Jesus' Triumphant Entry: A Call to Salvation

 

Summary

Today, as we reflect on the significance of Palm Sunday, we delve into the profound truths of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, an event that set the stage for the unfolding of our salvation narrative. This entry was not just a momentous occasion but a fulfillment of prophecies that pointed to Jesus as the Messiah, the one who would bring peace and salvation to humanity.

The scene of Palm Sunday is one that evokes a sense of awe as we imagine the multitudes, possibly numbering over two million, laying down their garments and palm branches in honor of Jesus. This act of laying down garments was a gesture of deep respect, akin to laying down a red carpet for royalty. The crowd's cries of "Hosanna," which means "save us," were not just pleas for political deliverance from Roman rule but a deeper cry for spiritual salvation.

In my sermon, I drew parallels between the joyous wedding procession I witnessed in New Orleans and the jubilant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Both were grand celebrations, but Jesus' entry was the ultimate procession, heralding the arrival of the King of Kings. This event was not a spontaneous occurrence but a divine appointment, precisely prophesied in the book of Daniel and confirmed in the book of Nehemiah.

The choice of a donkey for Jesus' entry was significant. In ancient times, a king riding a donkey symbolized peace, while a horse signified war. Jesus' peaceful entry was a message of hope and reconciliation, not of earthly conquest. His mission was to heal, to teach about the Kingdom of God, and ultimately, to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

As we consider the Pharisees' response to Jesus' entry, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing and receiving Jesus as Lord. The Pharisees, blinded by their own expectations and pride, missed the point of Jesus' arrival. Their hearts were hardened, and the truth was hidden from their eyes. This serves as a sobering reminder to us not to miss our moment of visitation, to not be so caught up in our own agendas that we fail to see Jesus for who He truly is.

The sermon concluded with a call to action, an invitation to let Jesus into our lives, to confess our sins, and to walk with Him. The message of salvation is simple yet profound: confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.

Key Takeaways:

- Palm Sunday was not merely a historical event but a divine appointment that fulfilled ancient prophecies, demonstrating God's sovereignty and the reliability of His Word. As we study the Scriptures, we see the meticulous detail with which God orchestrates His plan of redemption, inviting us to trust in His perfect timing and purposes. [33:02]

- The response of the crowd on Palm Sunday, laying down their garments and shouting "Hosanna," teaches us about the posture of worship and the acknowledgment of our need for a Savior. True worship involves surrender, a laying down of our lives as a living sacrifice, and a recognition that Jesus is the only one who can save us from our sins. [44:07]

- Jesus' choice to ride on a donkey, a symbol of peace, rather than a war horse, underscores His mission to bring peace between God and humanity. This peace was not achieved through political power or military might but through the humble sacrifice of the cross. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, embodying the reconciling love of Jesus in a divided world. [38:08]

- The Pharisees' inability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual blindness. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and to ask whether we are open to the truth of who Jesus is or if we have allowed pride, tradition, or personal biases to cloud our vision. [47:59]

- The simplicity of the gospel message, as highlighted in the sermon, is a reminder that salvation is accessible to all who call upon the name of the Lord. It is not through complex rituals or works but through a heartfelt confession and belief in Jesus Christ that we are saved. This truth should embolden us to share the gospel with clarity and confidence, knowing that it has the power to transform lives. [56:18]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 19:29-40 - The Triumphal Entry
2. Daniel 9:24-27 - The Seventy Weeks Prophecy
3. Zechariah 9:9 - The Coming of Zion's King

