Palm Sunday 2018 - John 12, Ezekiel 24, Ezekiel 34
PRAYER - Today is Palm Sunday, a day we think about triumph and celebration and Jesus riding in to Jerusalem. But tied in with the idea of celebration, we want to look at the idea of weeping. And we’re going to tie in two different passages in the book of Ezekiel. So we’ll be jumping back and forth between John 11 & 12 and Ezekiel 24 and Ezekiel 34. If you want to turn with me, you can start in John 12:9.
A number of years ago, I took a trip of Europe and ended up in London when they were celebrating the queen’s birthday. It’s called Trouping the Colors, and all the streets are lined with spectators as the royal family all parade out of Buckingham Castle and parade through the city. It’s quite a spectacle to see.
That’s the type of day Palm Sunday was for the Jews when Jesus came into the city. It is a few days before Passover, and it is “lamb selection day” in the city. All the Jews would come into town to pick out the lamb they wanted to use for the Passover ceremony. It had to be a perfect lamb with no blemishes. They were to select it and take it home until the Passover four days later. And on this day, Jesus comes into the city as the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Jesus also was without blemish. In 1 Peter 1 we find recorded, For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Jesus had been in Bethany, just two miles away, with his good friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Remember that Lazarus is the one that Jesus had raised from the dead. When Jesus comes to town, he had arrived a few days too late for Lazarus’ funeral. He had told his disciples that Lazarus was sleeping - they said, well if he is sleeping, he’ll get better! Jesus says, Lazarus is dead! But Jesus had intentionally waited so that the power of God could be displayed. Jesus goes to the grave, and as Jesus stands there, he weeps. John 11:35 - Jesus wept. Here Jesus is at the grave of a dear friend, and as He stands there, a tear rolls down his cheek. It a quiet grief, a subdued tear.
But as we will see in a little while, later on Palm Sunday is the day when Jesus truly weeps, when he wails with great emotion. Jesus is at the grave of His friend, but Jesus is not overwhelmed by sorrow, because He knows what He is about to do. Jesus told his disciples “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
Jesus calls Lazarus by name, and Lazarus is brought back to life. Later, everyone around town wants to hear Lazarus’ story. John 12 records for us, Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him. . . Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word.
So Jesus had come to the funeral, but he has a private, intimate tear. It is not the outward grieving that is so typical of funerals and mourners. Now having said that, let’s look at Ezekiel 24. We’ve been looking at the book of Ezekiel, seeing various spotlights in this book as Ezekiel acts out his sermons before the people. And in Ezekiel, we see the prophet facing the death of one who is very close to him.
Read Ezekiel 24:15-27
So what in the world is going on here? As I have said before, being a prophet was a difficult calling. God often called the prophets to do things that we can’t believe He asked them to do. And in this case, God tells Ezekiel, I’m going to kill your wife! And I don’t want you to grieve!
Some people try to soften this and say Ezekiel’s wife was probably already sick and dying. But there is nothing in the text that would cause us to think that. I think what is more accurate is that God simply takes Ezekiel’s wife and kills her! That can be hard for us to accept. That sounds unloving. That sounds harsh. How could a God of love do that!
But let’s remember, death is simply a separation of the body from the soul. Death is simply a transfer of the person to a different reality. Ezekiel’s wife - like Paul says - is absent from the body and present with the Lord. So the only thing that happens in death is that she is no longer physically alive - but she is spiritually alive forevermore! And yet that idea of death is a big hurdle for many.
Ezekiel truly loved his wife. Hopefully every husband here today loves his wife in the same way. God calls her “the delight of your eyes” in verse 16. Whenever he saw her, his eyes would light up. Gentlemen, do you still beam with joy when you look at your wife? You should! Never forget the wonder that God would bless you with such a good woman. How can I say she is good? She puts up with you, doesn’t she? Ezekiel loved his wife. But God took her.
And God tells Ezekiel that he is not to outwardly mourn for his wife. Yes, vs 17, he could groan quietly, but he is not to engage in all the show and ceremony of grieving that was typical of the Jews. In the funeral rites of the ancient Near East, the mourner normally would tear his garments and put on sackcloth (2 Sam 3:31). He would remove his shoes and headdress (2 Sam 15:30; Mic 1:8), shave his head, and put earth on his head (1 Sam 4:12). The lower part of the face (from the mustache down) would be covered with a veil of some sort (2 Sam 15:30; 19:4). The mourner would roll his head or his whole body in dust and then lie, or sit, among a heap of ashes (Isa 58:5; Mic 1:10). He would fast for a day (2 Sam 1:12; 3:35), after which friends would bring “mourning bread” or as we say today - “comfort food” - a big half-gallon of ice cream with chocolate fudge in it (Jer 16:7). Funeral lamentations—repeated shrill cries—would be made by the family relatives, and professional mourners were hired(2 Sam 1:17; 11:26; Mic 1:8). There was all sorts of grieving. But God sad Ezekiel, don’t engage in any of that! Why not?
