Mark 11: 1-11
Jerusalem in 30 A.D. was a time of excitement.
Jesus is coming to town. Some say he’s a great teacher. Others, a great healer. Still others say he’s the Messiah, come to lead the people of Judea against the awesome might of Rome.
The account of Palm Sunday is one of the few events in the New Testament that is recorded in all four gospels. It’s an important event that we should study. We need to know a few things.
Let’s answer three questions today:
How did Jesus come into the city?
It was time for the Passover celebration. The Passover was one of the three feasts that Jews were supposed to attend in Jerusalem. Because of this, EVERYONE was in the City. The normal population was 20,000 but during Passover it was nearly 150,000 - it was packed.
Jesus was very well known. At this point in his ministry, he was probably the most famous person around. He could have come into the City like a hero! But He didn’t. He actually did something so strange…
Mark 11: 7
It’s interesting. Jesus and his followers had probably come by foot all the way from Galilee. But now for the last two miles Jesus decided to ride a donkey. Why?
Zechariah 9: 9
500 years before Jesus was born, Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a humble donkey.
Jesus didn’t ride in an ornate chariot or on a large and imposing horse. He rode a young donkey, a small donkey, an insignificant animal.
Why? Only 5 days later, this same crowd that was praising Jesus would be mocking Him. He would be spat on, beaten, mocked, jeered and nailed to a cross. The donkey was a beast of burden. Jesus was going to carry the burden of our sin on His back.
How did Jesus come into the City? The same way He was going to leave. As a humble servant.
Luke 14:11
Jesus only practiced that which he preached.
Next question…
How did the Crowd React to Jesus?
Let’s look how John remembers the day:
John 12: 13
This where we get the term Palm Sunday. John says they took branches and started waving them in celebration.
Mark says that some people put they clothing down on the ground for the Donkey to walk on. Back then, this is how they would honor a King. Many in the crowd were welcoming a king. They anticipated that he would lead an insurrection against the established order. They did not realize his kingdom was not of this world.
This moment in scripture really humbles me. How often have I praised God when things are going great, and then questioned God when I didn’t understand His plan.
Jesus was being worshipped by the crowds, but in a few days these same people who are singing, “Hosanna” will be shouting for him to be crucified.
We judge these people too harshly. We may be tempted to think, I’ll serve Jesus no matter what comes my way. Really? Let’s remember, not even those who seemed to be close to Christ remained faithful when the crowd turned against him. One of his disciples denied him and another betrayed him with a kiss.
Let me tell you, it’s better to confess Jesus now, and give up the world than to have the world now and lose your soul.
Listen to how Jesus described this concept:
Matthew 13: 24-30
But then Jesus said the weeds and the wheat grow together and at the harvest they will be separated. I am not naive to think that even in this room we have people who look the part, but they aren’t really following Jesus. He is calling to you today.
On that day when they were waving branches and welcoming a King, I am sure there were some people there just out of mere curiosity. They were just following the crowd. They saw the excitement and wondered what was going on and just started shouting like the others.
The same thing happens with churches. Some people are attracted to church because their friends are there. Or maybe they hear that good things are happening there.
But coming to be a spectator isn’t enough. We must have a desire to know God. To believe in Jesus. Confess our sinfulness. Surrender our lives. And to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
So we know how Jesus came into the city: humility and on a mission to reach and save the lost. We know why the people were there: they wanted to see a spectacle and hopefully get something out of it.
But let me ask this final question today:
Why are you here today?
Jesus asked people a question one day and I think it’s a good one for us this morning as we consider Palm Sunday.
Matthew 16: 15-17
Who do you say Jesus is? We might come to church for all sorts of reasons. Some of us look forward to seeing friends who’ve become our family. Others are here for a donut! Maybe you’re here because someone made you come.
Me - I’m here for Jesus. He changed my life. He IS actively changing my life.
I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that Jesus lived and died so that I can never really die. I know that I am not perfect. In fact, the enemy loves to remind me of my failures. Jesus saves me. He makes all my imperfections right.
God accepts me because Jesus loves me. I have faith in Jesus.
Romans 5: 1
Peace is a powerful gift. The opposite of peace is chaos and war.
When Jesus rode into town that day, He was on a mission to save you.
Phillipians 2: 6-11
Why are you here today? It’s not an accident: God wanted to remind you about His Son Jesus who came as a humble servant to seek and save the lost.
Who is the lost? In a way, it’s all of us, we all need more direction from the Lord today. Some need to have faith for the first time
Romans 10: 9-10
Some here need to confess:
1 John 1: 9
Some need to renew their commitment to follow Jesus
Romans 12: 2
The Holy Spirit of God is here to bring salvation, healing, forgiveness, hope, and renewal to all who would call on Him. You don’t have to leave here the same today.