Embracing the Light: Jesus' Triumphal Entry and Servanthood
Summary
In my sermon, I began by setting the stage for the significance of Holy Week, emphasizing the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as a pivotal moment in biblical history. I referred to this event as "The Great Reveal," highlighting that this was the time when Jesus openly approached Jerusalem, no longer instructing His disciples to keep His miracles a secret. This marked the beginning of a series of events leading to the crucifixion and resurrection, which we would be commemorating in the coming days.
I then encouraged those who had not been baptized to consider doing so on Easter Sunday, a day symbolizing new life and resurrection. Moving into the scripture, I recounted the story of Jesus at Bethany, where He was anointed by Mary with expensive perfume, a gesture of profound love and sacrifice. This act was a precursor to His burial, and it demonstrated Mary's deep gratitude and recognition of who Jesus was.
I also touched upon the theme of light and darkness, drawing from John 12 and John 3, where Jesus spoke about the importance of living in the light. I urged the congregation to walk in the light, as Jesus is the light of the world, and to reject the darkness of sin and fear.
The sermon continued with the account of the triumphal entry, where I explained the cultural significance of the palm branches and the crowd's cries of "Hosanna." I clarified that while the people sought an earthly king to deliver them from Roman rule, Jesus came as a humble servant on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah and subverting their expectations of a political savior.
I also discussed the confusion and disillusionment of the disciples, who had hoped for an earthly kingdom and struggled to understand the unfolding events. I reassured the congregation that, like the disciples, we may not always understand God's plan in the moment, but we can trust that He is working for our good.
Finally, I concluded with the reminder that Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was not the end but the beginning of a transformation that would culminate in His death and resurrection, offering salvation to all.
Key Takeaways:
1. The triumphal entry, often celebrated as Palm Sunday, was a moment of "The Great Reveal" where Jesus openly entered Jerusalem, signifying His readiness to fulfill His mission. This event challenges us to consider how we openly acknowledge and reveal Christ in our lives, encouraging us to live transparently in our faith. [33:01]
2. The act of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume exemplifies a life poured out in love and sacrifice for Christ. It prompts us to reflect on the depth of our devotion and the sacrifices we are willing to make to honor our Savior. This act of love is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of Jesus' forgiveness and grace in our lives. [43:54]
3. Living in the light, as Jesus instructs, means actively choosing to reject the darkness of sin and fear. It involves a conscious decision to follow Christ and to be seen plainly as children of God. This choice is a daily commitment to walk in His truth and to allow our lives to reflect His light to the world. [01:05:37]
4. The confusion of the disciples during the triumphal entry reminds us that God's ways are not always immediately clear to us. We are called to trust in God's greater plan, even when our current circumstances seem perplexing or challenging. Our faith is often strengthened in these times of uncertainty as we learn to rely on God's promises and timing. [53:09]
5. Jesus' humble approach to Jerusalem on a donkey, as opposed to a warhorse, signifies His role as a servant king. This serves as a model for us to embrace humility and servanthood in our own lives, recognizing that true leadership and greatness in God's kingdom are found in serving others. [51:54]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 12:12-19 (The Triumphal Entry)
2. John 12:1-8 (Jesus Anointed at Bethany)
3. John 3:19-21 (Living in the Light)
#### Observation Questions
1. What significant event does John 12:12-19 describe, and why is it referred to as "The Great Reveal"? ([33:01])
2. In John 12:1-8, what does Mary do for Jesus, and how does Jesus interpret her actions? ([35:07])
3. According to John 3:19-21, what is the contrast between light and darkness, and how does it relate to Jesus' teachings? ([01:04:59])
4. How did the crowd react to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and what were their expectations of Him? ([48:02])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey, and what message was He conveying through this act? ([51:54])
2. How does Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume reflect her understanding of Jesus' mission and identity? ([41:57])
3. What does it mean to "walk in the light" according to Jesus' teachings in John 3:19-21, and how does this challenge our daily choices? ([01:04:59])
4. How did the disciples' confusion during the triumphal entry illustrate their misunderstanding of Jesus' mission, and what can we learn from their experience? ([53:09])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. How can you openly acknowledge and reveal Christ in your daily life, especially in situations where it might be challenging? ([33:01])
2. Mary anointed Jesus with a costly perfume as an act of love and sacrifice. What are some ways you can demonstrate your devotion to Jesus through acts of love and sacrifice in your own life? ([41:57])
3. Jesus calls us to live in the light and reject the darkness of sin and fear. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with darkness. What steps can you take this week to walk more fully in the light? ([01:05:37])
4. The disciples were confused and disillusioned by the events of Holy Week. Think of a time when you didn't understand God's plan. How did you respond, and what did you learn about trusting God's greater plan? ([53:09])
5. Jesus entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey, modeling servanthood. How can you embrace humility and servanthood in your interactions with others this week? ([51:54])
6. The crowd's expectations of Jesus were different from His actual mission. Are there areas in your life where your expectations of God might not align with His plans? How can you align your expectations with God's will? ([48:02])
7. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem marked the beginning of a transformation leading to His death and resurrection. How can you prepare your heart for transformation during this Holy Week, and what specific actions will you take to deepen your faith? ([33:01])
Devotional
Day 1: Revealing Christ in Our Lives
The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, known as Palm Sunday, was a momentous occasion where He openly declared His mission. This event invites believers to consider how they can similarly reveal Christ in their own lives. It's a call to live transparently in faith, allowing one's actions and words to reflect the love and truth of Jesus. It's about being bold in one's Christian identity and finding ways to express that identity in everyday interactions and decisions. This openness can be challenging, but it is essential for living an authentic Christian life. [33:01]
"Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." - Zechariah 9:9
Reflection: How can you more openly acknowledge and reveal Christ in your daily life, and what specific action can you take this week to demonstrate your faith to others?
