Jesus' Triumphal Entry: A Call to True Salvation
Summary
In the weeks leading up to Easter, I've been reflecting deeply on the significance of Jesus' actions and the profound implications they have for us individually and as a church community. As we approach Easter, it's essential to consider the powerful events of Jesus' final week, which culminate in His crucifixion and resurrection.
The sermon today focused on Palm Sunday, a pivotal moment when Jesus entered Jerusalem. This event, also known as the triumphal entry, occurred during Passover, a major Jewish festival. The city was bustling with crowds, all gathered to celebrate. However, Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was not just a simple arrival; it was laden with symbolism and meaning.
The Palm Branch, a symbol of freedom and military victory, became significant during the time of Judas Maccabeus, who led the Jewish people to victory against the Greeks. This symbol of victory was later adopted by Jesus in a transformative way. As Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah, He was declaring Himself as King. But not the kind of king the people expected. They desired a ruler who would lead them to military victory over the Romans, but Jesus had a different kind of kingship in mind.
The people welcomed Jesus as their king by spreading their cloaks on the road and waving palm branches, shouting "Hosanna," which means "Lord, save us." They sought salvation from Roman oppression, but Jesus' mission was to offer a deeper salvation – from sin and death. This misunderstanding of Jesus' kingship would eventually lead to His rejection and crucifixion by the very people who hailed Him as their king.
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was also marked by a profound sadness. As He approached the city, He wept over it, knowing the destruction that would come upon it because the people did not recognize the true peace He offered. Jesus foresaw the devastating consequences of their actions and the rejection of His authority. Despite knowing the suffering He would endure, Jesus wept for the suffering of the people.
In Revelation, the palm branch appears again, symbolizing the ultimate victory Jesus achieved – a victory not over Rome, but over sin and death. This victory created a new people of God, uniting Jews and Gentiles alike. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the means by which He won this victory, offering salvation to all who would follow Him.
As we prepare for Easter, I challenged the congregation to consider who in their lives needs to hear about what Jesus has done for them. I encouraged everyone to invite someone to join us for Easter Sunday, to share in the celebration of the new life Jesus offers.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' kingship challenges our expectations and calls us to follow Him, not for our own purposes, but to align with His divine plan. As His followers, we must be willing to let go of our desires and trust in His greater purpose for our lives, even if it means facing trials and suffering. [53:13]
- The Palm Branch, once a symbol of military victory, was redefined by Jesus to represent a victory of a different kind – a spiritual victory over sin and death. This teaches us that God's ways are not our ways, and His victory is not always what we expect, but it is always greater and more profound. [01:06:16]
- Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem reveals the depth of His compassion and the heart of God. It reminds us that God grieves over our suffering and the consequences of our rejection of His authority. This should move us to a deeper understanding of His love and a greater willingness to submit to His lordship. [01:05:40]
- The crowd's acclamation of "Hosanna" reflects our own cries for deliverance. We must ask ourselves what we seek salvation from and whether we are willing to trust Jesus even if He doesn't save us from our immediate troubles, recognizing that He saves us from our ultimate need – separation from God. [58:39]
- The invitation to invite others to Easter services is an opportunity to extend the victory and salvation Jesus offers to those around us. It's a call to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing the good news of His sacrificial love and the hope of eternal life with our community. [01:10:29]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 21:1-11 (Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem)
2. Zechariah 9:9 (Prophecy of the King on a Donkey)
3. Revelation 7:9-10 (The Multitude with Palm Branches)
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the crowd take to welcome Jesus as He entered Jerusalem? (Matthew 21:8-9)
2. How does Zechariah 9:9 describe the coming King, and how does Jesus fulfill this prophecy? (Matthew 21:4-5)
3. What does the crowd shout as Jesus enters Jerusalem, and what does "Hosanna" mean? (Matthew 21:9) [57:56]
4. In Revelation 7:9-10, what is the significance of the multitude holding palm branches and what are they proclaiming?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did the people of Jerusalem misunderstand the type of kingship Jesus was declaring? (Matthew 21:9) [50:37]
2. How does Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41-44 reveal His heart and mission? [01:02:57]
3. What does the transformation of the palm branch from a symbol of military victory to a symbol of spiritual victory teach us about God's ways? (Revelation 7:9-10) [01:06:16]
4. How does the crowd's acclamation of "Hosanna" reflect our own cries for deliverance, and what does it reveal about our understanding of salvation? [57:56]
#### Application Questions
1. Jesus' kingship challenges our expectations and calls us to follow Him. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to let go of your desires and trust in His greater purpose? How can you begin to align your will with His this week? [53:13]
2. The Palm Branch was redefined by Jesus to represent a spiritual victory over sin and death. Can you think of a time when God's victory in your life was different from what you expected? How did it turn out to be greater and more profound? [01:06:16]
3. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, showing His deep compassion. How can you cultivate a heart that grieves over the suffering and rejection of God's authority in your community? What practical steps can you take to show God's love and compassion? [01:05:40]
4. The crowd shouted "Hosanna," seeking immediate deliverance. What are you seeking salvation from in your life right now? Are you willing to trust Jesus even if He doesn't save you from your immediate troubles? [58:39]
5. The invitation to invite others to Easter services is an opportunity to extend the victory and salvation Jesus offers. Who in your life needs to hear about what Jesus has done for them? How can you intentionally invite them to join you for Easter Sunday? [01:10:29]
6. Reflecting on Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, how can you prepare your heart for Easter? What specific actions can you take to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection?
