Jesus' Triumphant Entry: A Call to Transformation

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in Divine Authority and Foreknowledge

Jesus' instructions to fetch the colt demonstrate His divine authority and foreknowledge. He knew the colt's location and the hearts of the people involved, orchestrating events perfectly. This reminds us that God is in control of all circumstances, even when we don't understand His ways. Jesus' ability to foresee and arrange events according to His divine plan is a testament to His sovereignty and omniscience. This should encourage us to trust in God's plan for our lives, even when we face uncertainty or confusion.

When the disciples obeyed Jesus' seemingly strange request, they found everything exactly as He had described. This event underscores the importance of trusting in God's instructions, even when they don't make sense to us. It also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and influencing the hearts of people to align with God's will. As we navigate our daily lives, we can find comfort in knowing that God is orchestrating events for our good and His glory. [10:57]

Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel uncertain or confused. How can you trust in God's divine authority and foreknowledge to guide you through this situation?

Day 2: Obedience Through Relationship

The disciples' immediate obedience to Jesus' unusual request highlights the importance of a close relationship with Him. They trusted Him because they had walked with Him and witnessed His works. Our obedience to God grows as we spend more time with Him, learning to trust His guidance. The disciples' willingness to follow Jesus' instructions without hesitation is a powerful example of faith in action.

Their obedience was rooted in their personal relationship with Jesus, built through time spent in His presence and witnessing His miracles. This teaches us that our ability to obey God is directly linked to the depth of our relationship with Him. As we cultivate a closer relationship with God through prayer, reading His Word, and worship, our trust in His guidance will naturally grow, leading to more consistent and joyful obedience. [09:20]

John 15:14-15 (ESV): "You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."

Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with God. What steps can you take to deepen this relationship and grow in your trust and obedience to His guidance?

Day 3: Fulfillment of Prophecy

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfills Zechariah's prophecy, emphasizing that God's promises are always fulfilled. This encourages us to trust in God's word and His timing, knowing that He is faithful to His promises. The fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' life serves as a powerful reminder that God's Word is true and reliable.

Zechariah 9:9 foretold the coming of a humble king riding on a donkey, and Jesus' entry into Jerusalem perfectly matched this description. This event reassures us that God is faithful to His promises and that His plans unfold according to His perfect timing. As we read the Bible and encounter God's promises, we can have confidence that He will fulfill them in our lives, just as He did in the life of Jesus. [07:10]

2 Peter 1:19 (ESV): "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

Reflection: Think of a promise from God's Word that you are holding onto. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness and trust in His timing for the fulfillment of this promise?

Day 4: True Salvation

The crowd's cry of "Hosanna" reflects their desire for salvation, though they might have misunderstood the nature of Jesus' mission. Jesus came to save us from sin, not political oppression. This challenges us to seek spiritual salvation and transformation rather than temporary, worldly solutions. The crowd in Jerusalem expected Jesus to be a political savior who would liberate them from Roman rule.

However, Jesus' mission was far greater—He came to offer eternal salvation from sin and death. This distinction is crucial for us to understand as we navigate our own lives. We must prioritize our spiritual well-being and seek the transformative power of Jesus' salvation, rather than focusing solely on temporary, worldly solutions to our problems. True salvation involves a deep, personal relationship with Jesus and a commitment to living according to His teachings. [19:12]

Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."

Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of salvation. Are there areas in your life where you are seeking temporary, worldly solutions instead of the transformative power of Jesus' salvation?

Day 5: Invitation to Transformation

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem invites us to roll out the red carpet in our hearts, welcoming Him to transform our lives. We are called to surrender our twisted thoughts and perceptions, allowing Jesus to establish His kingdom within us. The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is not just a historical event; it is an invitation for each of us to welcome Him into our hearts and lives.

