Hosanna/Crucify Him

HOSANNA/CRUCIFY HIM

MATTHEW 21: 1-11/ 27: 20-26

PALM SUNDAY MARCH 24, 2002

INTRODUCTION: WATCH THE LAMB BY RAY BOLTZ

Walking on the road to Jerusalem

The time had come to sacrifice again

My two small sons they walked beside me down the road

The reason that they came was to watch the lamb

They said, Daddy, daddy what will we see there

There’s so much that we don’t understand

So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham

And then I said dear children watch the lamb

There will be so many in Jerusalem today

We must be sure this little lamb doesn’t run away

And I told them of Moses and Father Abraham

And then I said dear children watch the lamb

When we reached the city I knew something must be wrong

There were no joyful worshippers there were no joyful worship songs

And I stood there with my children in the midst of angry men

Then I heard the crowd cry out,

Let’s crucify Him

We tried to leave the city but we could not get away

Forced to play in this drama a part I did not want to play

Why upon this day were men condemned to die

Why were we standing right here where soon they would pass by

I look and I said even now they come

The first one cried for mercy, the people gave him none

The second one was violent and he was arrogant and loud

I still can hear his angry voice screaming at the crowd

Then someone said there’s Jesus and I scarce believed my eyes

A man so badly beaten He barely looked alive

Blood poured from His body from the thorns on His brow

Running down the cross and falling to the ground

I watched Him as He struggled and I watched Him when He fell

The cross came down upon His back, the crowd began to yell

In that moment I felt such agony in that moment I felt such loss

Until a Roman soldier grabbed my arm and screamed "you carry His cross"

At first I tried to resist him but his hand reached for his sword

And so I knelt and I took the cross from the Lord

I put it on my shoulder we started down the street

The blood that He’d been shedding was running down my cheek

They led us to Golgotha they drove nails deep in His feet and hands

On the cross I heard Him pray "Father forgive them"

Never have I seen such love in any other eyes

"Into They hands I commit My spirit" He prayed and then He died

I stood for what seemed like years lost all sense of time

Then I felt these little hands holding on to mine

My children stood there weeping and I heard the oldest say

Father please forgive us the lamb ran away

Daddy, daddy what have we seen here

There’s so much that we don’t understand

So I took them in my arms we turned and faced the cross

And I said dear children Watch the Lamb

TRANSITION THOUGHT: We stand in tension today. This Sunday on the church calendar has a dual focus: the triumphal entry in to Jerusalem by Jesus and also the Passion of our Lord as he hangs, bleeds and dies on the cross. Every year I have chosen to take the route of the Cross. For to go from the “Hosanna to the Son of David” of His triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to “He is Risen” on Easter Morn seems to miss the reality of our Salvation. And yet maybe there is something to learn as we celebrate when Jesus comes to town. The strange thing is when Jesus comes to Town people go crazy. Now there are two kinds of crazy: one is a joyful, celebrative crazy and the other a hysterical frenzy crazy. One is positive and one is negative. Let’s spend a few minutes and Look at what it is like when Jesus comes to Town!

THESIS SENTENCE: When Jesus comes to town, we will respond!

I WHEN JESUS COMES TO TOWN THE RESPONSE IS OBEDIENCE vv 1-7

A. Predicted obedience vv. 1-5

1. Jesus, knowing He is coming to town, sends two disciples ahead to prepare the way. There were things He needed, the Bible told Him so.

2. Maybe the two thought, how on earth will this work out, but Jesus said, “HE WILL SEND THEM RIGHT AWAY.”

3. Did Jesus have a clear sense of what was going on? You better believe he did. He knew the Journey ahead; He had read the story.

4. Did you notice a sense of confidence?

B. Willful obedience vv. 6-7

1. “The disciples went.” Do you realize what a powerful note this is? How many times have we been called on to go, and we simple just don’t go. Do you remember the Story of Jonah? He was called to go, but he just didn’t go, much less do what he was told to do when he went.