A Common Colt for an Uncommon King
Text: Zechariah 9:9-10, Mark 11:1-10 Palm Sunday
Intro:
Have you ever paid close attention to how automakers test the safety of their cars? They use dummies – crash dummies that is. These automakers that test their vehicles use dummies to simulate what happens to human beings like us during an automobile accident. They put these dummies through a battery of tests that determine what injuries a real person would suffer in various situations. And I am sure that many of you have seen the old commercials that use to run on televisions years ago with these dummies. At the conclusion of some of the commercials in which these dummies are the star, the phrase that we have all heard is: “You can learn a lot from a dummy.”
Not only can we learn a lot from a dummy….but I propose this morning that we can also learn a lot from a simple colt.
So often, when we enter the Palm Sunday Service….we began to focus on what happened that first palm Sunday with Jesus. We begin to talk about the crowded streets, the atmosphere, electricity and excitement that was taken place. We talk about how that were shouting Hosanna and aired was filled with what seemed like “love and admiration” for Jesus at this time. But can I remind you that Friday was coming. Friday was just a few days away. It would be on Friday that the cheers for Jesus would turn to jeers for Jesus. The crowd would go from shouting “Hosanna” to screams of “Crucify Him!” So much would change within a week.
But today, I do not wish to focus on those things……But rather, I want to focus on a small donkey…..on a colt that Jesus was riding when he arrived in Jerusalem. In the account of the Triumphant Entry, this little colt is a key element that we often overlook. And like I mentioned earlier, I believe if we look closely…….there are some things that we can learn from this colt.
We have read the Prophesy of the entry in the book of Zechariah…..now let’s look the actual account in the gospel of Mark. Will you turn over to Mark 11:1-10 and read along with me this morning:
If you have ever been around a donkey………you will notice that they can be some of the most stubborn animals alive. And this would make most question as to why God would choose this animal for Jesus to make his entry into the city upon? Jesus’ arrival on a lowly donkey might seem almost as strange to us today as it did to the crowds who witnessed it. But can I also add……that God always knows what He is doing…….He always has a plan…….and his plan was set in motion and prophesied long before Jesus was even born in the manger. Prophesy was taking place as Jesus rode that young colt into the city….but most importantly, humility was being shown.
Here was the crowd……shouting Hosanna…which literally means “save us”. And why Jesus would in just a few days be sent to Calvary to provide for our means of salvation…….this was not the salvation that the crowds was looking for that day. They may have called Jesus the king of the Jews in mockery, but can I also add that the crowd was looking for a king to lead them out from under Roman oppression. They were looking for a leader…a real king. And the real kings of the day would have never rode a lowly little colt like this……..a real king would have rode in on a large stallion. He would have rode into town on his war horse we could say. But Jesus was not there to fight…..He had come to town to die. Hosanna truly applied…..but not in the context that this crowd was seeking. This time Jesus came on a lowly donkey. He came to be a Savior. But one day Jesus will return, and this time, it will not be on a lowly colt……When He returns again, He will be riding that Horse that Kings ride…..and we will be with Him by his side.
Revelation 19:11-16
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[a] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[b] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[c] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
One day, our King…….He will ride that White Horse. He will conquer the leaders of this world. He will reign supreme upon this earth for a thousand years and we will reign standing alongside of the King of all Kings.
But until that day arrives……I believe that there are four lessons that we can learn from this common colt!
First of all
I. Like the Colt, you are needed – vs. 2-3
Now this though may sound a little strange because we know that God is God……and technically He needs nothing. But we need to understand that in Gods complete omnipotence…..He chooses to use people like us………people with so many problems and so many inferior defect…..to carry the good news of Jesus around the world. So understand that:
A. We are needed because He has chosen to use each of us
Jesus did not technically need that colt that day to carry Him to town……But He chose to use that colt that day. Likewise, God technically does not need us….but we are chosen as His people to carry His light to a dark world.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Every Child of God is unique. Each one has special talents and abilities. And even though God does not need us……He allows us to serve Him through the gifts that He grants to us.
Notice the teachings of Peter:
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
B. He has also chosen us to worship Him –
If I were to ask you why you are here today…..how would you answer? Would you say because I am suppose to be here? Would you say, I had to teach Sunday school or work with the children? Would you say I wanted to hear from God?
All of these are good answers……all of the answers are important……But these are the wrong primary reasons to attend church. Our first response should be that I am here to worship Him!
Hebrews 13:15
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
So how do we worship God? Well according to the scriptures we are to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Worshipping God in spirit means that it must be done from the heart. Worshipping God in truth means that it must be done according as God has specified in the Bible. Worshipping God in spirit and in truth is a serious matter which must not be taken lightly. If we have any regard for our own souls, we will want to make sure we are worshipping God in spirit and in truth. Worship should cause us to reflect on the majesty and graciousness of God and Christ, contrasted to our own unworthiness. God does not have to have our worship, but we must worship Him to please Him. Our singing, praying, studying His word, giving, and communion are designed by God to bring us closer to Him and to cause us to think more like He thinks, thus becoming more like Him.