As the crowd laid down their clothes and palm branches to honor Jesus, we are called to lay down our own barriers and surrender our lives to Him. This act of surrender involves allowing Jesus to transform our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors, aligning them with His will. By doing so, we invite Jesus to establish His kingdom within us, leading to a life of purpose, peace, and spiritual fulfillment. [22:03]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What are some specific areas in your life where you need to surrender to Jesus? How can you invite Him to transform these areas and establish His kingdom within you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, New Life's family, friends, and guests. Today, we delve into the gospel according to Mark, focusing on Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Our aim is to recount this significant event, reflect on its meaning, and develop a prayer in praise of Jesus' entry. We begin with a prayer, asking God to open our hearts and minds to His word.

Our main text is Mark 11:1-11, supported by Isaiah 55:8-9, Zechariah 9:9, and 1 Corinthians 10:31. These scriptures collectively highlight God's higher ways and thoughts, the prophecy of a humble king riding on a donkey, and the call to do everything for God's glory.

Mark's gospel, believed to be the first written account, provides a vivid narrative of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Jesus instructs two disciples to fetch a colt, a seemingly strange request, but they obey without question, having witnessed His miracles. Jesus reassures them that everything is prepared, demonstrating His divine authority and foreknowledge.

The disciples find the colt as Jesus described, and the people around them do not object, showing the Holy Spirit's influence. This event underscores Jesus' authority over circumstances and people. The crowd lays their clothes and palm branches on the road, symbolically rolling out the red carpet for Jesus. They shout "Hosanna," a plea for salvation, recognizing Jesus as the prophesied king, though their understanding of His mission might have been limited to a political savior.

Jesus' entry fulfills Zechariah's prophecy, but He comes not to overthrow governments but to save humanity from sin. This moment invites us to reflect on our own lives, asking Jesus to save us from our sins and establish His kingdom in our hearts.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Divine Authority and Foreknowledge: Jesus' instructions to fetch the colt demonstrate His divine authority and foreknowledge. He knew the colt's location and the hearts of the people involved, orchestrating events perfectly. This reminds us that God is in control of all circumstances, even when we don't understand His ways. [10:57]
2. Obedience Through Relationship: The disciples' immediate obedience to Jesus' unusual request highlights the importance of a close relationship with Him. They trusted Him because they had walked with Him and witnessed His works. Our obedience to God grows as we spend more time with Him, learning to trust His guidance. [09:20]
3. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfills Zechariah's prophecy, emphasizing that God's promises are always fulfilled. This encourages us to trust in God's word and His timing, knowing that He is faithful to His promises. [07:10]
4. True Salvation: The crowd's cry of "Hosanna" reflects their desire for salvation, though they might have misunderstood the nature of Jesus' mission. Jesus came to save us from sin, not political oppression. This challenges us to seek spiritual salvation and transformation rather than temporary, worldly solutions. [19:12]
5. Invitation to Transformation: Jesus' entry into Jerusalem invites us to roll out the red carpet in our hearts, welcoming Him to transform our lives. We are called to surrender our twisted thoughts and perceptions, allowing Jesus to establish His kingdom within us. [22:03]
### [22:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Opening Prayer
[03:12] - Supporting Scriptures
[05:33] - Introduction to Mark's Gospel
[07:10] - Jesus' Triumphant Entry
[08:17] - The Disciples' Obedience
[10:57] - Divine Authority and Foreknowledge
[12:33] - Fulfillment of Prophecy
[14:15] - The Crowd's Response
[18:10] - Hosanna: A Plea for Salvation
[19:12] - True Salvation
[20:19] - Jesus' Mission
[22:03] - Invitation to Transformation
[25:28] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific instructions did Jesus give to His disciples regarding the colt? ([07:42])
How did the people react when the disciples untied the colt? ([13:05])
What actions did the crowd take to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem? ([14:15])
What did the crowd shout as Jesus entered Jerusalem, and what does "Hosanna" mean? ([18:10])