Once again, Ezekiel is a living sermon to the nation. The Jews visit Ezekiel’s home after his wife’s death, probably to offer sympathy and to give support. Instead they found themselves asking for a word from God. The people came and said Ezekiel, why aren’t you grieving? And Ezekiel then would give them God’s message. God was going to take away the delight of the Jews, the one thing that they prided themselves in: the temple of God. This was like losing the Washington Monument to the US - Big Ben to the British - or the Eiffel Tower to the French - but 10x more so! Back in Jerusalem Jeremiah was prophesying to the people: Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!” Jer. 7:4. They thought God would let NOTHING happen to His temple. But their lying prophets were simply deceiving them. Judgment was about to fall.
So Ezekiel said that just as he did not grieve for his wife, so also the people would not be able to grieve for the fall of the temple. The Lord would soon defile the temple and slay the Judean children in the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (v.21b). Ezekiel was to be a sign to them (v.24a). They were to respond to the destruction of the temple and the death of their children in the same manner that Ezekiel responded to the death of his wife (vv.22–23). Just as the delight of his eyes (his wife) was taken, so the delight of their eyes (the temple and their children) would be taken. Why should they not mourn? Because Jerusalem’s fall had been foretold by many of the prophets, especially Ezekiel. This judgment should have been expected! God had been patient with them for years and years, but finally God reached the end of His patience, and judgment falls. There is nothing to grieve over, because the people have brought this judgment upon themselves by their sinful actions.
God tells them in verse 24 - When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.’ Jerusalem was God’s city, and the temple was His house. The Jews were God’s witness to the world. And when the people of Israel failed, God said, “I will destroy even My own witness on the earth. I want you to know the city is destroyed. The rest of your people are being brought into captivity. But there’s no use weeping, there’s no use howling to Me now. I have done this—I am responsible for it.”
God said that a messenger would arrive in Babylon with the news of the fall of the city and the destruction of the temple, and this occurred five months later, on January 8, 585 b.c. (33:21–22). A fugitive from Jerusalem traveled about 880 miles to tell Ezekiel the news in Babylon (33:21). Upon hearing that Jerusalem had fallen, Ezekiel had God open his mouth, and he was able to speak once again. Remember until this time Ezekiel could only talk when God gave him a specific message to share.
So from this point on, the focus of Ezekiel’s ministry shifted. He had exposed the nation’s sins and announced her judgment. But now he would announce God’s judgment for the Gentile nations, and then he would give hope to the Jewish exiles and share with them visions of the restoration of the nation. That’s what we find in the final chapters of Ezekiel.
So back to the events of Palm Sunday. Jesus comes to Lazarus’ grave, but offers a silent tear. In the same way, Ezekiel has his wife die, and he also sheds a silent tear. But for Jesus, the great emotional outpour is yet to come. The disciples find a donkey for Jesus, and they begin making their way towards Jerusalem. Bethany is about a mile and a half away - the distance from here to the McCreadie’s house. The crowds follow behind Jesus, a crowd comes out from the city and meets them on the way, people start throwing palm branches on the road and shouting in triumph. They are celebrating the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy of the coming of their king. The crowd comes over the crest of the Mt. of Olives, looks down and sees their capital, and they get excited - sort of like driving into Washington DC and seeing the Washington Monument from a couple miles out - great national excitement about their city.
Everyone is focused on Jesus, but what is Jesus focused on? The people of Jerusalem. His heart breaks and he is overwhelmed with compassion for them. Jesus comes over the crest and looks down and focuses NOT on the capitol city, but on hundreds of thousands of people who will face God’s judgment. He knows what awaits them - death and destruction. He knows that in just a few short years the city will be razed by the Romans and overthrown. In AD 70 a Roman general named Titus set siege against Jerusalem because they did finally revolt against Rome. According to the historian, Josephus, over one million Jews were killed. And so Jesus looks at the city and weeps.
In Luke 19:41 it tells us, As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. As it tells us he “weeps” over the city, the wording here indicates loud sobbing. As Jesus comes in to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he weeps - not a tear rolling down His cheek - but loud, violent WAILING - He is crying out hysterically - that’s the idea of the Greek word here - because He sees what is going to happen to the people in the city in the days ahead. And that’s how great His love for the people of Israel is. He is visibly, emotionally moved to tears!
Let’s never forget that God passionately, desperately, completely loves the Jews. Psalm 122:6 tells us, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. Paul says in Romans 10:1 - Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. Some people try to tell us that God’s plan has changed - Israel has been replaced by the church. But that is not true. Rather Romans 11:25+ makes clear for us that God is STILL working out His plan for the Jews: I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.
