In Jesus Holy Name March 24, 2024
Text: Luke 19:11b Palm Sunday Redeemer
“Is This the King? On a Donkey!”
There is nothing normal about “parades.” There is always preparation. Anticipation is in the air. So it was in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Luke writes: “the people thought the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.”….. because Jesus entered the city on a donkey fulfilling the prophecy.
This is the 2nd parade in Jerusalem. The first was a Roman military parade led by Pontius Pilate. He was arriving in Jerusalem from his home in Caesarea. He needed to be in Jerusalem for the Passover, not because he was going to celebrate the Passover but because there was always the possibility of a Jewish riot. His procession was in the Roman style—complete with a display of Rome’s military might. Pilate was perched atop a majestic stallion. He had all the trappings of Roman wealth and prestige. His Roman Officers were in polished armor displaying the banners of captured, vanquished armies.
His parade was a proclamation of Rome’s superiority. And it came with an undeniable message directed to the pilgrims who had gathered in the city from near and far for the Passover festivities: “Keep the peace, or we will control you by force!”
The Palm Sunday Parade with Jesus on a donkey was different. The people knew the miracles of Jesus. They heard Him speak about “the kingdom of God”. They know the prophecy of Zechariah: “Rejoice, O daughter of Zion, Shout Daughter of Jerusalem see, your king comes to you. Righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Excitement was high.
Jesus enters the ancient city. The crowds went wild with their cheering. “Hosanna to the Son of David”. People grabbed anything they could get their hands on. They tore palm branches from trees. They took the clothes off their backs to throw them in his path. It was a red-carpet 4th of July parade all wrapped up into one for the Messiah, the King of the Universe. Jesus enters the Temple and throws out the money changers. People asked: Is this the new Jewish King?
Nothing would have seemed more unlikely to the Romans as they watched this unique Jewish parade, a Jewish king riding on a donkey. He didn’t look like a king. No crown. No army marching behind. No banners flying in the wind. It’s not hard to imagine the Romans laughing as they watched the spectacle. A pauper king, riding on a borrowed donkey, his saddle a makeshift layer of cloaks, attended by an unruly mob whose only weapons were palm branches.
To the Romans, He didn’t look much like a king that day riding on a donkey,
“nothing to worry about.” This parade, on the cobble stone payment of Jerusalem, did not impress Rome.
It was Passover week. There are three words that are important today. Launch. Membership. Culture.
This is “holy week”. God is about to “launch” a new people of God, but it would cost the death of the “Lamb of God.”
The city was packed with Jews from all over the world who had come to remember God’s action in their history. The inns were full. They were sacrificing lambs, remembering the blood on the door posts in their Egyptian hovels that saved lives when the angel of death passed over. Soon, very soon, the blood of the Lamb of God staining a wooden cross beam, would save people from their broken commandments.
God’s holy and righteous character demands punishment for the sinner. We know it. We feel it in our soul. Human beings are seeking peace with their Creator. As we remember, from the message two weeks ago, Nicodemus thought “his genetics, his Jewish blood heritage, his keeping of Jewish laws” would allow him to have the blessing of heaven.
Jesus said, “no”. In the past God had always accepted the offering of a lamb, a bull, or a goat. For the blood made atonement for sins. (Lev. 17:11) But now He has arrived in Jerusalem in the midst of his people, in the person of His son, Jesus. (Heb. 1:1) For God did not sent His son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through His sacrificial death.”
The Passover celebration remembered God’s action in the past. God was launching a new people, descendants of Abraham and Jacob. God’s people were enslaved, but soon would be set free through the actions of Moses. There would be a parade of millions leaving Egypt. But first God had to make preparations for the launch.
Preparations for the “Launch” began with 10 plagues to prove that the God of Moses was stronger than the gods of Egypt. The final judgment, the angel of death was in the misty fog that drifted through the streets and back alleys. To be saved from death the Jews had to kill a lamb and place the blood over the door frames of their homes.
As the mist drifted their streets they could hear the cries and shouts of anguish of those who did not believe the words of Moses. Death came to every 1st born male, whether Jewish, or Egyptian who refused to place the blood of the lamb over their house. Even animals were not spared.
The night of the Passover in Egypt was the deliverance and the launch of the people of God fulfilling His promise to Abraham. Those who believed the words of Moses and put the ‘”blood of the Passover Lamb’’ on their door frames made them members of God’s new people. The “Children of Israel”. Eventually they crossed through the waters of the Red Sea and they worship their God at Mt. Sinai. Moses built the Tabernacle which was God’s new “dwelling place” in the midst of His people. In the Tabernacle God made His presence known with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Membership in the children of Israel, meant that God’s forgiveness was their possession.
