Embracing the Upside-Down Kingdom of God

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Humility in Authority

Humility is often misunderstood as weakness, yet it is the cornerstone of true strength and leadership. Jesus' choice to enter Jerusalem on a donkey, a humble beast of burden, rather than a warhorse, speaks volumes about the nature of His kingship. It was a deliberate act to redefine what it means to be powerful and victorious. In a world that often equates power with force and dominance, Jesus presents an alternative vision: one where authority is exercised with gentleness and sacrifice. This act of humility was not just a momentary gesture but a reflection of His entire earthly ministry, which culminated in the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

The Kingdom of God operates on principles that are often at odds with those of the world. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this same humility in our lives. This means setting aside our pride, our desire for control, and our quest for recognition, and instead, serving others with a quiet strength that seeks their good above our own. It is in this counterintuitive lowering of ourselves that we are raised to true greatness in the eyes of God.

Philippians 2:5-8: "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. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate Christ-like humility in your spheres of influence, and how might this change the way others perceive strength and leadership?

Day 2: Power and Fear in the Face of Change

The Pharisees' reaction to Jesus' growing influence is a stark reminder of how fear can blind us to the work of God. They were so entrenched in their positions of power and so fearful of losing their status that they could not recognize the Messiah in their midst. Their actions serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of clinging to earthly power and the fear of its loss. As believers, we are called to a different standard—one that embraces the transformative power of sacrificial love. This love liberates and brings life, challenging us to let go of our own desires for control and recognition.

In the face of change or challenge, it is tempting to hold on tightly to what we know, even if it means missing out on the new things God is doing. The call to follow Jesus is a call to trust in His ways, even when they seem to threaten our comfort or security. It is a journey of faith that requires us to lay down our fears and embrace a kingdom that is not of this world.

Matthew 16:25-26: "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"

Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where fear of change or loss is preventing you from fully embracing God's will? How can you begin to release that fear and trust in His perfect love?

Day 3: The Shepherd's Sacrificial Leadership

The image of Jesus as the shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep is a profound model of leadership and care. In contrast to the self-serving leaders of the world, Jesus demonstrates what it means to prioritize the well-being of others above oneself. This shepherd-like care is not limited to spiritual leaders but extends to all areas of influence, including the workplace, family, and community. It calls for a leadership style that is attentive, protective, and self-sacrificial.

As members of Christ's body, we are each called to lead in various capacities. This leadership should mirror the heart of the Good Shepherd, who knows His sheep by name and is willing to lay down His life for them. It is a leadership that is marked not by the pursuit of personal gain but by the desire to serve and uplift those entrusted to our care.

John 10:14-15: "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Reflection: Reflect on your current leadership roles. How can you more fully embody the sacrificial and caring heart of the Good Shepherd in these positions?

Day 4: Counter-Cultural Kingdom Values

The Kingdom of God is marked by values that often run counter to those of the world. Where the world seeks power, the Kingdom seeks humility. Where the world seeks vengeance, the Kingdom offers forgiveness. Where the world seeks deception, the Kingdom upholds truth. Where the world seeks self-interest, the Kingdom pursues justice. As citizens of this heavenly kingdom, we are called to live out these values in our daily lives, becoming beacons of God's transformative presence in the world.

Living out kingdom values means making choices that may not always align with societal norms or expectations. It requires a commitment to follow Jesus' example, even when it is countercultural or difficult. By doing so, we testify to the reality of God's reign in our lives and invite others to experience the radical love and grace that define His kingdom.

1 Peter 2:9-10: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can live out a kingdom value that contrasts with a worldly value in your context this week?

Day 5: Resurrection Hope in Daily Living

The anticipation of Jesus' resurrection at Easter is a powerful reminder that our hope is not in escaping this world but in living out the reality of the resurrection here and now. The resurrection is not just a future event to look forward to; it is a present reality that should shape how we live our lives today. As we await Jesus' return, our lives should be a testament to the victory and life found in Him, impacting the world around us with the hope of the gospel.

Living in light of the resurrection means embracing a life of hope, purpose, and transformation. It means allowing the power of the risen Christ to work within us, changing us from the inside out and enabling us to be agents of His love and grace in a broken world.

Colossians 3:1-3: "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: How does the hope of the resurrection influence your daily decisions and interactions, and how can you more intentionally live out this hope in your community?

Sermon Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound nature of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, an event that not only fulfilled ancient prophecies but also revealed the upside-down nature of the Kingdom of God. We delved into the historical context of Israel's past, from the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar to the return from exile under Persian rule. This backdrop set the stage for understanding the significance of Jesus' arrival on a donkey, as foretold by the prophet Zechariah.