So God is continuing to work out His plan for the redemption of the nation of Israel. But as Jesus sees the Jews and sees the heartbreak coming to them, He begins to weep. So what is our parallel in Ezekiel? What tears the heart of God apart? Look with me in Ezekiel 34. We saw in chapter 24 that the Jews were facing judgment - the temple would be destroyed, the city burnt, the remainder of the people exiled. And God said Don’t cry about it - you were warned - it’s all your own fault!” But now we see in chapter 34, how God feels about His people. Yes, they are facing judgment, but God desperately cares for them.
The message here in chapter 34 is that God will care for His flock. The Jews are described like a flock of sheep. In Psalm 100:3 it says, Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. But that same metaphor is used for the church as well. In 1 Peter 5 we find these words: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
So are the Jews the flock of God? Yes, they are. But is the church also the flock of God? Yes, WE are!
And God wants His sheep to get along! Look with me in Ezekiel 34.
Read Ez. 34:1-6 - God has a message to his shepherds: Take care of my flock! The leaders of the Jews were focused on themselves instead of caring about the people of the nation. In the same way, in the church today, we need leaders who care for the whole body. As pastor, I always need to make sure my concern is for the good of the whole flock. Sadly, in churches it can be easy to care about the area where you are involved. Those working in missions think God cares more about missions than anything else - those working with children or youth can say they are the future of the church so they are of greater importance - those working with music can point out how important worship is - and those in serving ministries like our food pantry ministry can place a priority on ministries that serve others.
So what is the most important? The truth is that God cares about it ALL! That’s like saying “which leg of a three legged stool is the most important?” If ANY of the legs are cut off, the stool will not function. And in the same way, God gives us a picture of the church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12 - and EVERY member plays an important part. As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” . . . But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Let’s always remember that as we come together as the church, we truly need to care about one another. Not only does Ezekiel 34 point out the fault of the shepherds to care for the people, it points out the failure of the sheep to treat one another rightly. Look down in verse 17 - As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats. Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet? ‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.
Far too often, we do not treat one another as we ought. God’s desire is that we love one another - care for one another - esteem our leaders in the highest regard - and live in peace with one another.
Let me give you 4 ways the scripture tells us we show love to one another. Each starts with the letter H.
*Harmony - The first is harmony. When we love, we will live in harmony with one another.
Rom 12:18 - If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Now notice what it does not say. This does not mean we need to live in agreement with everyone. That would be impossible. In our politically correct culture we want to say everyone is right! No one is wrong. Teachers say, Don’t tell Billy he’s wrong because it might hurt his self-esteem. He would be mortally wounded if we say he’s wrong.
Listen, you can say 2+2=5, but that doesn’t make it true! I’d be a fool to agree with you; but I can still be at peace with you. You might think you’re right; I might know you’re wrong; but we can still get along!
This verse isn’t about agreement, but about harmony. We need to learn to get along with one another in peace. In 2 Corinthians 13:11 Paul says, be of one mind, live in peace. That is the same phrasing used in Matthew 4 when the disciples were “mending their nets.” We are to be tightly tied to one another.
- Satan brings strife to destroy the body of Christ; but God desires that we have perfect harmony.
The second expression of love comes through HELP.
*Help - when we love, we help one another. Once again from the book of Romans.
Rom 15:1-2 - We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Gal 6:2 - Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
1 John 3:17 - If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? And of course, the answer is IT CAN’T! God’s love CAN’T be in you if you see your brother in need but have no compassion or pity! Because God is a God of Compassion. And compassion, caring for others, is expressed when we reach out to help one another.
The third expression of love:
*Humility - when we love, we will not be proud. We won’t think of ourselves as better than others.
Phil 2:3 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. When you think about others in the church, do you really believe they are better than you? They are! Whether you believe it or not! Those who love, as God wants us to love, will be humble.
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. God exalts the humble and humbles the proud.
And then the fourth H -
*Hospitality - when we love, we show it by opening our homes to one another
1 Peter 4:9 - Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. The key is not just to invite someone over for lunch, but do it with the right attitude. Don’t brag about how much the steak costs. Don’t complain that you can hardly afford doing things. Just open your heart and your home and let your time together be a time to intentionally encourage the other person.
Proverbs 23 is very graphic as it talks about hospitality: Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.
So here are four ways to show our love for one another in the church: Harmony, Helping, Humility, and Hospitality. God created us to be passionate people. None of us have any trouble loving. It comes natural to us. The only problem is WHAT or WHO do we love?
1 John 2:15 - Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. When we choose the love of the world over loving God or loving our brothers and sisters, we realize that we do not have the right love.
1 John 4:20 - If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
Yet, if we choose to love one another, we will show the world that God is in us.
1 John 4:12 - No-one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
John 13:35 - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
When we love as we ought, we show Christ to the world. That is our task as Christians, to love in such a way that the world sees Christ living through us. Matt 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Gal 5:14-16 - The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Jesus is grieved as He comes to Jerusalem and sees the city, knowing the devastation that will come. And it the same way, God’s heart for us, as a church, as His flock, is for us to truly love one another. May God help us to live that truth out in our hearts this week.