#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the crowd take to honor Jesus during His entry into Jerusalem? ([41:06])
2. How did the Pharisees react to Jesus' entry and the crowd's response? ([47:27])
3. What is the significance of Jesus riding a donkey instead of a horse? ([37:40])
4. How does the prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 relate to the events of Palm Sunday? ([33:02])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the crowd shouted "Hosanna" and laid down their garments and palm branches? What does this reveal about their understanding of Jesus? ([43:08])
2. How does Jesus' peaceful entry on a donkey contrast with the expectations of a conquering Messiah? What message was Jesus conveying through this act? ([37:40])
3. In what ways did the Pharisees' response to Jesus' entry demonstrate spiritual blindness? How can we avoid similar pitfalls in our own faith journey? ([47:27])
4. How does the fulfillment of the prophecies in Daniel and Zechariah strengthen our trust in God's Word and His plan for salvation? ([33:02])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the crowd's act of laying down their garments and palm branches. What are some practical ways you can show honor and reverence to Jesus in your daily life? ([41:06])
2. The Pharisees missed the significance of Jesus' entry due to their own expectations and pride. Are there areas in your life where you might be missing Jesus' presence because of preconceived notions or personal biases? ([47:27])
3. Jesus' entry on a donkey symbolized peace. How can you be a peacemaker in your community, embodying the reconciling love of Jesus? ([37:40])
4. The crowd's cry of "Hosanna" was a plea for salvation. When was the last time you earnestly cried out to Jesus for help or salvation? How can you cultivate a heart that continually seeks Him? ([43:08])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of recognizing and receiving Jesus as Lord. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him and ensure you are not missing your moment of visitation? ([49:01])
6. The simplicity of the gospel message is a reminder that salvation is accessible to all. How can you share this message with clarity and confidence in your interactions with others? ([56:01])
7. Reflect on the prophecy fulfillment discussed in the sermon. How does understanding God's meticulous plan for redemption impact your trust in His timing and purposes in your own life? ([33:02])

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Appointment Fulfilled
The Palm Sunday event was not a mere historical occurrence but a pivotal moment predestined by God, fulfilling ancient prophecies with precision. This divine appointment serves as a testament to God's sovereignty and the trustworthiness of His Word. As believers delve into the Scriptures, they encounter the intricate details of God's redemptive plan, which beckons them to rely on His perfect timing and purposes. The fulfillment of these prophecies in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is a powerful reminder that God's promises are true and that He is in control of history, orchestrating events for the ultimate good of His people.

"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophecy, and to anoint a most holy place." - Daniel 9:24

Reflection: How does understanding the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem strengthen your trust in God's sovereignty over your life? [33:02]

Day 2: Worship in Surrender
The act of the crowd laying down their garments and shouting "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday exemplifies a posture of worship that acknowledges the need for a Savior. True worship is characterized by surrender, a willingness to lay down one's life as a living sacrifice in recognition of Jesus as the only one capable of saving us from our sins. This act of surrender is not just a one-time event but a daily practice of yielding one's desires, plans, and entire being to the Lordship of Christ. It is in this surrender that believers find true freedom and the joy of salvation.

"And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields." - Mark 11:7-8

Reflection: What does surrendering to Jesus look like in your daily life, and what is one step you can take today to deepen your worship through surrender? [44:07]

Day 3: The Prince of Peace
Jesus' deliberate choice to ride on a donkey, a symbol of peace, rather than a war horse, highlights His mission to establish peace between God and humanity. This peace was not to be won through political power or military might but through the humble sacrifice of the cross. As followers of Christ, individuals are called to be peacemakers, embodying the reconciling love of Jesus in a world rife with division. This calling involves not only promoting peace in external relationships but also cultivating inner peace through a reconciled relationship with God.

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! 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: In what ways can you embody the peace of Christ in your interactions with others, and what might be a practical step to become a peacemaker in your community today? [38:08]

Day 4: Overcoming Spiritual Blindness
The Pharisees' failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah serves as a stark warning about the perils of spiritual blindness. This blindness can stem from pride, tradition, or personal biases, preventing individuals from seeing the truth of who Jesus is. It is a call to self-examination, to ensure that one's heart is open to the truth and not obscured by preconceived notions or the desire to maintain the status quo. Recognizing Jesus as Lord requires humility and a willingness to have one's understanding transformed by the Holy Spirit.

"But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away." - 2 Corinthians 3:14

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you might be experiencing spiritual blindness, and what steps can you take to seek clarity and openness to Jesus' truth? [47:59]

Day 5: The Simplicity of Salvation
The gospel message is simple yet profound: salvation is available to all who confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead. This truth is not bound by complex rituals or works but is accessible through a heartfelt confession and belief in Jesus Christ. The simplicity of this message empowers believers to share the gospel with clarity and confidence, knowing that it has the transformative power to change lives.

