forgive and forgive and forgive no matter how many times or what the offence – forgive . . .
- Don’t judge others . . . but instead look at your own life . . . and be humble
- Keep you relationships clear – be reconciled with everyone all the time – and lead in that . . .
- Don’t pour your life energy into things like money and possessions and power . . . but build into people . . . because they’ll last forever . . .
- And then He said – make sure your faith is real – walk your talk . . . everyday . . .
- And guard your Heart – because out of your heart . . . can come both good an evil . . .
Jesus teachings have such amazing truth in them, but isn’t it true they are so often exactly the opposite of how we think and live and how our culture says we should think and live…
Our first inclination is always to come in first . . . . . . . and serve second . . . and our first thought is to judge every time . . . and we’re not very good at keeping relationships strong . . . and we are far to often full of pride and envy . . . and most of our energy does get used to chase money and possessions and power . . . and lots of times were so tired from that chase that we don’t have the time or energy to develop our souls.
And the truth is – we need Jesus to help us become better people – we need Jesus to help us get out of the selfish ruts that we get stuck in - in life and think differently . . . . . . And I guess I just wanted you to get a picture of that today before we walk into this Easter week . . .
We are a people who need a saviour and Jesus knew that . . . He knew it before He ever went to Jerusalem that day – He knew His purpose was more than pleasing crowds or gaining political power and He knew that the way up is down . . . and that humility is the answer to success…
He just knew that in order for any of us to be able to shake the sin that pulls us down we needed a way to be forgiven and transformed . . . and He knew before He ever entered Jerusalem that day with crowds cheering . . .
He went to Jerusalem . . . he was drawn there . . .to complete His purpose, which by Friday would mean He would be whipped and beaten and nailed to a cross . . .for our sins . . . and He knew that He needed to show us a picture of true humility and give us an example of what He taught (that would last forever) . . . to SERVE other first – be humble – come in second – love unselfishly . . . to always forgive . . . and He knew that His last lesson would come to us – from the cross on the very week when His popularity was the highest it had ever been.
See folks, His mindset was just completely different then ours would have been . . . and for Him the only way up meant going down . . . and success only meant completing the task that God had given him, no matter what the circumstances.
II. COURAGE
This is another thing Jesus understood or knew that we often don’t understand . . that is that faith and courage are inseparably linked . . . and I’m not talking about courage that is a momentary (like saving someone from a fire) kind of courage . . . that kind of courage is great but its only on one level . . . the immediate . . . the courage Jesus displayed by riding into Jerusalem on this day – knowing He would die there, that kind of courage, empowered Him to live a life worthy of being emulate . . . which is a whole different level. And that kind of courage was a courage that affected every decision of every day of His life . . . and especially during His final week . . . This type of courage is the pit bull part of character that grips onto what is right and true and refuses to let go . . . It is the type of courage that is morally tenacious every day
Now folks – I have to be honest – one of the less glamorous and often least exciting things Jesus calls us to as His followers is simply having the courage to do what we know is right. . . having the courage to submit our lives to truth on a daily basis and understanding that - that is success that that is where true life lives . . . To live a life of faith (Jesus said) is to be rooted in and defined by what is true . . . and on this day as all those palm branches were waving and all the crowds were cheering . . . Jesus knew that His success on this day didn’t have to do with popular opinion or how many 1000’s of people followed Him . . . He knew His success depended first and foremost on the trueness of His moral compass and the courage it took to not deviate to the left or right (regardless of circumstance) . . . And folks, don’t underestimate the pressure on Jesus . . . I’m sure He had voices inside His head screaming to Him “Don’t go to Jerusalem – stay with the crowds – they love you – why give away your life” . . . but Jesus held courageously to the course – He did not deviate in the face of fear – He didn’t turn right or left to the sounds of popularity . . . but He went straight forward – pulled like a magnet to a true north moral position . . . with His life course . . . and that folks is courageous and amazing . . . . . See . . . people, this life of faith is also a life of courage . . .but it ‘s a new kind of courage – it’s no flash in the pan superhero courage. It’s a courage that says I will do the right things on a regular basis . . . over the long haul . . .