God’s dwelling place was in the Tabernacle, His Ten Commandments given at Mt. Sinai provided guidelines for a culture of life and behavior. Participation in the Passover was an annual reminded of their salvation.
Jesus, has arrived in Jerusalem. He is going to celebrate the “Passover” with His disciples. For three years His miracles, His teachings were preparation for the launch of the new people of God. Jesus said: “he who wants to be my disciple must pick up His cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness… and all who looked to the snake were saved from death… so the “Son of Man” must be lifted up on a cross and everyone who believes in me will have eternal life.” (John 3:16-18)
The new people of God would be those who gather under the “cross” believing that Jesus died on the cross, so that they are “justified” by grace before God. (Romans 5:1)
Paul writes in Galatians: “No one is justified before God by the law…but the righteous will live by faith …. In Jesus and His death and resurrection….For Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by …paying the penalty for our sins on the cross in order that Gentiles would receive the blessing promised to Abraham. (Galatians 3:10-14)
On the night Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples He “took the took the bread, gave thanks and broke it. He gave it to His disciples saying: “Take and eat this is my body”, then He took the cup, gave thanks and said: This is the blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
The “new Israel”, both Jews and Gentiles will be led by the Holy Spirit, for they know that the sacrifice of the “lamb of God” on the cross, not only forgave their sins but gave them membership into the new community of Jesus. Thus they have the right to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, so that He might dwell within us as He is in the bread and wine.
On the night of the Passover Jesus demonstrated the “culture of the kingdom” by washing their feet. Then He explained that the “culture of the kingdom” would be marked by “love” and service. He said. The “Son of Man” came not to be served but to serve and give His live as a ransom for man.” This is my new command that you “love one another as I have loved you.” “Serve one another.
Palm Sunday and events of “Holy Week” proclaim a promise of forgiveness that God made to Adam and Eve. God, the Creator of the Universe, was pleased to have all his full deity dwell in Jesus….in order to bring humanity back into harmony and peace by His blood shed on the cross”. (Colossians 1:19-20) As we celebrate this holy sacrament we know that God’s promise to Adam and Eve that a Savior would come, to Abraham, Jacob and his descendants both Jews and “adopted Gentiles”, who have been grafted into the membership of the “family of God” by faith. Sins forgiven. Satan and death defeated. Eternal life is our free gift because Jesus rose from the grave.
Outline:
Palm Sunday “Getting Jesus Right”
Sermon Outline: Palm Sunday Event
• The true King of the Universe enters His holy city and His Temple
• Jesus knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem
• There are three reasons why the death of the King was a must.
o For the “Launch”
o For the “Membership”
o For the “Culture” of the kingdom
For the 1st Launch: “The Children of Abraham” Israel must be redeemed from slavery.
• The Passover demonstrated God’s power over Egyptian gods. The plagues in Egypt prepared and proved to the children of Israel that Moses was God’s servant and they needed to “believe” in Yahweh.
• Those who believed the words of Moses put the ‘”blood of the Passover Lamb’’ on their door frames. This made them members of God’s new people. “Israel”
• Moses built the Tabernacle which was God’s new “dwelling place” in the midst of His people.
Membership: Those who placed blood on the doorframes were saved.
• Membership in the children of Israel, meant that God’s forgiveness was their possession because of the blood of the lamb.
Culture: God gave the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai.
• God’s dwelling place was in the Tabernacle, His Ten Commandments given at Mt. Sinai provided guidelines for a culture of life and behavior. Participation in Passover was an annual reminder of their salvation and identity.
The 2nd Launch: Jesus arrives in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
• The miracles of Jesus and His teachings are “preparations” for the “launch” of a new “holy people of God” made up of both Jews and Gentiles who are grafted into the family of God by faith in blood of Jesus shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-23
Matthew 16:24; John 3:16-19; Galatians 3:10-14; Romans 5:1-2
Membership: Jesus celebrates Passover. He washes the disciples feet and replaces
“Passover” with the “new covenant” of Holy Communion.
• While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28
• The forgiveness and in dwelling of Jesus is for all who live under the “cross and resurrection” of Jesus by faith.
•
Culture: Of the Kingdom of Jesus
• For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
• whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. Mark 10:43-44
• “My command is this: Love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12
• “Be imitators of God and live a life of love, just as Christ love us.” Ephesians 5:1]