Interpretation Questions

What does Jesus' knowledge of the colt's location and the people's hearts reveal about His divine authority and foreknowledge? ([10:57])
How does the disciples' obedience to Jesus' unusual request demonstrate the importance of a close relationship with Him? ([09:20])
In what ways does Jesus' entry into Jerusalem fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, and what does this tell us about God's faithfulness to His promises? ([07:10])
How does the crowd's cry of "Hosanna" reflect their understanding of Jesus' mission, and how might their expectations have differed from the true purpose of His coming? ([19:12])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you had to trust God's guidance without fully understanding His plan. How did that experience strengthen your faith? ([09:20])
In what areas of your life do you need to recognize and submit to Jesus' divine authority and foreknowledge? ([10:57])
How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus to enhance your obedience to His guidance, even when it seems unusual or challenging? ([09:20])
What promises from God's Word are you holding onto, and how can you remind yourself of His faithfulness in fulfilling them? ([07:10])
How can you shift your focus from seeking temporary, worldly solutions to seeking true spiritual salvation and transformation through Jesus? ([19:12])
What practical steps can you take to "roll out the red carpet" for Jesus in your heart, allowing Him to transform your thoughts and perceptions? ([22:03])
Identify one specific area in your life where you need Jesus to save you from sin and establish His kingdom. How can you invite Him to bring about that transformation this week? ([22:03])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "Yes, what is done for the Lord will last, and only what is done for the Lord will last. As he continues to refine us and prepare us for the purity that comes with being in his presence. Amen, amen." [03:12] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And all these pieces are coming together showing how triumphant God is. Just showing how powerful and authoritative God is to just be able to command things, command people, command animals, command circumstances when we have no idea how it's even possible." [13:39] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Let this be a reminder to us today that we can still roll out the red carpet for Jesus to come into the kingdom of our hearts and say come save come save this messed up heart come save these twisted minds and thoughts that we have come change these perceptions of our world and of others and of ourselves help us save us from ourselves." [22:03] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Hosanna is the Greek transliteration of a Hebrew phrase that means please save. It means please save. So they're saying please save. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David. Please save in the highest heaven." [19:12] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "He came to overthrow us sitting on the throne of our hearts and trying to rule our own lives. He came to set us free and save us from the power of sin that continued to draw us and separate us from God. Amen." [20:19] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "But they had been living with Jesus. They had been walking with Jesus for three years. So when Jesus said something they didn't experience so much. They don't got time to ask questions because they haven't seen Jesus do too much already. They've seen him feed the five thousand. They've seen him calm the storm. They've seen him raise the dead. They've seen him come against the Jewish authorities. He's done all these things." [08:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So not only did God have to arrange the donkey to be there to be unwritten throughout his entire life beforehand and be at the door at the right time. Not only did he have to build the disciples trust over the last three years for them to believe and trust him with this this command but the Holy Spirit also had to move on the people's hearts that were with the donkey to just not stop them. That is true authority." [13:05] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And so some people thought that the Maccabean people the Maccabean leadership would have been the Messiah because their perception was okay these Romans got to go so the Messiah is obviously going to be this king who's going to come and take over. That was the perception. That was the perception. But we see that this prophecy from Zechariah chapter 9 is being fulfilled in Jesus because he's not coming in saying he's going to overthrow the Romans. He's not coming in saying he's going to overthrow the government. He's just coming in riding on the donkey into Jerusalem at Passover as if it was any other time." [17:04] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And the end of where we're going to read today says he went into Jerusalem and into the temple after looking around at everything since it was already late he went out to Bethany with the twelve so he enters into Jerusalem riding on the donkey they're shouting Hosanna Hosanna they got the palm branches they're laying out their clothes Jesus goes into Jerusalem he goes into the temple then he just goes home." [20:52] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Lord God help us to walk with you God help us to spend more time with you so that we can be as obedient as those disciples as when you ask them to do something that may sound strange they've walked with you enough to obey God help us to walk enough with you to just simply obey God." [26:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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