7. Jesus' disciples went and did as He instructed them, even when it seemed strange. Is there something Jesus is asking you to do that feels uncomfortable or unusual? How can you take a step of obedience this week? [54:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Christ's Unexpected Kingship
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem challenges our preconceived notions of power and victory. The people of Jerusalem expected a military leader, but Jesus presented a different model of kingship—one of humility and peace. This kingship calls for a reevaluation of our own expectations and desires. It invites us to consider the ways in which we might be seeking to use Jesus to achieve our own ends, rather than submitting to His divine plan. This submission often involves a willingness to face trials and suffering, trusting that His purposes are higher than our immediate comfort or success.
"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 have you expected Jesus to serve your own desires for success or comfort? How can you align your life more closely with His example of servant leadership today? [53:13]
Day 2: Victory Redefined Through Christ
The Palm Branch, once a symbol of military victory, was redefined by Jesus during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This redefinition invites us to reflect on the nature of true victory in God's kingdom. It is not a victory that the world recognizes—one of power, dominance, or even freedom from immediate troubles. Instead, it is a spiritual victory over sin and death, achieved through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. This victory is profound and eternal, and it calls us to look beyond our worldly expectations to embrace God's greater plan for redemption.
"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8)
Reflection: How does your understanding of victory align with the victory Jesus achieved on the cross? What might need to change in your perspective to celebrate His spiritual victory over worldly triumphs? [01:06:16]
Day 3: The Compassion of Christ for the Lost
Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem reveals the depth of His compassion and the heart of God for His people. Despite knowing the suffering He would face, Jesus mourned the future destruction of Jerusalem and the spiritual blindness of its inhabitants. This moment serves as a powerful reminder of God's love for us, His grief over our suffering, and the consequences of rejecting His authority. It challenges us to recognize the depth of God's love and to respond with a willingness to submit to His lordship in our lives.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37)
Reflection: When have you experienced a time of spiritual blindness, and how did God's compassion guide you back to Him? How can you extend that same compassion to others who are lost? [01:05:40]
Day 4: Seeking True Salvation in Christ
The crowd's cries of "Hosanna" reflect a deep desire for deliverance, yet they misunderstood the nature of the salvation Jesus came to bring. This moment prompts us to examine our own cries for help. Are we seeking temporary relief from our circumstances, or are we looking to Jesus for the ultimate salvation from sin and separation from God? Trusting in Jesus means recognizing that He may not remove our immediate troubles, but He has secured our eternal redemption.
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14)
Reflection: What are you asking God to save you from today, and how does that align with the eternal salvation offered through Jesus Christ? [58:39]
Day 5: Sharing the Victory of Christ with Others
The invitation to bring others to Easter services is an opportunity to share the victory and salvation that Jesus offers. As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to extend the hope of His sacrificial love and the promise of new life to those around us. This call to evangelism is not just a duty but a privilege to participate in the spreading of the good news and to witness the transformative power of the gospel in the lives of others.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the victory and salvation Jesus offers? How can you take a step today to share this good news with them? [01:10:29]
Quotes
1) "If Jesus is King, then follow his instructions. They went and they did it. So three words for us: go and do. I mean, if you want to make Jesus king in your life this week, go and do what he has instructed you to do. It's that simple. Go and do. I wonder, is there a place in your life where you need to go and do this week?" [55:12]
2) "Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him King by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. They tried to forcibly make him King, and I think the reason they would do that is because they're watching Jesus... he can grab an audience and hold their attention, he performs miracles... if you're looking for a military commander, you're not going to find a better one than this guy." [51:55]
3) "We don't follow Jesus to get where we are going; we follow Jesus to get where he is going. Those two statements are fundamentally different... if Jesus is King, then we've just got to let him be king. We've got to give him authority in our lives... what should this look like exactly? Well, the disciples actually give us a great example right in this story." [53:13]
4) "Jesus is savior, but sometimes he doesn't save us from what we want to be saved from, but he does and he will save us from what we need to be saved from... Will you continue to trust Jesus even if he doesn't rescue your career? Are you willing to trust him that he is King and that he knows what he's doing?" [01:00:50]
5) "Jesus is weeping as he enters the city... He's weeping about the suffering they will endure, all because they were so confused about what would bring them peace... that's always how Jesus responds to the pain that we bring on ourselves through the consequences of our actions, the rejection of his authority. That's the heart of our God." [01:05:40]
6) "Jesus won the victory not by dominating Rome but by choosing the way of sacrifice and servanthood. He gave his life away so that he could create a new people... Jesus didn't just come to save the Jews; he came to save the Romans as well, he came to save all people and create a new people where Jew and Roman could be together as one, the people of God." [01:09:12]
7) "I want to challenge you to do something... we got these invite cards for Easter weekend. I just want to ask you, who in your life needs to hear what Jesus has done for them, needs to hear that they've been invited to believe and follow Jesus and experience new life in him?" [01:10:29]
8) "The palm branch became this powerful symbol of freedom and military victory... every time the Jews rose up after this whole Maccabees thing, they would make their own coins and they would put palm branches on them. So the Palm Branch became this powerful symbol of freedom and military victory." [42:27]
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