Recognizing Jesus: Beyond Expectations to True Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Humility in Leadership

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a colt is a profound act of humility and peace, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy. This moment challenges conventional views of power and leadership, inviting us to reconsider what true strength looks like. In a world that often equates power with dominance, Jesus' humble approach calls us to embrace humility in our own lives. By riding a donkey, He demonstrates that true leadership is not about exerting control but about serving others with grace and humility. This act invites us to reflect on how we can embody these values in our daily interactions and leadership roles. [00:28]

Zechariah 9:9 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what areas of your life can you practice humility and serve others, following Jesus' example of leadership?

Day 2: Seeking the True Mission of Jesus

The crowd's praise during Jesus' entry into Jerusalem reflects their desire for political liberation, missing the deeper spiritual salvation He offers. This misunderstanding serves as a reminder to seek Jesus' true mission rather than imposing our expectations on Him. Often, we approach Jesus with our own agendas, hoping He will fulfill our immediate desires. However, His mission transcends our temporary needs, offering eternal peace and salvation. We are called to align our understanding with His purpose, recognizing that His plans for us are far greater than we can imagine. [05:00]

John 6:15 (ESV): "Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself."

Reflection: How can you align your expectations with Jesus' true mission, seeking His spiritual guidance rather than just immediate solutions?

Day 3: Creation's Recognition of Divine Authority

Jesus' statement about the stones crying out highlights creation's recognition of His authority. This serves as a powerful reminder that God's truth will prevail, even if humanity fails to acknowledge it. The natural world, in its beauty and complexity, testifies to the Creator's power and majesty. As believers, we are invited to join in this recognition, acknowledging Jesus' divine authority in our lives. This calls us to live in harmony with His will, trusting that His truth will ultimately triumph over all. [10:15]

Habakkuk 2:11 (ESV): "For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork respond."

Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge and honor Jesus' authority in your daily life, joining creation in its testimony?

Day 4: Recognizing Spiritual Blindness

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem's ignorance and impending judgment, emphasizing the consequences of rejecting His peace. This moment calls us to examine our own spiritual blindness and seek true understanding. Often, we are blinded by our own desires and misconceptions, failing to see the peace and salvation Jesus offers. By acknowledging our limitations and seeking His guidance, we can open our hearts to His truth and embrace the peace He provides. This requires humility and a willingness to let go of our preconceived notions, trusting in His greater plan for our lives. [15:18]

Luke 19:41-42 (ESV): "And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, 'Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.'"

Reflection: What areas of your life might be clouded by spiritual blindness, and how can you seek Jesus' peace and understanding?

Day 5: Seeking a Genuine Encounter with Christ

The story of the boy missing the circus parallels our risk of missing a true encounter with Christ amidst religious routine. We are encouraged to seek a deeper relationship with Him, beyond mere participation in rituals. In our busy lives, it's easy to go through the motions of faith without truly engaging with Jesus' presence. This calls us to be intentional in our spiritual practices, seeking a genuine encounter with Christ that transforms our hearts and minds. By prioritizing our relationship with Him, we can experience the fullness of His love and grace. [21:03]

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Reflection: How can you move beyond routine and seek a genuine encounter with Christ in your daily spiritual practices?

Sermon Summary

As we reflect on the events leading up to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, we see a profound moment of fulfillment and revelation. Jesus, riding on a colt, enters the city amidst a throng of people who recognize Him as the prophesied King. This act fulfills the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9, where the King comes humbly, mounted on a donkey. The crowd, aware of His miracles, especially the recent raising of Lazarus, praises Him with words from Psalm 118, acknowledging Him as the Messiah. However, their understanding is limited; they seek political liberation from Roman oppression, not realizing their deeper need for spiritual salvation from sin.

The Pharisees, threatened by the crowd's acclamation, urge Jesus to silence them. Yet, Jesus responds that if the people were silent, the stones would cry out, indicating that creation itself recognizes His divine authority. This moment is not just about praise but also a foreshadowing of judgment. The stones, witnesses to the people's rejection, will testify against them.

As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He weeps over the city, lamenting its ignorance and blindness to the peace He offers. Despite the celebration, He foresees the impending destruction due to their rejection of Him. This ignorance is not mere lack of knowledge but a willful blindness to the truth of His mission. Jesus mourns not only for the city's fate but for the spiritual consequences of their rejection.

In this narrative, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing Jesus for who He truly is, beyond our expectations and desires. We are called to see Him as the Savior who offers peace with God, not just a solution to our immediate problems. As we gather in worship, we must seek a genuine encounter with Christ, avoiding the superficiality of routine and truly engaging with His presence.

Key Takeaways

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a colt fulfills Zechariah's prophecy, symbolizing humility and peace. This act challenges our understanding of power and leadership, inviting us to embrace humility in our own lives. [00:28]
2. Misunderstood Messiah: The crowd's praise reflects a desire for political liberation, missing the deeper spiritual salvation Jesus offers. This reminds us to seek Jesus' true mission and not impose our expectations on Him. [05:00]
3. Creation's Witness: Jesus' statement about the stones crying out highlights creation's recognition of His authority. It serves as a reminder that God's truth will prevail, even if humanity fails to acknowledge it. [10:15]
4. Jesus' Lament: Jesus weeps over Jerusalem's ignorance and impending judgment, emphasizing the consequences of rejecting His peace. This calls us to examine our own spiritual blindness and seek true understanding. [15:18]
5. Genuine Encounter: The story of the boy missing the circus parallels our risk of missing a true encounter with Christ amidst religious routine. We are encouraged to seek a deeper relationship with Him, beyond mere participation in rituals. [21:03]
** [21:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem
[02:15] - Fulfillment of Prophecy
[05:00] - Misunderstood Messiah
[07:45] - The Crowd's Praise
[10:15] - Creation's Witness
[12:30] - Pharisees' Challenge
[15:18] - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem
[18:23] - Consequences of Rejection
[21:03] - Genuine Encounter with Christ
[23:45] - Call to Spiritual Awareness
[26:10] - Invitation to Know Christ
[28:30] - Closing Reflections

