Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Do you wonder if we should be joining in the (Palm Sunday) song the people were singing?
• These people sang this song but then several days later cried out Crucify Him
• For many - there praise was fickle and the were caught up in the moment
• Their worship was insincere and did not come from the heart
• They wanted a king to overthrow the Romans
• They were crying out Hosanna - Lord save us, but they wanted a physical saving
• They were not worshiping Him as Lord and Saviour
• Should we be joining in?
• There were some in the crowd who were sincere
• It is right and proper we sing these words - but have we sung with understanding
• We sing with our heart towards God and our minds engaged
• Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?
• Is your worship sincere?
• Overview:
• His Royal Leadership
• His Humble Majesty
• The Response - the crowd, the pharisees, our response

His Royal Leadership

• Overview of upcoming events - His death and resurrection
• It is His final week
• John 12:1
• He has come from Jericho were the blind Bartimaeus called out 'Son of David'
• Jesus had made the 16 mile walk from Jericho to Jerusalem
• He went ahead of the disciples
• He had set His face as flint / steadfastly to the place of death
• He is obedient to His Father
• He is going alone to the cross - His disciples will abandon or betray Him
• He goes ahead as a Captain and a Good Shepherd
• He goes into battle on the cross to set us free
• What a glorious Saviour - He needed no help!
• He is orchestrating all things
• Mary had anointed His body ready for burial
• He was spending time with His close friends
• John 12:9
• There was a colt / donkey reserved for Him
• Zech 9:9
• He tells His disciples what to say and there is power in the words of Christ
• He fulfills ancient Scripture as prophesied by Zechariah 500 years before
• We see His omniscience
• He knew the donkey was there
• Example of Nathaniel
• The Lord 'needs' the donkey
• God is in need of nothing
• We cannot add anything to God
• Yet God chooses to use us
• Example of using a boy's lunch to perform a miracle, the disciples boat, using fisherman
• He wants to use us
• Jesus needed a virgin womb (Isa 7:14), a new colt (Zech 9:9), a new tomb (Isa 53:9)
• Do you ever see Jesus as a victim or a royal leader?
• See a gracious Saviour
• He is patient and tender
• Come to Him - day is the day of salvation

His Humble Majesty

• A donkey - not a stallion or war house
• Consider the red carpet treatment of Royalty
• Jesus comes meekly with no pomp or ceremony
• Simple beauty as people took off their coats and cut down palm branches to line the way
• His birth was humble
• Growing up He had nowhere to lay His head
• The tax collectors and sinners saw His gentleness and graciousness
• Are you burdened and restless?
• Are you ashamed of your sin?
• We have a gentle Saviour who will receive all who come to Him
• The children were singing Jesus' praise

The Response

The Crowds

• They are praising Jesus for the things they have seen - miracles (v37)
• They have seen Jesus' power
• They say "

  Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

• They now use the name 'Son of David'
• See also Matthew, Mark and John - this passage is found in all 4 gospels, which is unusual and important
• Sadly, many are just caught up in the moment
• We do see this in Christendom - examples
• Reading Ps 24:7-10
• Jesus is not a mighty warrior, a political leader who will fight with the sword
• But a might warrior who will defeat Satan at the cross and set His people free
• Luke 19:48 - there were some who meant this blessing and were attentive to Him
• What does the blessing mean?
• We cannot bless God
• However, we return love to Him as He first loved us
• What does peace in heaven mean?
• It might remind you of the Christmas song
• There is perfect harmony in heaven
• Peace because sin is being propitiated

The Pharisees

• They want Jesus to rebuke His disciples (v39)
• They do not understand
• They do not want to hear the truth
• The heart of man is hostile and rebellious
• Unless the Spirit of God is working in their heart
• Jesus said if they were to be silent - the rocks would cry out
• Maybe metaphorical language
• But there is significance in stones - the temple stones, the rocks split at crucifixion, the tomb with the great stone

Our Response

• What is your response?
• What are you going to do with the message this morning?
• Will you worship Jesus?
• He will save you from sin
• He will give you a new heart
• He is one who loves sinners
• If you do not praise Him - the stones will
• When He comes again - there will be a time of judgment when people will call for the stones to fall upon them
• Come to Him now
• Cry out Hosanna