The Passion Week of Christ: A Study from the Book of Mark
Week 1:The Servant Arrives - He Is King
Mark 11:1-11
I. Opening Illustration
A. Any of you read a good book recently, perhaps a NY Times Bestseller? How about this, what would you say is THE most important book you've ever read? How about THE most important book ever written in the history of man, of the world? Bible? But it's 66 Books. Gospel? But there's four of them...
B. Barclay says "It would be possible to argue that of them all [synoptic gospels] Mark is the most important. It would indeed be possible to go further and to argue that it is the most important book in the world." How? #1 Earliest - 1st life of Jesus to come down to us. #2 Closest - 12 disciples --> inner circle --> Peter the leader = source of the book of Mark - nearest approach we will ever possess for eyewitness account of life of Jesus.
II. Introduction to Sermon Series
A. So if Mark is arguably the most important book in the world, What about this - what was the most important week in the world? THE PASSION WEEK, when as Mark records, God's Suffering Servant "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"! Without it, we meet in vain this AM and as Paul wrote if in Christ, and that one week, we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied! The Nelson Study Bible calls Mark: "A Passion story with a long introduction." In fact, 1/3 of the Gospel = passion account. So the most important book in the history of the world and of man spends one third of its volume to recount the most important week in the history of the world and of man. I think we should stand up and take notice, don't you?! So, for the next 12 weeks, we are going to examine this Passion Week of Christ, the week that God's Suffering Servant "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." I know it may seem strange to preach in February a message that normally is only done on Palm Sunday. But if Mark spends 1/3 of his Gospel and John spends 1/2 of his Gospel on The Passion Week, do we do it justice to preach it 2 Sundays only? No! So we are going to examine this greatest of all weeks in detail, 12 weeks in three parts: The Servant Arrives, The Servant Suffers, The Servant Finishes. First up, The Servant Arrives: He Is King. This AM, we are going to look at The Person, The Presentation, The Purpose and the Perogative of This King.
III. Scripture Reading & Prayer
A. Stand with me to honor the reading of God's Word. Read Mark 11:1-11.
B. Pray - Father, teach us what you would from that glorious day when your Son, our Passover Lamb, made His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
IV. Context, Context, Context (Read & Discuss Mark 11:1)
A. In Mark 10:46-52, Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus as He left Jericho. It is the time for the Passover festival, and so Jesus and His disciples have just made the journey from Jericho to Jerusalem. From a harmony of the Gospels, we know that Jesus and His disciples actually made it to Bethany on Saturday where they stayed each night, likely at the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Now Sunday sometime, Jesus and the disciples make their way to Jerusalem from Bethany having passed through the village of Bethpage. Both villages sat on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. The elevation at this point is about 2600 feet - from which one has a breathtaking view of the Holy City.
B. Passover was one of three pilgrimage festivals in Jewish life and in fact was THE biggest! It was one that by Biblical law was a holy obligation incumbent upon both men and women alike, unlike the other festival offerings which were only obligatory upon the men. Furthermore, those who did not participate in the Passover offering faced a very severe penalty: the Biblical penalty of karet, literally "to be cut off," which some interpret to mean premature death. Clearly, all who had the ability made certain to be among those who arrived in Jerusalem for Passover. Thus people from ALL over the Empire went to Jerusalem on Passover - Josephus writing in 65 AD said the population of the city swelled to "not less than 3 millions."
C. There were certain things required of you as a Jew if you wanted to go to the Temple. You had to eat the Passover lamb in a state of purity. Thus, all Jews went through a period of purification starting a week beforehand. So this day, Sunday, hundreds of thousands to millions of Jews would have flowed in an endless stream into Jerusalem. People weren't the only thing overflowing the city - national pride, joy and Messianic expectations were as well.
#1 National Pride & Joy: The Temple Institute described it this way: "The overwhelming sense of joy and elation in Jerusalem itself knew no bounds; it permeated every street, every courtyard, every house...It was an unparalleled feeling of belonging and brotherhood that encompassed all the participants. Jerusalem veritably rang out with song and the holy, intense celebration. Indeed, a popular expression in the Talmud coined by the rabbis recalls that the very walls of Jerusalem shook and 'the roofs were shattered' from the sounds of joy as people sang the Hallel and waved palm branches as they marched into the city."
#2 Messianic expectations: For over 600 years, from the time of the Babylonian captivity to the Roman occupation in the 1st century, the Jewish nation had been subjected to a series of occupational forces, often with unspeakable brutality. Now, it was the hated Romans. The Jews desperately wanted the Messiah to appear to deliver them from this madness. As Kostenberger writes, by the time of Jesus, these "messianic expectations were widespread, and the Jewish hope of liberation...was at a fever pitch."