- I will treat people well – even if it means I come in second
- I will not doctor the books even it if it means less $
- I will be faithful in my marriage even if I’m not getting exactly what I need at this point
People, to engage your faith (on every front) every day . . . takes tonnes of courage . . . and to do the right things consistently is not simple . . . but Jesus would say – it must be done . . . What was His line? “If you give up your life for me – you will find true life . . .” Folks real life . . . a true life of faith is a life that lives with courage every day . . . courage to do what we know is right and true . . .
III. OBEDIENCE
One more quick thought – courage is nice and good and it’s actually a lot of fun to talk about – who isn’t into courage – courage is the stuff heroes are made from . . . but the word that Jesus lived out is also the word that empowers courage and that word is obedience (they are tied together) - As Jesus rode into Jerusalem that day . . . it took tonnes of courage . . . (of that there is no doubt) but what fuelled that courage was obedience . . .
See, Jesus knew what God wanted Him to do He knew that His physical death would mean spiritual life for millions of people – But courage just wasn’t enough to keep Jesus walking that day – it was obedience to the truth of God’s call that propelled Jesus forward into this Easter week – (It was in the truth of what God commanded Jesus to do that allowed Him to have the courage to accomplish His task . . . )
See folks, often we point to not what is right – or not what God’s will is for our lives . . . . . . as the reason we are paralysed from doing what He wants us to do . . . when the truth of the matter is . . .
“The problem is not that we don’t know what to do, but that we don’t do what we know . . .” Erwin McManus Hear this part . . . “but that we don’t do what we know . . .”
Jesus knew what God had asked Him to do – and He was commanded to do it! Moral courage turned into obedience.
People – the key to the future of our lives is not revelation; some word from God, but obedience . . .Catch This! . . . When we submit our lives to what God as already made known . . . the future becomes clearer to us . . .See, the key to success in this life of faith does not necessarily lie in more teaching. . . but it’s in more application – spiritual knowledge without action is useless . . . and when we know what is right to do and then we don’t do that – our spiritual life withers. And on the flip side - Catch this! - the speed at which our obedience kicks into action directly affects the speed at which the future unfolds . . . so here’s a tip . . . If you want to know God’s plan for your life and if you want to fulfill the dreams He has for you – start by being obedient with the things He’s already given you do the right thing with the stuff you already know today.
God calls us to not only hold onto that which is good and right and true in our minds . . . but to pursue it with passion and action in our lives. We are to obey His calling on our lives with urgency and purpose . . .
Folks, Jesus responsibility was to unleash God’s purpose in human history one step at a time as He walked into Jerusalem on this day . . .
And I can imagine that there have been more than a few times when God has passionately called us to step up the pace of our obedience . . . And one of the things that help us navigate and move faster in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty . . . is to act on what we know spiritually and morally . . .
Even if you’re only certain about a few things – but you know they are true – live by those without wavering. Put action and obedience together in your faith walk and you’ll be amazed at what God accomplishes through your life . . .
Folks, Palm Sunday’s purpose is to help us enter into the Passion Week with Jesus with a sense of awareness and alertness spiritually. We began today with a great celebration and worship . . . my hope is that you have also been challenged in your levels of daily courage and obedience. But ultimately, today is a day to prepare us spiritually for the week ahead . . . and to help us prepare for entering into the crucifixion of Christ . . . so that we might understand His suffering . . . and allow His pain to somehow enter our souls . . .
Our time together on Good Friday will be spent in quiet . . . it will be a unique experience as will be guided through the stations of the cross . . so come on Friday prepared to meet with Jesus in a very personal and meaningful way (Friday anytime between 11am and 2pm) . . . and come on Easter Sunday as we celebrate the victory of the resurrection (no Saturday night service – only Sunday morning services)
Folks, I’m calling you to engage your spirits this week in the passion of Jesus Christ . . . and today we wanted to end with a song that we hope will point us to the purpose behind the cross and will help all of us understand why Jesus walked so boldly forward into this week . . . to give His life . . . use these moments to let God move you. |
