Seeing Jesus Clearly: Embracing the True King
Summary
On that remarkable day when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the city welcomed Him with shouts of "Hosanna" and palm branches, recognizing Him as a king. Yet, this day marked the beginning of a week that would lead to His crucifixion, a pivotal moment in history. As we reflect on this event, we must consider how we perceive Jesus. Often, our expectations and cultural influences distort our view of Him, much like the people of Jerusalem who anticipated a conquering king rather than a suffering servant.
The Jewish people of Jesus' time had been led by religious leaders who added to God's Word, creating a distorted image of the Messiah. They expected a political savior who would restore Israel's glory and crush their oppressors. However, Jesus came to fulfill a different mission, one that involved humility, sacrifice, and a kingdom not of this world. This misunderstanding of His purpose is a reminder for us to examine our own lenses through which we view Jesus.
We often bring our desires, agendas, and cultural biases to our understanding of Christ, expecting Him to fit into our plans rather than allowing Him to transform us. Like Zacchaeus and Mary, we must seek a clear vision of Jesus, one that leads to profound change and genuine worship. As we approach the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we are invited to lay down our misconceptions and embrace the true nature of Jesus as both King and suffering servant.
In this interlude between Palm Sunday and Easter, we are called to realign our hearts and see Jesus for who He truly is. This involves shedding the lenses of self-interest and embracing a life of service and love, following the example of Christ. As we do so, we become more like Him, able to see and care for others as He does. Let us prepare our hearts for the coming days, ready to celebrate the resurrection with a renewed understanding of our Savior.
Key Takeaways:
1. Distorted Expectations: The people of Jerusalem expected a conquering king, but Jesus came as a humble servant. This serves as a reminder to examine our own expectations of Jesus and ensure they align with His true nature. We must be willing to let go of our preconceived notions and embrace the fullness of who He is. [12:46]
2. Cultural Influences: Just as the religious leaders of Jesus' time added to God's Word, we too can be influenced by cultural and personal biases. It's crucial to discern these influences and seek a pure understanding of Scripture, allowing it to shape our view of Jesus. [24:15]
3. True Worship: Like Mary, we are called to worship Jesus with all our hearts, free from the distortions of self-interest. True worship involves recognizing Jesus as both King and suffering servant, leading to a life of service and love. [36:22]
4. Transformation Through Clarity: Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus led to a profound transformation. Similarly, when we see Jesus clearly, we are changed and empowered to live out His love and grace in the world. [48:10]
5. Preparing for Easter: As we approach Good Friday and Easter, we are invited to lay down our misconceptions and embrace the true nature of Jesus. This involves a heart of humility and a willingness to be transformed by His sacrifice and resurrection. [01:00:45]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Jesus Enters Jerusalem
[05:30] - Misunderstanding the Messiah
[12:46] - Distorted Expectations
[18:20] - Cultural Influences on Faith
[24:15] - The True Nature of Jesus
[30:00] - Worship Like Mary
[36:22] - Transformation Through Clarity
[42:10] - Preparing for Good Friday
[48:10] - Embracing the Suffering Servant
[54:00] - Seeing Jesus Clearly
[01:00:45] - Preparing for Easter
[01:06:30] - Practical Steps for Worship
[01:12:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 12:12-19
2. Isaiah 53:3-5
3. Deuteronomy 4:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the expectations of the people of Jerusalem when Jesus entered the city, and how did they express these expectations? [00:45]
2. How did the religious leaders of Jesus' time contribute to the distorted image of the Messiah? [18:20]
3. What was the significance of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem, according to the sermon? [05:30]
4. How did the crowd's reaction to Jesus change from His entry into Jerusalem to the end of the week? [48:10]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the cultural and religious expectations of a conquering king have influenced the people's understanding of Jesus' mission? [24:15]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our personal desires and cultural biases can distort our view of Jesus today? [36:22]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when one sees Jesus clearly, as exemplified by Zacchaeus and Mary? [48:10]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of laying down misconceptions as we approach Good Friday and Easter? [01:00:45]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own expectations of Jesus. Are there any preconceived notions you need to let go of to embrace His true nature as both King and suffering servant? [12:46]
2. Consider the cultural influences that might shape your understanding of Jesus. How can you seek a purer understanding of Scripture to align your view with His true nature? [24:15]
3. Like Mary, how can you engage in true worship that is free from self-interest and recognizes Jesus as both King and suffering servant? What practical steps can you take this week? [36:22]
4. Think about a time when you experienced a transformation in your understanding of Jesus. How did this change impact your life, and how can you continue to seek clarity in your relationship with Him? [48:10]
5. As we approach Good Friday and Easter, what specific misconceptions about Jesus do you need to lay down? How can you prepare your heart to celebrate the resurrection with a renewed understanding? [01:00:45]
6. Identify one area in your life where you might be trying to fit Jesus into your plans rather than allowing Him to transform you. What steps can you take to realign your heart with His example of service and love? [36:22]
7. How can you actively seek to see and care for others as Jesus does, especially during this season of reflection and renewal? What actions can you take to demonstrate His love and grace in your community? [01:00:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Letting Go of Distorted Expectations
In the time of Jesus, the people of Jerusalem anticipated a Messiah who would be a political savior, a conquering king who would restore Israel's glory. However, Jesus came as a humble servant, challenging their expectations and revealing a kingdom not of this world. This serves as a powerful reminder for us to examine our own expectations of Jesus. We often bring our desires and agendas to our understanding of Christ, expecting Him to fit into our plans. Instead, we are called to let go of our preconceived notions and embrace the fullness of who He is, allowing Him to transform us. [12:46]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What expectations do you have of Jesus that might be limiting your understanding of His true nature? How can you begin to release these expectations today?