Day 2: Devotion Expressed Through Sacrifice
Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume is a profound example of devotion and sacrifice. It challenges believers to reflect on the depth of their own devotion to Christ and the sacrifices they are willing to make in His honor. This act of love is not just about the physical pouring out of perfume, but also about the pouring out of one's heart and resources for the sake of the Savior. It's a call to examine personal priorities and to consider what one values most. True devotion may require giving up something precious, but it is in this giving that one finds a deeper connection with Christ and His transformative grace. [43:54]
"And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head." - Mark 14:3
Reflection: What is one thing you hold dear that you can offer to God as a symbol of your devotion, and how can this act of sacrifice deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 3: Choosing to Walk in the Light
Jesus' teachings about living in the light call for a deliberate choice to reject the darkness of sin and fear. To walk in the light is to make a conscious decision to follow Christ and to be seen plainly as children of God. This choice involves daily commitment to His truth and allowing one's life to reflect His light to the world. It's about transparency, honesty, and integrity in all areas of life. Walking in the light means not hiding one's faith or compromising one's values but instead living in a way that clearly shows one's allegiance to Jesus. [01:05:37]
"But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." - John 3:21
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to reject darkness and fear, and how can you actively choose to walk in the light starting today?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Greater Plan
The confusion of the disciples during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem serves as a reminder that God's ways are not always immediately clear. Believers are called to trust in God's greater plan, even when circumstances are perplexing or challenging. This trust is not passive; it's an active reliance on God's promises and timing. It's about having faith that God is working for one's good, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Trusting in God's plan often requires patience and the willingness to let go of one's own expectations, embracing the journey God has laid out. [53:09]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9
Reflection: Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to trust God's plan more fully, and what practical step can you take to relinquish control and rely on His guidance?
Day 5: Embracing Humility and Servanthood
Jesus' humble approach to Jerusalem on a donkey, as opposed to a warhorse, signifies His role as a servant king. This act is a model for believers to embrace humility and servanthood in their own lives. True leadership and greatness in God's kingdom are found not in seeking power or status but in serving others. It's about putting the needs of others before one's own, seeking to uplift and support rather than dominate or control. Embracing this servant-hearted approach can transform relationships and communities, reflecting the love and humility of Christ. [51:54]
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." - Philippians 2:5-7
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate humility and servanthood in your daily interactions, and who is one person you can serve this week in a manner that reflects Jesus' example?
Quotes
1. "Jesus is getting close to Jerusalem again of course the Passover Mike taught a couple of weeks ago is one of the the three events where many people come and make a pilgrimage so to speak to Jerusalem and so there were thousands of people in Jerusalem the the population at that time of Jerusalem was around 50,000 people during Passover it would swell to 150,000 people." [45:28]
2. "Mary's sacrifice and had saved and had spent a lot of money to show her Lord how much she she loved him and of course it becomes known symbolically as Jesus's burial preparation right when they had when they actually prepared a body for burial there was a process they went through and there were ointments and perfumes and and Jesus sees it as this is his ceremonial preparation this is the beginning of his death." [43:54]
3. "Jesus says that in order if you want to follow me you have to die and you have to live in the light and he says that that they chose the darkness rather than the light so as we're kicking off Holy Week as we're kicking off this this season here at Genesis Church let's live in the light no longer no longer live in the darkness." [01:05:37]
4. "At first his disciples did not understand all this only after Jesus was glorified did they realize these things had been written about him I I I love that that is in there because isn't that true of us we're we're going we wake up we're going to work we go we go through life and many days our perspective is shunted by only the here and now." [53:09]
5. "Jesus is about to change their whole perspective he's about to change their whole dichotomy he's about to change their whole world and throw it upside down we don't have time this morning but he goes into the temple courts and he upsets the money changers doesn't he that's that's where he heads when he comes into Jerusalem the first stop he goes to is the temple and he throws the whole place into disarray says my house will be a House of Prayer." [58:25]
6. "Jesus had just raised him from the dead and now the chief priests and their infinite might think they can kill Lazarus you know it's just the it's the um the ego of man or the pride of man is just on full display there that the the the chief priests think they can take care of them even though God had just raised him from the dead." [46:43]
7. "Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it as it is written do not be afraid daughter daughter Zion see your king is coming Seated on a donkey's cult and so this is John uh puts this in here to represent Zechariah 99 and this is the scripture that Jesus fulfills when he comes into Jerusalem see your king is coming Seated on a donkey's cult." [51:54]
8. "The hour has come for the son of man to be glorified this is the kicking off point this is the change this is the difference everything before this when a miracle had happened or Jesus did something he said go go away basically don't make a big deal about this the hour is not yet the time is not come now the hour has come Jesus has come to Jerusalem." [59:39]
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