E. Close your eyes and imagine the scene - 2600 feet up, Jesus and the disciples look out over the Holy City...hundreds of thousands of Jews fill the streets of Jerusalem below like tiny ants in a sea of green as they wave palm branches...singing fills the crisp cool Spring air as the people chant the Hallel. The joy of the moment is so palpable you can feel it flow through your veins!
F. Amidst this backdrop, Jesus prepares to do something He has never done in His lifetime - allow Himself to be publicly acknowledged and worshiped as the Messiah, the King of the Jews. Recall He often charged people to keep silent about who He was and what He had done, but not today. God's Suffering Servant has arrived and He Is King.
V. The Person of This King (vv. 1b-6)
A. Read and explain Mark 11:1b-6.
- sent two - Jesus always seems to have sent His disciples out in fellowship, even if it was only two by two. As Cole notes, "The solitary Christian is never a biblical ideal."
- Go into the village in front of you - Most likely Bethpage. In front of you implies it was somewhat off the main road. Isn't it interesting they had just came from there...why didn't Jesus just grab the donkey on the way? Cole: "their faith for the future would be immeasurably strengthened by finding that every detail was as Jesus had said."
- you will find a colt tied - there is much debate over whether this was an example of Jesus' foreknowledge or pre-arrangement. It no doubt could have been pre-arrangement as Jesus had been to Jerusalem many times and undoubtedly, he had many friends in and around Jerusalem (cf. Mary, Martha and Lazarus). However, just as Jesus in a few days would send the disciples to meet and then follow a "man carrying a jar of water" in finding a place to prepare the Passover, I believe this is prophetic foreknowledge. Particularly in light of the fact that the colt's owners stop the disciples and say "Hey, not so fast, what are you two doing untying our colt?".
- on which no one has ever sat - The Jews regarded animals that had never been ridden as especially suited for holy purposes (cf. Num. 19:2, Deut. 21:3, 1 Sam. 6:7). Cf. Jesus' tomb - "where no one had ever yet been laid." (Luke 23:53) This donkey had a holy purpose - to carry King Jesus into Jerusalem!
- untie it and bring it - Some scholars say that the reason Matthew, Mark, and Luke all recorded the disciples' obedience in such detail was because the untying of the colt may have been a messianic sign (cf. Genesis 49:8-12). Pre-Christian Jewish texts interpreted Genesis 49:10 as messianic. Beyond that...this was a BOLD act of faith on the disciples' part. As much as we often knock them for their lack of faith, this was huge! It would be akin to us looking for a car with the keys in the ignition and driving away with it! The disciples could have faced severe punishment (cf. Exodus 22:4 = pay double). Thus, their willingness to obey was a mark of faith!
- If anyone says...say 'The Lord has need of it' - Greek "Kyrios"...in Hebrew "Adon" meaning Lord, owner, master was the OT way of referring to YHWH. Who is this King...what is His person? Self-proclaimedly He is Lord! Immanuel, God with us! Example = Thomas' great confesssion (cf. John 20:28)
- And they went away - What do you think those two talked about on the way? The disciples were known to argue about who was the greatest and now here two are sent to retrieve a donkey. "Jesus, we've followed you for 3 years, forsaken all, been in threat of death and you've sent us to get a donkey!" What a menial, lowly task! I bet if they were Baptist they griped the whole way! Oh, how often what seems to be the smallest of tasks in the Kingdom is the greatest
- And they let them go - Again they likely knew of Christ - numerous passages speak of how His fame had spread throughout the entire region. And when they heard that THE LORD had need of it...they obeyed, they submitted!
B. Application: In Matthew's account we read that as a result of Jesus' Triumphal Entry, "the whole city was stirred up, saying, 'Who is this?'" You know the WHOLE WORLD continues to ask that question of Jesus, of the Person of This King. Tell story of John & Stacy on bus in Africa - Jesus = great prophet. The greatest prophet said this about Himself - read John 11:25-27, 14:6. Who is this Jesus? Oh there are many answers, but only one is correct! He is Lord, owner, master, Immanuel...God With Us. And a right understanding of that = a right undertaking...submission. The disciples did, the owners did. Luccock = "This surely ought to be our response to God's need of anything we have. There are skills that can be put to the use of the kingdom, personality that can be the instrument of His truth, feet that can go on his errands, hands that can lift burdens. God needs our time, God needs our strength, God needs our mind." How obedient to Him are you, am I?