James 4:8 tells us to, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
So like the colt, you are needed
I
II. Like the colt, you are to carry Jesus – vs. 7
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem that day, it was during a time of feast and festivals. This colt literally carried Jesus to the multitudes that day.
There is an application that is here for us as His children. Just as the colt carried Jesus to the multitude then, our job is to carry Jesus to the multitude today. This was his final command to us here on earth:
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:15
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
I would like for you to think about this for just a second: How did you hear about Jesus? NOW….allow me to answer that question for you…….Someone carried the Gospel to you.
This world is full of people who know of Jesus…..But they do not really know who Jesus is! Our job is to carry Jesus to them…to carry the gospel to them…to carry the good news to them….to carry the message of hope that can only be found in Jesus. Our job is to carry Jesus..to lift him up high so the whole world can see……and to let them know, he is the King of Kings….but He wants to be their Savior!
Are we carrying Jesus with us every moment of every day……….or do we just carry him occasionally?
III. Like the colt, you are to be under His control – vs.2,7
How many of you have ever rode an animal that has never been rode? The nature of any horse, mule or donkey is not to allow anything on its back. In order to ride this animal it has to be broken. This colt was “unbroken”, but can I tell you that he was “broken” by Jesus.
One of the biggest problems that most of us face…..is the fact that we are unbroken! How often I have heard it said, “No one is going to tell me what I am going to do!”
I have even seen folks get mad at me for telling them what God’s word has to say. I will usually hear comments like this:, “I don’t know who that preacher thinks he is….but he needs to stay out of my business and quit telling me how I should live!”. First of all, let me say that the person who is “in your business” is not the preacher……but it is the Holy Spirit. And as far as telling you how to live…….I am only telling you what God’s word says. God is telling you how to live.
The reason that you fight with the Lord and you get mad at the preacher is simply due to the fact that you are unbroken. In order to be what Christ wants you to be….in order to be happy and find the joy and contentment that comes with serving Jesus……each of us have to come to a time where we are broken and we are under His control.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Jesus wants to break us and He wants to have full control of our lives. The questions is, how long are you going to have to be rode, in order to be broken and give in to His desire for your life.
IV. Like the colt, you are to be forgotten as Christ is worshipped – vs. 8-10
As Jesus rode into town, all the focus was on Him…….All the attention was on Him…..all of the praise was going to Him. No one was noticing the lowly donkey that he was riding on. No one was thinking about the act of service that he was giving to the true king. And it could be said that the further He rode into Jerusalem that day, the more likely that the people forgot this colt.
Can I say that this is the way it should be for all of us as well! Church is not about who the pastor is…or who the deacons are…or who the music minister or the Sunday school teachers are………Church should be about Christ…..and Christ alone.
So often, we think we are somebody if we get a title in the church. I have met pastor who thought they were somebody. They say, look at me, I have a PH.D. This church would fall to pieces if I were not here.
I have met deacons…who say look at me, I am somebody and this church could not exist without me! Praise God that we have some good deacons here at West Shiloh.
I have met some of members who say…Look at me. I am somebody and the church would collapse without my money.
Can I tell you something about God’s church? He does not need me or any other preacher. He does not need deacons, committees or board members. He does not even need your money. But he chooses to use us, our talents and our resources and in these things….this is how we worship him. And if He is going to be worship correctly, we have to come to a place where we say exactly what John the Baptist said in John 3:30 – “He must INCREASE, but I must decrease”.'
Church is not about us……It is about Jesus!
Church is not about our praise….it is about HIM being praised! It is about Him being exalted! It is about Him being thanked for His blessing upon us.
Closing:
You want to learn how to worship Jesus properly?
I. Learn that you are needed. That you are important to God. After all, He died for you
II. Learn how to carry Jesus – Tell others about Him – Invite them to church with you
III. Learn you are to be under His control – You will never find the peace you seek until you quit trying to buck Jesus every step of the way
IV. Learn that being forgotten is His service is not a bad thing. It is not about us…It is ALL about him!
You see…..there are some things that we can learn from a colt!
So what about you this morning………Who is in control of your life?
Maybe , God is speaking to you and he has been trying to break you….Will you give in to him today? Maybe, you have been telling yourself that you are a nobody…..yet God says you are important…You are needed and he wants to use you. Why not talk with him and let His love pour out on you today.
Maybe He is wanting you to be a more effective witness, and you are scared to speak up. Why not ask him to help you carry His message
Maybe He is speaking to you about humility…perhaps it is time to bow before him
Perhaps he has been speaking to you about your need for salvation…….What is stopping you from allowing Him to be your king? Jesus Loves You…He died for you and He is just waiting for you to ask Him to be your Lord. Quit worrying about the crowd and just be like this little colt…just take one step with the savior and everything will be all right.
Jesus used a common colt to do his will……..and he still uses common folks like you and me every day. We just need to be willing to be used and to respond. Will you respond to His call? The choice is up to you.
