"When Jesus Entered"

Matthew 21:1-11

Palm Sunday; 3/16/08

Introduction: Illus. Amusing Grace, p. 381, #1341. There is a story of a 1^st grade teacher who was overseeing her class as they were working on their computers. One young boy was staring at the screen, unsure how to get his computer going. The teacher walked over to the boy, and in her most assuring voice said: ‘The computer wants to know your name.’ She moved on to the next student expecting the boy to type in his name. Instead, she saw the boy lean toward the screen, and whisper: ‘My name is David.’

Our name is important. It identifies who we are. My name is Christopher Scott Logan. It is a name given to me by my parents. But I am more than my name. I am a son, a husband, a father, and a minister. What we do, and how we act, identifies us just as much as our name. In our scripture this morning, we see Jesus coming into Jerusalem. He is known by some, and not known by others. He is known by His name, and by His actions. And those who don’t know Him will come to know Him as He makes this grand entrance.

I. Jesus was a Prophet- (Matthew 21:1-5, 11; Deuteronomy 18:18)

First, we see that Jesus was a Prophet. Now, a prophet of God was one who

received inspired words from God. Prophets were able to speak God’s truth both in the present, and in the future. They were able to speak of what was to happen, and why it was happening. To be a prophet of God, you had to be able to be 100% correct on your prophecies. A prophet never guessed, because they knew that what they were speaking were words from God Himself and that they would come to be.

As the Son of God, God in the flesh, Jesus played the role of prophet many times, because He knew the mind of God, and therefore new God’s truth. Jesus was able to know that Judas was going to betray Him. And Jesus knew that He was going to go to the cross.

In our scripture this morning, Jesus knows that He is to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, so that He might be seen in a kingly status. But it wasn’t just any donkey. Jesus says His disciples in verses 2-5: “saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’ ⁴This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ⁵"Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'”

Jesus knows that there is a particular donkey that has been set-aside for this purpose. Jesus quotes from the prophet Isaiah, and is speaking this word of truth to His disciples that He is the answer to this prophecy; He is the one who is come to ride this donkey and come into Jerusalem upon her.

Jesus is also seen as a prophet by the people. The Jewish people know that the Messiah will come as a prophet. This is spoken many times in the Old Testament. One place is in Deuteronomy 18:18, which says- “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.” These words are spoken about Jesus as the promised Messiah. And so when they speak these words in Matthew 21:11, “The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee,’” they believed Jesus to be this prophet who would be the Messiah.

This concept of Jesus as prophet has significance. The verse from Deuteronomy 18 was spoken by Moses. Moses was the most powerful figure in the history of the Hebrew people. Many factors constitute this claim. A few samples include: (1) the infancy stories which compare with Jesus, (2) the drama (of Moses’ life), and (3) the miracles (performed by Moses). This same Moses predicted that a special prophet was predestined to arise in the future. The first of two prophecies states: ‘The Lord your God will raise up unto you a Prophet from the midst of you, of your brethren, like unto me; unto him shall you hear’ (Dt 18:15). The second text is from Deuteronomy 18:18 which I have just read to you. The NT provides a clear correlation between "the prophet" predicted by Moses, and Jesus. Probably the most critical text showing that Jesus fulfilled the role of this prophet is the transfiguration episode (Mt 17:1-9). This extraordinary event portrays Jesus in the context of his real power and glory. Meanwhile, the supernatural voice from heaven declared: ‘This is my Son, the beloved, in Him I am well pleased; listen to him.’

The prophet's job was greater than either the king or priest alone. The prophet's office was the closest to God. Consequently, the prophet was God's messenger to the king and to the priest. But the prophets were often mocked and not listened to. Therefore, Prophets had a rough life. We see this to be true for Jesus as well. To do his work a prophet took his own life into his hands. (from “Jesus the Prophet, by Gary Arvidson: found on internet).

So, up to this point in Jesus’ life, much of what He had been doing was that of a Prophet. He had spoken God’s truth to the people in regards to people’s sin, to the way they were misguided in their living, and to the fact that He was the only way to heaven. Jesus spoke the truth of God, so much so, that they often referred to Jesus as one who spoke “with authority.” AS JESUS COMES INTO JERUSALEM, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT the people saw Jesus in this role.

II. Jesus was Messiah- (Matthew 21:6-10; Zechariah 9:9)

Illus. Amusing Grace, p. 406, #1434- “A girl went to school one day and handed her teacher a note. The teacher looked at the note from the girl’s mother and it read: ‘Anne did not do her home work that was due today because I couldn’t understand it.’”

There were many here in Jerusalem, who saw Jesus riding in, who weren’t sure who Jesus was. That is why we read in verse 10, “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’” People suspected that Jesus was someone special, since He was riding on a donkey, and people were shouting out at Him, and they were waving palm branches. But who exactly was He.

You see, they didn’t understand that Jesus was the Messiah. This is the second role that Jesus played. Even those who knew who Jesus was, didn’t fully understand this concept. They weren’t sure how Jesus as Messiah really helped them.

The key is in acknowledging that we need help.

Illus. “The Thief,” Amusing Grace, p. 434, #1621- There is a story of a thief who was robbing a market. An employee, named Curtis Wyatt was in the back. As he came out of the back room he could see that the thief was holding a BB gun. So Curtis tackled the man. The thief then ran to his car with Curtis in pursuit. The thief jumped into his car, and so did Curtis. They were struggling in the speeding car for the next two blocks until the car fell over an embankment and rolled over, with Wyatt falling on top of the thief. At this point, the thief looked at him and said: “Thanks, I was hoping I would get caught.” It seems that the thief had been hooked on drugs, and had been wanting to quit. This was his desperate attempt for help!