VI. The Presentation of This King (vv. 7-8)
A. Read and explain Mark 11:7-8.
- and threw their cloaks on it - The coats simply functioned as a cushion or saddle. Their colors may have given a festive or parade look.
- and he sat on it - When Israel's rulers wanted to present themselves as servants of the people, they rode donkeys (cf. Judges 10:4, 12:14). When they entered as military leaders, they rode horses. Matthew says it specifically took place to fulfill Zechariah 9:9. Read and explain Zechariah 9:9-10. Jesus' entry is a dramatic way to convey His status - He is a king, riding a king's mount!
- And many spread their cloaks on the road - #1 Such action was part of the ancient practice of welcoming a new king (cf. 2 Kings 9:13)...the crowd recognized Jesus' claim to be King of the Jews. #2 Such action was a huge sacrifice...outer cloaks were expensive, prized possessions! The cloak was a status symbol for some. It was decorated and made from fine material. It would have rich and beautiful ornaments of metal, precious stones, or embroidery. Many used their cloaks as collateral to guarantee loan or debt repayment. Poor people even used their cloaks as a bed sheet. They were willing to cast their bedsheets, prized possessions under the hooves of this colt.
- And others spread leafy branches - Palm branches, which symbolized joy and salvation and pictured future royal tribute to Christ (Rev. 7:9).
B. Application: The way Jesus presented Himself that Sunday undoubtedly conveyed His status - He Is King! Matthew says "MOST of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road" which means some in the crowd refused to do so, refused to acknowledge Christ as King. But that doesn't change the facts! I can refuse to acknowledge gravity but the fact remains that if I jump out of a 3 story window, I'm going to plummet to the ground! Jesus IS King of Kings (cf. Phil. 2:10-11)! And a right understanding of that = a right undertaking...sacrifice. And many that Sunday gave it to the King of Kings. Cole: "That day, all had a share, however small, in the sacrifice associated with such a ride; for if one gave the donkey, others sacrificed their clothing; and, on this day at least, none spoke of such sacrifices as being waste. Love's extravagance in self-giving always goes unrebuked by Jesus, though not always by others." Read Acts 20:35 - only direct quote from Jesus' earthly ministry recorded outside the Gospels! What have you thrown before Him, sacrificed extravagantly in love?
VII. The Purpose of This King (vv. 9-10)
A. Read and explain Mark 11:9-10.
- #1 And those...were shouting, "Hosanna!" - Recall what I said earlier about messianic expectations...600+ years under brutal foreign rule, most recently the hated Romans. At a feverish pitch. Be like the crowd waiting backstage to see Justin Timberlake or the women on The Bachelor to see Juan Pablo! The people hoped, indeed desperately desired for Jesus to be their Messiah. And here He is, entering Jerusalem as just that! And so, the crowd shouts "Hosanna!" Hosanna is the transliteration of a Greek word that transliterated the Hebrew "hosi ah na," literally "O save us now." It was a shout of praise calling for deliverance. Physical, political deliverance!
- #2 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord - This phrase is part of the Hallel, Hebrew word for "praise," which was comprised of Psalm 113-118 (read 118:26) The Hallel was well known by every Jew as it was sung at Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles; its greatest significance was at Passover with Psalm 113-114 being sung before the Passover meal and Psalm 115-118 afterwards. Further, Psalm 118 was intensely messianic - any good Jew knew this. In essence, the crowd is shouting "Jesus is Messiah!" Further "The one who comes" was another name for the Messiah. When the Jews spoke about the Messiah, they talked of Him as "the One who is coming." This annual ritual liturgy has become fulfilled prophecy! Hundreds of years of waiting is over! The Messiah is here! All hail King Jesus!
- #3 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! - This tribute acknowledges Jesus as bringing in the messianic kingdom promised to David's Son (cf. 2 Sam. 7:16, Amos 9:11-12).
- #4 Hosanna in the highest - this meant "O, You who live in heaven, save us now." This was a call to God to deliver His people just as He done in saving them out of the land of Egypt. Cole says it was a plea for immediate salvation (albeit it in a physical, political sense) - "save us, now, we beg." Listen to how in The Psalms of Solomon the Jewish people described the kind of Son of David they expected. Read pg 308-09 in Barclay. Then 309-311.
