Embracing Jesus: Kingship, Sacrifice, and His Return
Summary
In my sermon today, I explored the profound significance of Palm Sunday, delving into its historical and prophetic context and its implications for our lives as believers. I began by reflecting on the powerful imagery of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, where the crowds greeted Him with palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna," which means "save us." This event was not only a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, as foretold by Zechariah, but also a foreshadowing of Jesus' second coming.
I emphasized that the expectations of the people in Jesus' time were focused on immediate deliverance from Roman oppression, but Jesus' mission was far greater—He came to save us from our sins. This misunderstanding led to the same crowd that hailed Him as King to call for His crucifixion just a week later. I challenged the congregation to consider their own expectations of Jesus and whether they align with His true purpose.
I also discussed the role of Jesus as our High Priest, who offered Himself as a once-and-for-all sacrifice for our sins, contrasting this with the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament. This act of ultimate love and sacrifice brings us back into a relationship with God, something we could never achieve on our own.
Furthermore, I spoke about the nature of Jesus' kingship, highlighting His qualities of righteousness, salvation, and meekness. I reminded the congregation that Jesus invites us to take His yoke upon us, promising that His burden is light. In doing so, He walks alongside us, sharing our burdens and granting us rest for our souls.
Finally, I turned our attention to the future, to the promise of Jesus' return. I painted a vivid picture of His second coming, not as a humble man on a donkey, but as the triumphant King of Kings on a white horse, ready to judge the nations and establish His eternal kingdom. I closed by inviting the congregation to ensure that Jesus has the triumphal entry into their hearts and to live in readiness for His return.
Key Takeaways:
- Palm Sunday serves as a reminder that Jesus' kingship defies our worldly expectations and desires. He did not come to fulfill our temporal wishes but to accomplish a divine plan of salvation. As believers, we must align our desires with God's will, trusting that His ways are higher than ours. [32:49]
- The fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' triumphal entry is a testament to the reliability of God's Word. If the prophecies of His first coming were fulfilled with such precision, we can have absolute confidence that His promises regarding the second coming will also come to pass. This assurance should shape our lives and our hope for the future. [49:41]
- Jesus' sacrifice as the High Priest signifies the end of the need for repeated sacrifices for atonement. His one-time sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to atone for all our sins, once and for all. This truth should lead us to a deep sense of gratitude and a commitment to live a life that honors His sacrifice. [39:08]
- The meekness of Jesus is not a sign of weakness but of strength under control. He invites us to learn from Him and find rest in His gentle and humble heart. In our moments of struggle, we can find solace in the fact that Jesus is yoked with us, bearing our burdens and guiding us with His steadfast love. [47:12]
- The anticipation of Jesus' return should not only fill us with excitement but also motivate us to live in a manner worthy of His kingdom. As we await the sound of the trumpet and His triumphant return, let us be diligent in our faith, spreading the gospel, and living out the love of Christ in our daily lives. [58:15]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 12:12-16 (NIV)
> The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
2. Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
> Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
3. 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
> For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
#### Observation Questions
1. What did the crowd shout as Jesus entered Jerusalem, and what does "Hosanna" mean? ([28:58])
2. How did Jesus fulfill the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem? ([29:37])
3. According to 1 Peter 3:18, what was the purpose of Christ's suffering and death? ([39:08])
4. What was the crowd's reaction to Jesus a week after His triumphal entry, and why did their attitude change? ([31:04])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the crowd's misunderstanding of Jesus' mission reflect our own expectations of Him today? ([32:15])
2. What does Jesus' role as our High Priest, who offered Himself once for all, mean for our understanding of salvation and atonement? ([39:08])
3. How does the imagery of Jesus' second coming as a triumphant King on a white horse contrast with His first coming on a donkey? ([50:25])
4. In what ways does Jesus' meekness demonstrate strength, and how can we apply this understanding to our own lives? ([44:47])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own expectations of Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you might be expecting Him to fulfill your temporal wishes rather than His divine plan? How can you align your desires with God's will? ([32:15])
2. Considering the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' triumphal entry, how does this strengthen your confidence in God's Word and His promises for the future? ([49:41])
3. Jesus' sacrifice as the High Priest was a once-and-for-all atonement for our sins. How does this truth impact your daily life and your sense of gratitude? ([39:08])
4. In moments of struggle, how can you find rest in Jesus' gentle and humble heart? What practical steps can you take to trust Him more with your burdens? ([47:12])
5. The anticipation of Jesus' return should motivate us to live in a manner worthy of His kingdom. What specific actions can you take this week to spread the gospel and live out the love of Christ in your daily interactions? ([58:15])
6. Reflect on a time when you felt disappointed because God did not meet your expectations. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience about trusting in God's timing and purpose? ([32:49])
7. How can you ensure that Jesus has a triumphal entry into your heart daily, and what changes might you need to make to live in readiness for His return? ([01:02:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Desires with Divine Purpose
The celebration of Palm Sunday is a powerful reminder that the expectations we hold for Jesus can often be rooted in our worldly desires rather than His divine purpose. While the people of Jerusalem sought a king to overthrow Roman rule, Jesus came to establish a kingdom not of this world, one that would reign in the hearts of believers and offer eternal salvation. This calls for a reevaluation of personal expectations and desires, aligning them with the will of God, which surpasses all understanding. It is a call to trust in God's greater plan, even when it diverges from personal hopes or the immediate solutions one might seek.