Day 2: Discerning Cultural Influences
The religious leaders of Jesus' time added to God's Word, creating a distorted image of the Messiah. Similarly, we can be influenced by cultural and personal biases that shape our view of Jesus. It's crucial to discern these influences and seek a pure understanding of Scripture, allowing it to guide our perception of Christ. By doing so, we can align our hearts with His true nature and purpose, free from the distortions of self-interest and cultural expectations. [24:15]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: What cultural or personal biases might be influencing your understanding of Jesus? How can you seek a clearer, more Scripture-based view of Him today?
Day 3: Embracing True Worship
True worship involves recognizing Jesus as both King and suffering servant, leading to a life of service and love. Like Mary, we are called to worship Jesus with all our hearts, free from the distortions of self-interest. This kind of worship transforms us, enabling us to live out His love and grace in the world. As we approach the events of Good Friday and Easter, we are invited to lay down our misconceptions and embrace the true nature of Jesus. [36:22]
John 4:23-24 (ESV): "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Reflection: How can you worship Jesus today in a way that is free from self-interest and truly honors His nature as both King and suffering servant?
Day 4: Transformation Through Clarity
Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus led to a profound transformation. When we see Jesus clearly, we too are changed and empowered to live out His love and grace in the world. This transformation involves shedding the lenses of self-interest and embracing a life of service and love, following the example of Christ. As we do so, we become more like Him, able to see and care for others as He does. [48:10]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: In what ways do you need to see Jesus more clearly in your life? How can this clarity lead to transformation in your actions and relationships today?
Day 5: Preparing for Easter with a Renewed Heart
As we approach Good Friday and Easter, we are invited to lay down our misconceptions and embrace the true nature of Jesus. This involves a heart of humility and a willingness to be transformed by His sacrifice and resurrection. By realigning our hearts and seeing Jesus for who He truly is, we prepare ourselves to celebrate the resurrection with a renewed understanding of our Savior. [01:00:45]
Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV): "Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might."
Reflection: How can you prepare your heart for Easter by embracing the true nature of Jesus? What steps can you take today to align your life with His example of humility and service?
Quotes
That incredible day that Jesus entered the holy city So many years ago On our behalf to the shouts of Hosanna That incredible day When those at the city gates Laid down palm fronds in front of Him Welcoming in like a conquering king That scandalous day That would lead to the most treacherous week of His life As He headed to the cross For each and every one of us [00:41:37] (30 seconds)
You see each of us has a lens That we look through Sometimes it's a pure motive Sometimes it comes from the right place But sometimes it lacks understanding Whether that's our issue Or we've been misled But oftentimes it's formed From a place of selfishness And the desire To have it Our own way And we have to be honest With ourselves [01:02:20] (26 seconds)
It would be like Compiling all of those Or even adding The messages The sermons Of modern day pastors To a book And then that book Becomes more important Than this That that would be What they would Start living Their lives by Not as helps To understand This more clearly But to get in the way Of this To become More important And eventually That started To replace the truth [01:10:00] (27 seconds)
And in the misleading Of those centuries One of the things That kept rising To the top In their teaching Of Messiah This one who would Come to rescue them Was this focus On a conquering King One who would Elevate Israel And the Jewish people To their former glory That would crush Their oppressors And those who Would harm them And at this time When Jesus is entering In Jerusalem That was Rome [01:13:00] (29 seconds)
It's important for us To look at how Isaiah Scripture that they Would have had That would have Contradicted their view If they had focused In on it How he juxtapositions How he compares This conquering king To a merciful rescuer Look at Isaiah 11 Chapter 2 The spirit of the Lord Will rest on him A spirit of wisdom And understanding This is talking About Jesus The Messiah [01:17:00] (28 seconds)
The Messiah Is And will And has Reigned over A kingdom It was prophesied Through scripture Right down to the place Where it would Root out of Where it would start Look at Genesis Chapter 49 Judah Your brothers Will praise you Your hand Will be on the neck Of your enemies Your father's sons Will bow down to you Judah Is a young lion We just read a song Lion of Judah [01:21:00] (28 seconds)
The mission he was on Was a conquest Of more than just Physical boundaries Of countries And political systems It was all Encompassing For each and every one Of us For all time And hear me again Among this crowd Among these worshipers There were some That had begun To grasp this But even his disciples Kept missing it And I want you To hear this That lens This Of putting things Out in front of us [01:28:00] (31 seconds)
We still bring to the table The things that we want Out of Jesus Many of us see Jesus As a means to our Comfort To our status To our prominence In the world Or we just see Jesus As fitting into our agenda We think things like Jesus only loves And cares about those people That I think Are worthy We may think My politics Traditions And life experience Are exactly What Jesus would do [01:31:00] (28 seconds)
We need to take them off We can't see him As a means to our ends We need to see him As someone who wants To change us Move us To be more like him And here's the reality He was a king He is a king He will always be a king But he was a humble Suffering servant And we need to move In that direction Because as we get closer To Jesus And we see him more clearly [01:34:00] (25 seconds)
The time for Jesus To continually come And teach And continually answer Questions to the mass And to the individuals Is over Either you believe Or you don't Either you're a servant And a follower Or you're not The final journey Of his mission Is at hand And God the father Even puts an exclamation point On this Making it even more clearly Known to them In a way he's saying If you're gonna miss This next thing [01:41:00] (31 seconds)
I want to be more Like Mary I want to Worship like She did In whatever Form that is Scripture is Very clear that Worship takes All these Different forms And Mary Found hers And she Did it With all Of her Heart I want us To finish This week In worship In absolute Change And be More Christ Like You see Again like I said Earlier The closer And the more Clearly We can See Jesus [01:47:00] (31 seconds)
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