B. Application: #1 People today are still confused as to Jesus' purpose - great teacher, prophet, moral man of justice, Savior? In our pluralistic society, "I am the way, the truth and the life" is seen as narrow-minded. Jesus was narrow-minded for He said "Enter by the narrow gate...For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." And a right understanding of that = a right undertaking...shouting Hosanna, Jesus Alone Saves. The Purpose of This King is salvation, He is Savior, One who has defeated sin, death & Satan. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. As unpopular a message as that is, it is still true - still the Purpose of This King and we must never stop shouting it! #2 Even Jesus own disciples who had been with Him for 3 years did not truly understand the purpose of this King - read John 12:16. They didn't even understand it on the last day they saw Jesus - read Acts 1:6. A lot of Christians today, just like the disciples then, have been around Jesus for a long time and STILL don't know His purpose. Like the crowd, they too shout Hosanna, O save us now - when it's convenient for them! Some of 'em are "Fire Insurance Policy" Christians and some of 'em are "Sideline" Christians (give analogy of Butch Jones). If you're a Christian the Purpose of This King in saving you was NOT just to give you a fire insurance policy or a pretty Christian T-shirt - quote Eph. 2:10.
IX. The Perogative of This King (vv. 11)
A. Read and explain Mark 11:11.
- Note first that it was already late - Soon, the city gates would be closed. Thus, the temple area may have already been empty. As such it was true to its original God-given purpose and not the 3 ring circus that the religious elite had turned it into.
- And when he had looked around at everything - This is a description unique to Mark, possibly based on Peter's eyewitness memories. Christ acted as One who had the authority to inspect the temple conditions; after all it was His Father's House. And Jesus' observation missed nothing! Since the first time He had cleansed the temple it had become more corrupt and profane than ever...its quite holiness that Sunday night would stand in stark contrast to its disgusting hypocrisy the following day. That contrast would certainly not be lost on Jesus' disciples nor the Perogative of This King to inspect His Father's House.
- And with that, he went out to Bethany with the twelve - Jesus' practice these first three days of Passion Week was not to leave Jerusalem until sunset, when the crowds dispersed and the city gates were about to be closed.
B. Application: Do we at Crossway understand that this church is not ours? Discuss Liberty Homecoming comment about Vicky and I - "lot of nerve." Oh, I'm sorry...I didn't know YOU bled and died for this church! I don't say that to bad mouth anyone or Liberty but I do say it to make a point. The only person who "owns" ANY church in the BHBA? Jesus! The church is Christ's! HE, and HE alone, purchased it with His own blood! As such he has the perogative to inspect it. And a right understanding of that = a right undertaking...supremacyChrist is The Good Shepherd - I am an Under-Shepherd. We collectively are His sheep. If Christ were to return this AM to inspect Crossway Baptist, His Father's House, what would He say? What would He do - change, clean, restore?
X. Conclusion
A. Remember what I said earlier about the mood in Jerusalem at Passover - "The overwhelming sense of joy and elation knew no bounds; it permeated every street, every courtyard, every house." But THIS Passover was different. Finally, the long awaited Messiah, the King of the Jews had arrived, "righteous and having salvation...humble and mounted on a donkey." As the youth would say the joy and elation in Jerusalem THIS Passover was off the chain! But not so for the One mounted on the donkey. He too should be giddy...He is a king, riding a king's mount. Like a rockstar, the people are yelling and shouting and cheering for King Jesus! Yet Luke records that, as Jesus makes his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, He weeps over the city. Why? He knew it's inhabitants hearts! And the wrong understanding of the Person, Presentation, Purpose and Perogative of His Kingship that they had. Brothers and sisters 2000 years later Jesus knows the hearts of the inhabitants of Crossway Baptist. Does our understanding of the Person, Presentation, Purpose and Perogative of the King of Kings cause Him to weep? Or does our right understanding and right undertaking of submission, sacrifice, shouting and supremacy cause Him joy?
XI. Invitation
A. If you are here today and you've never accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, do you have a right understanding of your standing? You stand guilty before a holy and just God for the Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Your decaying, aging body is proof - for the wages of sin is death. Yet, the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus who, while we were still sinners, died for us! Romans 10:9-10 says that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you WILL be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Won't you accept the free gift of God this AM?
B. Maybe you have a right understanding this AM and God is calling you to a right undertaking - Baptism, church membership, rededication.
XII. Lord's Supper
A. I can't think of a better way for us to close out our 1st service in this series on The Passion Week of Our Lord, the week that God's Suffering Servant "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many," other than we end by partaking of the Lord's Supper in remembrance of that atoning sacrifice He made. It was a one week journey to the cross, and it all started that fateful Sunday with cries of Hosanna - O, save us now. And indeed He has done just that!
B. Partaking of the Elements