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered," (1 Chronicles 16:11-12, ESV).
Reflection: How can you adjust your current prayers to reflect a greater trust in God's plan rather than your own desires?
Day 2: Trusting in the Certainty of God's Promises
The fulfillment of ancient prophecies through Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem serves as a steadfast assurance of the reliability of God's Word. Just as the prophecies of His first coming were realized with remarkable accuracy, believers can hold unwavering confidence in the promises of His second coming. This certainty should not only provide comfort but also actively shape the way one lives, fostering a hope that is both vibrant and transformative, influencing daily actions and interactions with others.
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness," (Lamentations 3:21-23, ESV).
Reflection: In what practical ways can you demonstrate your trust in God's faithfulness and promises in your daily life?
Day 3: Gratitude for the Ultimate Sacrifice
The concept of Jesus as the High Priest who offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin is central to the Christian faith. This once-and-for-all sacrifice brought an end to the cycle of atonement rituals of the Old Testament, offering believers a permanent reconciliation with God. Understanding the magnitude of this sacrifice should evoke a profound sense of gratitude and a commitment to honor this gift through a life that reflects the love and sacrifice of Christ.
"For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf," (Hebrews 9:24, ESV).
Reflection: How can you live out a sense of gratitude for Christ's sacrifice in your interactions with others today?
Day 4: Strength in Meekness and Rest for the Soul
Jesus' meekness, often misunderstood as weakness, is in fact a demonstration of strength under control. He invites believers to learn from His gentle and humble heart, offering rest for weary souls. This invitation is not just to observe His life but to actively participate in it, taking His yoke upon oneself. In doing so, one finds solace and strength, knowing that Jesus shares in the burdens and guides with steadfast love.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls," (Matthew 11:29, ESV).
Reflection: What burden are you carrying today that you can entrust to Jesus, allowing His strength and gentleness to bring you rest?
Day 5: Living in Anticipation of the King's Return
The anticipation of Jesus' return should be a source of excitement and a catalyst for living a life that is reflective of His kingdom values. This means being diligent in faith, actively spreading the gospel, and embodying the love of Christ in every aspect of life. The promise of His triumphant return as the King of Kings should motivate believers to live with purpose and readiness, ensuring that their lives are a testament to the hope they carry within.
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ," (1 Peter 1:13, ESV).
Reflection: What is one action you can take today to prepare your heart and mind for Jesus' return, demonstrating your anticipation of His kingdom?
Quotes
"When he says my yoke is easy, all he's saying is this: hey guys, listen to this, you have a yoke, two animals right, and they're walking together, that's why they're yoked. And Jesus is saying, listen, you're going to have your yoke, I'm not going to take you from under it, I'm not going to take it away from you, all I'm going to do is I'm going to put myself on this side and I am going to carry with you, heck, I am going to carry all the weight if you let me." [47:12]
"What he doesn't do is fail us, ever. No matter how many times we fail him, he won't fail us. He saves, and I put in parenthesis Victorious because if you look at different translations sometimes it will be translated he is Victorious. The same word from the Hebrew is coming to be he's Victorious over sin which equals to Salvation, he saves us." [43:16]
"Jesus himself confirmed in Matthew 5:19, 'Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.' I'm a fulfillment of Zechariah, guys. I am him, I am the king. No, I am not going to take care of the Romans right now, but there will come a day where I will take care of all the governments in the world, and there will be only one King on Earth, and that will be me." [49:02]
"Here's the real reason for Palm Sunday: in his coming to Jerusalem on that day before he was crucified, his purpose was to sacrifice his life for you and I. But when he comes again, as I already said, he's coming back to claim the fruit of his sacrifice. Are you that? And so as I finish, can I ask you, are you allowing Jesus to have the triumphal entry of your heart today?" [01:02:13]
"Jesus is coming again to judge the Nations, this time on a horse. Do you believe that's going to happen? All that's got to happen is for the trumpet to sound, that's it. And when that trumpet sounds, we will go with him. There will be that time where the church will be taken up to heaven with him. I'm waiting for that trumpet to sound." [58:15]
"The Lord will be king over the whole earth, and on that day there will be one Lord. From the perspective of the world, how many lords are there today? People have all kinds of lords everywhere. But I'm gonna tell you, on that day, on those thousand years, if you are a child of God here today, you will be reigning with Jesus." [59:35]
"Promises, anybody been there? We've all done it. You know, if you do this, if you do that, and then he does that, and what do you do? You might raise the palm for one week and then you put it back down until the next thing you want. That's who we are, that's human nature. But what he doesn't do is fail us, ever." [42:35]
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the spirit. This is significant because it was the spirit that brought Jesus back to life. So not only is he speaking here about his death, he's speaking about his resurrection." [39:08]
"Jesus found a donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 'Do not be afraid, daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt.' So John is saying, whoa, wait a minute, so the king from the prophecy of Zechariah is the king that just came in, hence why they took the branches and they were saying 'Hosanna!'" [37:43]
"Jesus came into Jerusalem and he had done all the things he had done, they were ready to accept him as a king, as long as politically he took care of what they needed. But that wasn't going to happen right then and there. And in fact, some Jews to this day are still very confused about that and they're still waiting for that Messiah." [34:41]
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