PALM SUNDAY AS IT IS KNOWN – MESSAGE OUTLINE
[A] JESUS UPHELD
1. Read Matthew 21 v 1-11
2. Place in context. John 12:9 The great multitude therefore of the Jews learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. The Jews were in curious mode, generally uncommitted but caught in emotion and curiosity.
3. A Crowd Response. John 12:12-13 On the next day the great multitude who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet Him, and began to cry out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” The other gospels do not mention palms but they say “(cutting) branches from the trees.” Cf this verse, Nehehiah 8:15 “So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches, and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” I think it was a lot more than palm fronds.
4. The description of the event. They put their clothes on the animals and on the road. They spread branches in the way. Some were in front and some behind. The crowd all took the lead and called, Matthew 21:9 And the multitudes going before Him, and those who followed after were crying out, saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” We have acclaim without acceptance; calling without commitment; and progression without possession. Most of the crowd was like this. They know of Him as the prophet (Matt 21 v 10).
5. One beautiful thought. Matthew 21:15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant”. Children’s voices express the devotion that was feigned by the crowd. Become as children in faith and dependence.
6. In summary this is what we have:-
[a] Jesus was seated on a colt (elevated), the centre of attention. (Matt 21 v 7).
[b] He was in the midst of a praising crowd (v 9).
[c] They acknowledged His Person (Son of David) (v 9).
[d] Of those praising, some went before, and some followed. (v 9).
[e] Praise accompanied Him along the street into Jerusalem and into the temple (by the children, at least) (v 9/10/15).
[f] Accepted by His own (Jews) in pretence for a few days (4 to be precise) (v 9/11).
[g] With Jesus in the midst, the crowd threw palm branches and garments at His feet. (v 8).
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[B] JESUS DEBASED
Let’s pass on 4 days.
1. Jesus or Barabbas Matthew 27:17 When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” Jesus stands in judgment before the one who had all authority to release Him. Rather than decide according to right or wrong, Pilate tried to slide around justice in allowing the people to have a choice believing they would choose to release Jesus because he would have picked up that Jesus had some sort of popularity.
2. But the fickle people running on emotion and popular appeal had no conviction. Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death. Therefore we see these very ones who hero worshipped Jesus some days before, not calling for His cruel death.
3. The Pavement (Gabbatha) is where Jesus was displayed to the people. The elevated place of denial and rejection. Will ever stand in Pilate’s infamy.
4. In rejection Jesus was abused by the same crowd that got caught up in the emotion of Palm Sunday. Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death. Through the streets of the same city, Jesus was dethroned in rejection John 19:17 They took Jesus therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.
5. In summary this is what we have:-
[a] Jesus stood by Pilate’s side (elevated), the centre of attention. (Matt 27 v 19/20).
[b] He was in the midst of a cursing crowd (v 20/22/23).
[c] They would not acknowledge His Person (as King of the Jews: 27 v 29. Mark 15 v 9) (as Messiah: Matt 27 v 17).
[d] Of those condemning, some had gone before Pilate to demand crucifixion, and some followed to witness it. (27 v 18/20).
[e] Rejection accompanied Him along the streets from Jerusalem to the place of Calvary. (27 v 39/40).
[f] Rejected by His own in rebellion since that time (John 1 v11).
[g] With Jesus in the midst, the crowd threw insults at His feet. (27 v 27-31; 39/40).
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[C] JESUS EXALTED
(1). We will pass on some 2000 years before we see the next scene with Jesus in the midst. The scene is in heaven and we have a remarkable revelation - Revelation 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. This One is the Father. Rev 4:3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. Revelation 4:9- 11 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created.”
(2). Jesus as the Lamb in heaven. Jesus in the midst. Revelation 5:4-5 And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth
(3). Exalted and praised in absolute sinless purity. Worship of the Lamb. Revelation 5:9-10 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. “And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
(4). The pinnacle of praise. Revelation 5:12-13 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”
(5). In summary, this is what we have:-
[a] Jesus stands before His Father’s side (elevated), the centre of attention. The Father seated on the Throne. (Rev 5 v 6/7).
[b] He will be in the midst of a worshipping multitude (4 v 10/11; 5 v 9-13).
[c] They will all acknowledge His Person (the Lion/Root of David/the Lamb slain/Redeemer) (5 v 5/6/9).
[d] Of this praising multitude, some had gone before (O.T. saints), and others followed (post-cross saints).
[e] Praise/worship had carried from the streets of this life, to be overflowing before the throne of God. (4 v 1 & chs 4 & 5).
[f] Accepted by His own for eternal exaltation - forever!!
[g] With Jesus in the midst, the saints will throw themselves at His feet. (Does not specifically say so, but don’t you think so? Crowns are cast at His feet. 24 elders fell down. (4 v 10; 5 v 8).
ronaldf@aapt.net.au
