Easter, Part 2
Luke 19:28-44
Introduction
- This morning we continue our 5 week mini-series on the Easter season
-- The Easter story is not just about Easter morning, but a culmination of events
-- Each event marches us closer to the promise, that death of a Savior; Christ
- It is in this study that I pray we would respond to the calling of Christ
- As we look to the Savior for a glorious HOPE of resurrection; we have trials
-- It is in these trials and life issues that we can gain strength from Him
- CONSIDER: It is a warm, sunny day in Jerusalem. The crowds are swelling due to the upcoming Passover Celebration; and you and your family are visiting this holy city for your annual pilgrimage and to ask God’s blessings on your family for the coming year. When suddenly, word spreads that the Messiah is coming and without hesitation you rush to just try to get a glimpse of Him.
- Stand and read Luke 19:28-44 / Pray
Point 1 – The Disciples Praise Him (28-40)
- The first thing Jesus did was ask the disciples to go and bring him a colt to ride
- Why? Was He tired? Was he weary? Did he want to make an entrance?
- Actually, He was fulfilling scripture written about him years earlier by Zechariah
- Zec 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
- We see the Disciples untying the colt in obedience, without even asking
-- The only question asked is “What are you doing?” Imagine being the owner …
-- Well, what they are doing is committing grand theft; punishable by death
-- But, after their answer that the Lord needs it, that’s it – all is well
- What can we learn from this? When it is for the Lord, He provides the way
- For you and me today, this is an extremely important idea to grab hold of
- When God is moving in it, we are simply to follow His leading and obey
- It is not a matter of debating it, or anything else, just following Him
- When the Lord speaks to you in a matter of obedience, we must follow
-- There isn’t any room for us to think about this one, esp when God is directing
-- This is where you and I have to be sure we are in sync with the Holy Spirit
-- If the Spirit is leading, then the Lord will be preparing the way for us
- But notice, once they bring Him the colt, he begins to ride it, and they praise
- “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord”
-- Their praises ring high and true, but why? Because they MUST!
- However, do you see the response by the Pharisees to this scene?
-- Teacher (rabbi), rebuke your disciples (rem last week Judas called Jesus rabbi)
- His answer is perfect, “if they keep quiet, the rocks and stones will cry out”
- He approached the city to fulfill what God had ordained, and the Spirit praised
- TRANS: Remember, I asked you to consider your family running to see this
- Go John 12, Read verses 12-17
Point 2 –The Crowd Responds (12-17)
- The only word that the crowd could utter was Hosanna, or “save us”
-- In their Spirit, they knew that their salvation depended on Jesus, as does ours
- “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”
-- Jesus came to fulfill all that was written, and was sent by His Father for all
- Can you picture this scene for just a moment in your mind?
- Imagine the glory, the splendor, the majesty of the King of Kings riding in
- But we see clearly in v16 that the disciples did not understand this fully
-- They knew it once He had risen, but not before
- Today however, you and I can see this in its full text and grasp it now
- We must be willing to cry out Hosanna; for He is the only thing that we need
-- Or else, we will have rocks and trees praise in our place; HEAVEN FORBID
- This same crowd that was at the tomb when He raised Lazarus was here
- This same crowd continued to swell and now you and your family are caught in it
- And I ask you this morning … What is your response?
- Are you willing to lay it all down; your pride and needs; to worship at His feet?
- It is the only thing that you and I can do in response to who He is
- When we get on our knees, it puts us in perfect submission to who Jesus is
- If we bow down before a holy and righteous God, we are submitting to Him
- As this crowd cried out Hosanna though, many were conspiring against Him
- Perhaps even from v19 we can see clearly the frustration of the Pharisees
- Well, how is your frustration level this morning?
- Do you hear the Gospel preached and want to rage against it?
- Or, does the sound of the Holy Spirit in your ears bring you to want to praise?
- TRANS: It really comes down to a critical decision that we each have to make
Conclusion
- Who do you bow down before Him and what is your response when you do?
- Or … Will you be like this crowd who cries out “Hosanna”?
-- Will you be like the one who cries “Crucify Him” in just a few short days?
- Invite singers
- Today, you have a choice that you must make
- Will you repent of your sins and flee to Christ; or will you be a Pharisee plotting against the King of Kings?
- Every eye closed/ every head bowed; are we prepared to bow down before Him
- Do we live each day renewed because of what Jesus has done …
- Or, do we spend our time focused on who we are because it just feels good …
- I tell you this because I love you, you must repent and accept Jesus Christ today
- Pray
-- Salvation, Repentance, Mercy
