The road to the Cross
Luke 19:28-44 Matthew 21:1-11 Mark 11:1-111
Introduction-
This morning we will look at the road to the cross.
Jesus entering into Jerusalem and fulfilling all that God the Father wanting Him to accomplish including the death, burial, resurrection that leads to the redemption of mankind and the defeat of sin and Satan.
I want us to look at this familiar passage and see the attitude change of the people.
They went from praising Jesus to wanting to crucify Him.
They went from following Him to betraying Him.
Jesus was determined to stay the course and go to the cross. The Devil wanted Jesus killed on the cross also, but had no idea what would happen on and off the cross.
Luke 19:28-44
A lot of people know about the cross and Jesus Christ, but few have experienced what the cross means for their life.
Illustration-
A story is told about a famous preacher long ago who pastored a church that was filled every Sunday by people who traveled miles on foot just to hear his messages. One day as the church was emptying, a passer-by asked one of the people in church why the preacher’s message was so compelling. The person responded without hesitation, the preacher will take you up to the mountain and down to the valley; he will bring you to laughter and to tears. He will have you jumping around with joy and then falling to your knees, but, by the time he is finished, he will always have you at the foot of the cross.
Palm Sunday is Jesus Christ fulfilling what God the Father wanted accomplished.
Jesus goes to Jerusalem
Clears the Temple
Is betrayed by one of His own disciples
Has His last Supper with His disciples.
Gives His life on the cross.
Experiences the resurrection power of God the Father.
That changed mankind forever! That is Holy Week! That is Jesus Christ road to the Cross!
The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem
Riding on a colt that symbolizes humility rather than power.
fulfilling prophecy of Zechariah
People going from “who is this”, to laying their coats on the ground as a sign of loyalty.
People spreading palm branches and screaming “Hosanna”, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”, “Hosanna in the highest.”
Expressions of praise – worship for their new leader!
All three having a meaning of honor.
5 days later, these same people were yelling crucify Him, and wanting a convicted criminal set free instead of Jesus.
What happened?
Why the change of heart?
The historical tension was between the Romans and the revolt of the people. Jerusalem usually 50,000 people, now roughly 150,000 people because of the Passover.
The Roman army beefing up their army to keep people under control.
People thinking that this Jesus was coming to conquer this suppressive Roman army.
In the crowd was a variety of people
There were followers- “Hail Jesus”
There were critics – “Who does this Jesus think He is?
There were the curious- “What is all the noise about?
There was a core of believers- “Those willing to die for Jesus”
This morning I want you to know that there is everyone of those people in every congregation.
Some need to move from critic to being committed.
Some need to move from curious to being the core of believers.
You may be standing on the side of the road, but by the end of this message, you will have to do something with Jesus.
As soon as most learned that Jesus was not going to do what they expected, they changed allegiances.
As soon as Jesus did not meet their expectation, they went from “Hossana”(praise) to “crucify Him.” (condemning)
The people wanted Jesus to be their king, but they did not understand what kind of king Jesus would be. They expected their Messiah to be a great political and military leader who would free them from tyranny of the Roman empire, but the kingdom of God is not of this world. It is a spiritual kingdom that is growing in the hearts of people who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
You have to understand that conspiracy for Jesus has been mounting for about three years.
Religious people hated Him.
Romans did not trust Him.
The very people he was going to die for did not understand His purpose and plan.
Palm Sunday is a celebration of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Jesus rode on a colt rather than a war horse.
Jesus was not coming to destroy, but to love.
Luke 9:51- “He set His face to Jerusalem” Jesus Christ was determined to finish the task God had for Him to accomplish.
People think they drove and forced Jesus to the cross, He openly went to redeem mankind.
People will make up their own minds of who and what Jesus is to them.
They wanted a king- Jesus wants to be a savior.
They wanted outside change- Jesus wanted to make heart changes.
They wanted power to be transferred to the people- Jesus wanted praise to be given to God the Father.
They saw Romans as problem- Jesus said they were the problem.
Listen,
No prophet can be a savior
Prophets can only denounce sin, promote salvation.
Be a forerunner to Jesus.
But they cannot atone for sin
they cannot reconcile people to God. Only Jesus can do that!
The city of Jerusalem was moved, but they were not saved.
Luke 19- says that Jesus approached the city of Jerusalem and wept.
The religious told Jesus to rebuke his disciples, have them keep quiet.
Jesus says- if they keep quiet, the rocks will cry out!
The day is coming when all this will be destroyed because you don’t get it.
(44) “They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
God came to the Jews in the person of Jesus Christ the messiah, but they failed to recognize him and rejected Him.
Winding down, but not necessarily ending
What does Easter mean to you?
To most, it means that you will have to eat egg salad for 2 weeks.
To the wise, it could mean that you will experience the love of God like never before.
There is 2 recorded places that Jesus wept.
He wept with Mary and Martha at the grave of Lazarus before he resurrected Him, and he wept over Jerusalem because they did not understand His purpose.
Jesus approached their grief with compassion and he identified with their sorrow and despair.
They had eyes but did not see, they had ears but did not hear, they missed the message that
God had given them.
They were God’s people, God loved them and led them across the wilderness into the promised land. But they did not understand the messiah that walked with them. Because of that, He wept.
Today we find ourselves just like Jerusalem, we find ourselves in the presence of Jesus. I wonder what He will find when He looks into our eyes?
Does Jesus find people concerned about everything from taxes to job security, about health, or lack of it. So busy that they are missing the important thing of knowing Christ.
The road of Jerusalem was a road of submission for Jews and it is the same for us also, a road of submission and obedience to Jesus Christ.
Closing,
Jesus says He is the way, the truth, and the life. The way of Jesus is tough, but he says that He will be there for us every step of the way.
“If any of you want to be my followers, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me.”
He says my way- not your selfish ways.
Jesus said the Son of man must suffer terrible things and be rejected by the elders- that happened then and it is happening now! And it will happen until Jesus returns. We have a choice to make, not to be like the others who rejected Him.
The cheering stopped because Jesus knew their heart, he knew their desires, and their mouth echoed what was in their heart.
We experience heartache and the cheering stops.
Our prayer shifts and it becomes Lord, deliver me, help me, instead of Lord, mold me, use me.
We desire to have God change circumstances instead of asking God to change us.
We lose sight of God and His purpose.
We want to praised Him for what He can do, instead of Who He is !
The heart of Palm Sunday is the road Jesus took to Calvary for each of us.
I am glad there is a Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday or else there could not be Easter Sunday!
Jesus made a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, now He is desiring to enter into your heart and life.
If you have never made a commitment to Christ, don’t leave here today without doing that.
Maybe you’re here and you just never made Jesus Lord of your life, something has always gotten in the way- make that commitment today.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross and set down at the right hand of God.
Is He the author and finisher of your faith?
Altar Call
