Sermon Central
-
The Road To Victory Series
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Apr 7, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: A sermon examining the events surrounding Jesus' Triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
The Road To Victory
Today is "Palm Sunday", this is a day where we commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. 7 days before our Lord was crucified, He presented Himself to Israel as the "promised Messiah & King". This was a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. But the majority of people who witnessed this event did not understand its significance. However, many who were present worshipped and praised Jesus' name. Matthew tells us that a multitude of people “went before and cried out, saying: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ " ...Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:9)
Oh how quickly things change! Within a few short days the people who should have welcomed their King rejected Him! Some of the same people who cried Hosanna, on Sunday would cry crucify Him, before the week was over! On Sunday Jesus was being worshipped, and on Friday He was hanging on a cruel cross.
After the horrific events of the crucifixion, Jesus would bow His head and die. They would place His body in a borrowed tomb. And on the next Sunday Jesus would rise from the grave in great power and victory. Because of His victory, we have the opportunity to be victorious as well!
Jesus had walked the earth for some 33 years, He had fulfilled many prophecies, He had preached with great power and authority, He had worked many miracles, and He had changed countless lives. Now the time had come for Him to accomplish God's plan of redemption.
The events of passion week began on a dusty road just outside of Jerusalem. That road would lead to pain, sorrow, anguish and death, but it would end in victory. Today I want to examine the events of Christ's triumphal entry and consider this thought... “The Road To Victory”
This word “Triumphal” means to celebrate a victory
Last season after the Astros won the World Series, there was a parade and a celebration on the streets of Houston. After Alabama won the NCAA National Championship in January, there was a parade and a celebration on the streets of Tuscaloosa. After the Super Bowl last month there was a parade and a celebration for the Eagles in Philadelphia. Sports teams and their fans go all out when celebrating a great victory.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem a great celebration took place. The Savior would soon be victorious over death and Hell. At Calvary, Jesus was victorious in securing our redemption!
- As we travel this "Road To Victory" there are 5 facts that I would like to consider. The first truth that I would like to examine is:
I. THE PROPHECY ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY - v29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
It may not seem very important to you that Jesus borrowed a donkey and rode it into the city. But my friend this is a very significant part of this story. This was a direct fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. - Zechariah 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
God's prophet Zechariah spoke these words in 520 BC. Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians 66 years earlier. In Zechariah’s day, Jerusalem was still in ruins and the process of rebuilding had just begun. But Zechariah spoke of a day when the Messiah would come and Jerusalem will be filled with His glory.
Many people rejected Jesus from the very beginning. John 1:11 tells us that "He came unto His own and His own received Him not".
Many of the people who would turn on Jesus in the following days came to a place where they did not believe that He was the Promised One. But Jesus would fulfill many prophecies during passion week. One of them being the fact that He rode into the city on a donkey. Each and every prophecy that He fulfilled proves that He was exactly who He said He was!