This thief realized he needed help. The word Messiah means ‘anointed.’ It is one who is set apart. But it is also in reference to the ONE who would come to ‘redeem,’ or buy back God’s people. To be redeemed means to be purchased from slavery; the slavery of our sin. Once purchased, you are free from your slavery. The help we receive from Christ, is that our freedom from slavery is won by Jesus Christ has done for us. As we know that Jesus gives His life for us, we can understand His fulfillment of this role as Messiah.

Zechariah 9:9 says: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”/ While this verse refers to Jesus as a King, which we will talk about in a moment, it also gives reference to Jesus as Messiah. This reference comes in the phrase “having salvation.” One of the significant aspects of Jesus riding a donkey, was that He was the One sent to redeem the people from their sinfulness which leads to death.

And yet so many of the people didn’t understand this. They were just caught up in the event. They were shouting out “Hosanna,” not even sure why they were doing it. And once the excitement died down some, they then asked: “Who is He?”

This is not uncommon. People can get caught up in coming to church, and hearing about Jesus, but not really knowing who Jesus is. If people don’t really commit themselves to Jesus, and start to change the way they believe, and the way they live, then they will in essence be asking: “Who is He?”

In the book You Gotta Keep Dancin’, author Tim Hansel talks of an elderly man he had a conversation with, who had this to say about his life: “As I get older, I seem to place less importance on material things.” He then paused, thought for a moment, and continued, “Come to think of it, I place less importance on importance.” What should be important in our life, is Jesus, and the fact that as Messiah, Jesus saves us from our sin. Nothing else is really important compared to this.

III. Jesus was a King- (Matthew 21:9; John 19:21, 33-36; Isaiah 9:6-7)

A third role that Jesus played was that of King. We see in verse 9 that people are shouting out to Jesus and waving palm branches. They give reference to Jesus as “the Son of David.” Of course, they are referring to King David. And as “the son of David,” Jesus would be a king as well. And as king, he would be the king of the Jews, the commander-in-chief of the army, the supreme judge, and the master of all. He was also God’s anointed, which all kings were anointed in the name of God before they became king. He was to carry out God’s will for His people.

For the people, for Jesus to be king, was to be a conqueror. They wanted a king who could free them from the tyranny that they were experiencing from the Romans. They believed that Jesus could be the king who would lead them out of this oppression and into their own national status.

But this was all misunderstood. Jesus was not a conqueror; he came in peace. A king who was riding on a donkey was a sign that he was coming in peace. When

Jesus was put on trial, we see how this whole idea of Him being king was misunderstood. In John 19:21, the chief priests were accusing Him of being the “King of the Jews,” so that Pilate would find him worthy of death. They were using His own words of being a king, and his own actions of appearing as a king against him. We then read in John 19:33-36, “Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" ³⁴"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" ³⁵"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" ³⁶Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” Jesus was not about being a conqueror. Jesus was king in that He was God; God in the flesh. God come to lead His people out of their sin, into heaven.

For Jesus, being a king wasn’t about conquering all nations by force. For Jesus, it was about leading them in love, and in truth, and in peace. Jesus was there to be Lord of all, but in the spiritual sense, not the earthly, physical sense.

We see this stated in Isaiah 9:6-7, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” We see that these ideas of being king, and reigning in peace are referenced many times here, with the phrases: Prince of Peace; increase of his government; there will be no end to peace; reign on David’s throne; over his kingdom./ Jesus is a king, but Jesus is a king of peace. Jesus is a king, but Jesus is king in the heavenly realm. And because of this, Jesus is a king like no other. He is not a king who tries to gain power and control, but a king who passes on love and peace. He is not a king for his own selfish purposes, but a king who selflessly gives Himself up for others. THIS IS THE KING WHO IS RIDING INTO JERUSALEM ON A DONKEY. THIS IS THE KING TO WHOM THE PEOPLE ARE GIVING UP SHOUTS OF “HOSANNA.”

Poem: “Jesus.” He is more than a keepsake to be hidden away. He is the Keeper of my life, keeping me each day. He is more than an heirloom, that’s handed down to me. He has made me an heir to His royal family. He is more than a companion, who walks by my side. He is the light leading before me; He is my guide. He is more than a servant, fulfilling all my whims. He is my Lord and my master, with me serving Him. He is more than a man who lived and walked the earth. He is King of the universe from a holy birth. He is more than a stranger who comes to eat and rest. He’s the Host of a heavenly banquet—I’m His guest. He’s the reason for living: I in Him—He in me. Jesus is my all in all throughout eternity.

Conclusion: The author I spoke of earlier, Tim Hansel, had a bad mountain climbing accident, which left him in considerable, continual pain. But the marvelous aspect of Tim Hansel, is that he believes that he can still experience joy in his life. He doesn’t use the constant pain that he experiences as an excuse to not find joy. And so he says these words: “I don’t know how much string is left on my ball of twine. There are no guarantees as to how long any of us will live, but I know that I would rather make my days count than count my days.”

Even though Jesus is a Prophet, who speaks the truth of God, and the Messiah who redeems us, and a King who leads us into peace, He is also the answer to life’s greatest questions. And yet, you may find yourself in situations when you feel it isn’t making a difference. But if this is true, then it is because you are not understanding who Jesus really is.

I hope that this sermon this morning has helped you to understand that Jesus can be all things to you at all times. I hope that you can picture Jesus riding into Jerusalem as One who can claim to be the Lord of your life, who can give you God’s truth, and can free you from all burdens. ON THIS PALM SUNDAY, shout out “Hosanna,” to the one who is our “all in all.” Amen.