This sermon explores Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, the crowd's response, and His ultimate victory, encouraging us to live in awe and adoration of God's grace.
Good morning, beloved family of God. It is a joy to be with you today, to gather in this sacred space where we are bound together by the divine threads of faith, hope, and love. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. We are here, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the grand narrative of God's grace.
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the eleventh chapter of Mark's Gospel. A chapter that invites us to walk alongside our Savior, to feel the dust beneath our feet, to hear the jubilant shouts of the crowd, and to witness the ultimate victory of our Lord. But before we do, let's pause and reflect on these wise words from the great theologian, J.I. Packer. He once wrote, "The life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration." It is from this soil of awed adoration that we approach the Word of God today. Mark 11:1-11 reads:
"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’' They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, ‘What are you doing, untying that colt?’ They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!' Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve."
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word. As we reflect on this passage today, may our hearts be fertile ground for Your truth. Open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to understand the depth of Your love and the victory of Your Son. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
In the heart of this passage, we find our Savior making His way towards the city of Jerusalem. This wasn't a casual stroll or a random detour. This was a purposeful stride towards the city that was at the center of Jewish life and worship. It was here, in Jerusalem, where the temple stood as a symbol of God's presence among His people. It was here, in Jerusalem, where the annual Passover feast was celebrated, a feast that commemorated God's deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt. And it was here, in Jerusalem, where Jesus was headed, knowing full well what awaited Him there.
As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the intentional nature of Jesus' actions. Jesus wasn't led astray by circumstance or swept along by the tide of events. No, He was moving with purpose and determination. He was walking towards His destiny, towards the cross. This wasn't a journey marked by fear or hesitation, but by courage and resolve. This wasn't a journey marked by uncertainty or doubt, but by faith and obedience.
In this context, we see the first significant aspect of this passage - the divine purpose behind Jesus' actions. He was not a passive participant in the events that unfolded, but an active agent in fulfilling God's plan of salvation. His journey to Jerusalem was not a detour, but a destination. It was not an interruption, but an intention.
Next is the prophetic fulfillment in Jesus' actions. As He rode into Jerusalem on a colt, He was fulfilling a prophecy made hundreds of years earlier by the prophet Zechariah. In Zechariah 9:9, we read, "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This wasn't a random choice of transportation, but a deliberate act of fulfillment. Jesus was not just a king, but the King, the promised Messiah, the Anointed One.
The third aspect we see is the humble nature of Jesus' actions. He didn't ride into Jerusalem on a warhorse, as a conquering king might. No, He rode in on a colt, a young donkey, a symbol of peace and humility. This wasn't a display of earthly power and prestige, but of heavenly grace and gentleness. Jesus was not a king who lorded it over His subjects, but a servant who laid down His life for His friends.
Finally is the public nature of Jesus' actions. He didn't sneak into Jerusalem under the cover of darkness. No, He rode in during the day, in full view of the crowds. This wasn't a secret mission, but a public proclamation. Jesus was not a hidden Messiah, but a revealed Redeemer. He was not a clandestine Savior, but a conspicuous Lord.
As we move forward in the narrative, we find ourselves amidst a sea of jubilant crowds ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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