"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9

Reflection: How can you share the simple yet profound message of the gospel with someone in your life today, and what might be a first step in doing so? [56:18]

Quotes


So I want to ask you, do you welcome him? Do you praise him? Do you give him your colt? Do you throw your clothes over his path so he can walk on them to show respect? Are you hoping he just doesn't come at all? Are you in that mindset? Hopefully not, but think about that one for a few minutes, okay? And remember, when kings come in on a donkey, it's for peace. [43:08]( | | )

So, Hosanna. So aside from clothes, this is where we get Palm Sunday from. Luke didn't mention palm leaves for whatever reason, but John and Matthew did. So we call it Palm Sunday because it sounds better than Clothes Sunday, right? Because really, we should be wearing clothes every day of the week. But Palm Sunday. So they're going out there. They're taking the palm leaves down. They're throwing them out. They're making this path. They're showing their respect for him, their reverence, shouting, Hosanna, Hosanna, which simply means save me, save me. [44:07]( | | )

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna, save me. Save us, we pray, as one translation gives it. But just save us, save us. They're just shouting that, recognizing that he's the Messiah. He's the one that can save them. Some of them, maybe they thought just from the Roman Empire, but, you know, from what I read here, they just want him to save them. And we all need that. We all need that, no matter where we're at in life. [45:55](Download clip | Download cropped clip | )

So your king is coming riding on a donkey. Why a donkey? Well, Jesus came in peace. Back then, when kings rode in on this type of donkey, the colt, it was a sign of peace. They were there to talk, to work things out. If they came in on a white stallion, it was all out war. And at the end of time, we're going to see the second coming. Jesus is going to be riding in on the white stallion. He's not going to come in peace next time. [38:08]( | | )

Many people miss the point. We all have a little Pharisee in us, don't we? I know I do. He's right there. He's coming. And you miss the whole point. You think of something stupid. You fall. You stumble. We all have that thing that we battle our whole entire lives. God, I believe, just gives us all our thorn in our side. Just like Paul talked about. So that we know who we need to lean on. It's our reminder, right? It's not fun, but we shouldn't just miss the point. [50:26]( | | )

And then Revelation 21, 4, He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. There's one chapter in between here that talks about something called the White Throne Judgment. And I've talked about this recently if you've been here. But basically it's a courtroom for all the people who didn't accept Christ. [56:59]( | | )

And if you're not getting it, we really just need to. We just need to get past ourselves and get that Jesus is arriving. And we just need to receive him. All right, verse 40, So, in other words, if they aren't going to announce as somebody else is, the rocks and everything, wake up Pharisees, please get this. But we continue, verse 41, saying, So, Jesus rides in. There's all these people shouting Hosanna. We've got clothes. We've got palm branches. And now we've got the Pharisees. [47:59]( | | )

So what does this have to do with Palm Sunday? Well, let's go back to our 69 year period, OK? Years back then were 360 days. They were not 365 with a leap year, with a leap second. Then they just had some microsecond judgment. They didn't have any of that. It was just 360 days. So if you do the math, you get 173,880 days between the time Nehemiah Artaxerxes says, Yep, go ahead and do it until the time Jesus rides in on his cult. OK, fulfilling the 69 week prophecy from Daniel. [37:18]( | | )

This was Jesus' big entrance into the city amongst a great multitude of people. They say it could have been over two million people there. Can you imagine a two million person parade? So I want to dive into, I'm going to jump all over the place. We're going to be on Luke 19 for the bulk of this. I'm going to start and Daniel jump around a little bit. But if you just want to get your Bibles ready in Luke 19, I always have the verses up on the slides. [31:21]( | | )

And they brought it to Jesus. And throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. So notice they obeyed. They did exactly what Jesus told them to. They went to go snatch the colt. I don't think they were thinking of it quite like that. But that's what came to my strange mind here. The first time you read something like this, you're like, why would Jesus tell them to go take it? [41:30]( | | )

Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin and to atone for the iniquity, to bring an everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and profit and to anoint the most holy. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of the anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. [33:02]( | | )

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Transcript
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