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**

Luke 19:28-44
Zechariah 9:9
Psalm 118:25-26

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**Observation Questions:**

What specific prophecy does Jesus fulfill by riding into Jerusalem on a colt, and how does this act challenge traditional views of power and leadership? [00:28]
How does the crowd's reaction to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem reflect their understanding of His mission, and what recent miracle contributed to their excitement? [05:00]
What is the significance of Jesus' statement about the stones crying out, and how does this relate to the Pharisees' reaction to the crowd's praise? [10:15]
As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, what emotions does He express, and what does this reveal about His understanding of the city's future? [15:18]

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**Interpretation Questions:**

How does Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem on a colt contrast with the crowd's expectations of a political liberator, and what does this reveal about the nature of His kingdom? [00:28]
In what ways does the crowd's misunderstanding of Jesus' mission mirror common misconceptions about His role in our lives today? [05:00]
What does Jesus' lament over Jerusalem teach us about the consequences of spiritual blindness and ignorance, and how might this apply to our own spiritual journey? [15:18]
How does the concept of creation bearing witness to Jesus' authority challenge our understanding of God's truth and its recognition in the world? [10:15]

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**Application Questions:**

Reflect on a time when you may have imposed your own expectations on Jesus' role in your life. How can you seek to understand His true mission and align your desires with His purpose? [05:00]
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem invites us to embrace humility in our own lives. What is one area where you can practice humility this week, and how might this change your interactions with others? [00:28]
Consider the ways in which you might be spiritually blind or ignorant to the peace Jesus offers. What steps can you take to seek a deeper understanding and awareness of His presence? [15:18]
How can you ensure that your worship and participation in church activities lead to a genuine encounter with Christ, rather than just going through the motions? [21:03]
Jesus wept over Jerusalem's fate due to their rejection of Him. Is there someone in your life who is spiritually lost that you feel called to pray for or reach out to this week? [15:18]
The crowd praised Jesus for His miracles, yet missed His true mission. How can you balance gratitude for God's blessings with a deeper pursuit of His spiritual truths? [05:00]
Reflect on the story of the boy who missed the circus. How can you ensure that you don't miss the "main event" of encountering Christ in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to prioritize this relationship? [21:03]

Sermon Clips

So along the way, the people started praising Jesus after all the incredible miracles in his ministry years, raising Lazarus from the dead and being the most powerful and one of the most recent. The people put two and two together as Jesus rode dramatically toward the city. They turned to a messianic psalm that they knew well, Psalm 118, from their songbook. They used it for their exclamations of worship and adoration. [00:05:10] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

Jesus may not have been referring to praise, by the way, from the rocks. So think about this: did the people become quiet? I would imagine later that day it was all quieted down. So, and did the rocks cry out? Before the day is done, the cries became quiet, and the rocks eventually did cry out. The cry that would come soon after in the coming days would be the cry for his, for Jesus' crucifixion. [00:05:10] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

So are we at risk of getting used to the plight of the lost? I think we are if we're not careful. We truly could catch the heart of that young minister. We could catch the heart of Jesus. So, again, what moved Jesus so deeply to cry out over Jerusalem on such an exciting day? The answer is going to be uncovered in these last few verses. [00:12:48] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

So starting at verse 41, it says, "And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, 'Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.'" [00:13:12] (43 seconds) Edit Clip

So Jesus reiterates his love for Jerusalem in the ensuing days. So after this occasion, Jesus spoke again about Jerusalem, and he said in Matthew, "Oh, 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." Jesus' love for Jerusalem was like the love of a mother for a child, a deep love that was infinite and undefeatable. [00:14:22] (38 seconds) Edit Clip

So if you think about it, the visitation, or Jesus' visit, Jesus being God with us, Emmanuel, was there what made for peace. That was the very thing that he was talking about, the things that make for peace, if you had just known. So Jesus is so sad because just this lack of knowledge was killing them. Hosea talks about ignorance. Ignorance is not necessarily the same as innocence. [00:15:40] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

Further, since Jesus used the word hidden, it's very possible that their stubbornness and intentional or deliberate ignorance had resulted in God escalating discipline, imposing a blindness, blocking from their view the things that make for peace. So what if Jerusalem had softened her heart toward the Lord's anointed? Would they have resisted the Romans as they crucified the Messiah? Would his resurrection have ushered in the millennium? [00:17:27] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

Despite their joyous celebration of his royalty and his anointing, his people and their glorious city were precarious, even doomed, and his coming sacrifice would not spare them loss. They had not bought into his true mission as a servant, as a counselor, as their high priest and as their sacrificial lamb who takes away the sin of the world. They wanted to squeeze him into their mold as an earthly king, and they would pay dearly for this blind willfulness. [00:19:33] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

And let's depend on the Lord to strengthen us, to seize every opportunity to make him known. It's been pointed out to me recently, we have the opportunities. God brings us opportunities. We need to ask him to open our eyes to see those opportunities so we can take advantage to make his mercy known. [00:21:39] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

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