We reflected on the symbolism of Jesus choosing a donkey instead of a warhorse, which would have been expected of a conquering king. This choice highlighted Jesus' humility and his role as a shepherd coming to save his sheep. We are those sheep, having gone astray, yet Jesus calls us back into the fold.

The sermon emphasized the clash of kingdoms that Jesus' entry represented—not just a political or military clash, but a spiritual battle between light and darkness, good and evil. Jesus, standing alone in the gap, chose not to bring heaven's armies but to confront the powers of darkness as a humble shepherd willing to lay down his life for his flock.

We also examined the Pharisees' response to Jesus' growing influence. Their fear of losing power and identity led them to plot Jesus' death, ironically fulfilling the very purpose of Jesus' mission—to die for the sake of the nation and the world.

As we approach Easter, we anticipate delving deeper into the meaning of Jesus' resurrection for our lives today. We are called to live as ambassadors of Christ's upside-down kingdom, marked by humility, truth, forgiveness, and justice.

Finally, we were reminded that to enter the Kingdom of Jesus, we must kneel in confession of our sins and rebellion. Our Shepherd is there to rescue us, and as we live in his kingdom, our lives should reflect his humility and righteousness.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What is the significance of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as opposed to a warhorse? ([34:04])
How did the Pharisees react to Jesus' growing influence and what were their concerns? ([38:16])
What does the term "Hosanna" mean, and how was it used by the crowd during Jesus' entry into Jerusalem? ([41:01])
According to Zechariah, what are some characteristics of the kingdom that Jesus was to usher in? ([36:19])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey, and what message was He conveying about His kingship? ([34:04])
How does the Pharisees' fear of losing power and status reflect in their decision to plot against Jesus? ([38:16])
In what ways does Jesus' entry into Jerusalem represent a clash between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world? ([42:02])
How does the image of Jesus as a shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep challenge our understanding of leadership and authority? ([43:03])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you expected power and victory to look a certain way. How can Jesus' example of humility and sacrifice change your perspective on true strength? ([34:04])
The Pharisees were afraid of losing their power and status. Are there areas in your life where fear of losing control or status affects your decisions? How can you surrender these fears to Jesus? ([38:16])
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was a humble one, yet it was filled with purpose and power. How can you embody humility in your daily life without feeling weak or insignificant? ([34:04])
The Kingdom of God is marked by values such as humility, truth, justice, and forgiveness. Identify one of these values that you struggle with and discuss practical steps you can take to live it out more fully. ([36:19])
As we approach Easter, how can the anticipation of Jesus' resurrection influence the way you live out your faith in the present? ([44:42])
Jesus stood alone in the gap, confronting the powers of darkness. Is there a situation in your life where you need to stand firm in your faith, even if it means standing alone? ([42:02])
The sermon mentioned that to enter the Kingdom of Jesus, we must kneel in confession of our sins and rebellion. What specific sins or areas of rebellion do you need to confess and seek Jesus' rescue from? ([45:01])

Sermon Clips

"You want to enter into the kingdom of Jesus? We get down on our knees and we confess our rebellion, we confess our brokenness, we confess our sins and our shepherd is there to rescue us. And as people who are planted in the kingdom of Jesus, we will be people who are marked by humility and not pride, we will be people who are marked by repentance and not judgment." [45:58]( | | )

"Humble, riding on a donkey, righteous and victorious. Our shepherd comes to rescue us and so we respond, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord because he goes to the cross on our behalf. He is our rescuer and he is our king, amen?" [47:08]( | | )

"And as Jesus rides in on that donkey humbly into Jerusalem, we see this clash between himself and the Pharisees coming to a head. Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead. All kinds of folks are coming after him. He's making his way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast. And the Pharisees think the only way that we can stop this from happening is to get rid of Jesus." [38:54]( | | )

"Jesus found a young donkey and he rode on it fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. And in that moment, all things are good. In that word, Hosanna, it literally means to save, rescue, or deliver. Jesus, save us like our God did from the hands of the Egyptians. You're our King, Jesus, rescue us like the judges before you did so many times." [42:02]( | | )

"This is a clash of kingdoms between light and darkness, between good and evil. And like Leonidas at Thera, whatever it's called at that battle, Jesus stands in the gap, but he will not be defeated. Even though he stands in the gap all alone. He could have brought heaven's armies with him, and yet he stands there all alone." [43:24]( | | )

"Our wounded rescuer wins victory. And he does all of that on our behalf to usher in his kingdom. And that's what we're going to jump into next Sunday on Easter. We're going to be starting a brand new series where we're looking at what does the resurrection of Jesus actually mean for our lives and what does it mean for our lives right now." [44:42]( | | )

"This is what you must do, Zechariah says. Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. Don't scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord. See his kingdom, it's marked by things like humility and truth and justice." [36:26]( | | )

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