Chris Garner preached on this topic yesterday at LifeWorks. Unfortunately I did not have enough time yesterday to write about it. I was sad that I couldn't, but I get to today!
The story of Palm Sunday is in Matthew 21.
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at one you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." This took place to fulfill what was spoken though the prophet:
"Say to Daughter Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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 heaven!"
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." ( Matthew 21:1:11 )
At the beginning of the story, Jesus is entering the city at Passover. The people's response really says it all.
At the time, Jesus was so popular. Everyone wanted to listen to him preach and learn as much as they could from him. It was written that 3,000 - 5,000 people would find Jesus on the country side just to find out more about Jesus. How crazy is that? That is basically everybody from my small town back home. I can't imagine that many people gathering on the country side to listen to Jesus preach.
On Palm Sunday, everything was different. Jesus decided to make an appearance on a donkey. He usually liked to be pretty low-key and not draw a lot of attention to himself. Jesus rode a donkey to make sure that people understood that He was bringing peace. He was coming to deliver the people out of slavery, impoverishment, discontent, etc. (Much like our world today)
This was a very bold move by Jesus.
Remember...walls surrounded the city of Jerusalem and there were usually roughly 40,000 people inside of those walls. During this passover it was said to be more than 250,000 people were jammed packed inside of those city walls.
As Jesus entered, the people were shouting: "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest heaven."
Hosanna was a term that was used to praise Christ.
As Jesus was entering, the whole city stirred and asked "who is this?"
Now picture this, whenever Jesus usually entered cities he would enter the temple first. Our bodies are the temple for the Holy Spirit. When he entered Jerusalem he entered through all of the people. I hope that you can wrap your head around that.
Jesus came into Jerusalem bringing peace. That is what he wants to do in your life. Jesus knew that the people of Jerusalem suffered and they needed a savior and they needed peace so he entered.
Jesus knows that we are broken, we sin, and we have a longing for more in our life. It says in Ecclesiastes that eternity is placed in our hearts. God knows! He knows that we are waiting for him to enter into us just like Jesus entered into Jerusalem.
People in this world are desperate to find all sorts of wats to make themselves feel better. People try to fill themselves with things of this world that they think will fulfill them.
Before the EXTERNAL THINGS in my LIFE will Truly Change - the INTERNAL WAY I face them must change first. Truly, it is my heart that must change.
The peace that we all want, comes when we let go.
Philippians 4 MSG says this:
My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel so much joy, fill me with such pride. Don't waver. Stay on track, steady for God.
Celebrate God all day, every man. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and mediating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work tougher, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
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I don't know if you ever read any scripture from the Message version but I would recommend it. It's a super unique and different way to read your bible.
I hope that you were encouraged by this post. It was really cool to hear the sermon by Chris yesterday at church.
Remember that Jesus is the king of your heart that brings peace.
Let him in, and let go of all the things that are holding you back.
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