Seeking the True King: Transformative Worship in Holy Week
Summary
In John 12:12-19, we witness the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, a pivotal moment that marks the beginning of Holy Week. This event is not just a historical account but a profound spiritual lesson about the kind of king we are seeking in our lives. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowd shouts "Hosanna," celebrating Him as a liberator from oppression. However, their understanding of His kingship is misplaced. They seek a king who will deliver them from Roman rule, not realizing that Jesus came to transform their hearts and lives.
This passage challenges us to reflect on the kind of king we are chasing. Are we looking for a king who fulfills our desires and expectations, or are we seeking the true King who transforms us from within? Often, we are blind to the king we need because we are obsessed with the king we want. We must be cautious of misplaced worship and ensure that our hearts are aligned with the true purpose of Jesus' coming.
As we journey through Holy Week, it's crucial to avoid falling into the autopilot mode of simply going through the motions. Instead, we should strive to fall in love with the story of Jesus all over again. This involves seeking the King we need, being present in the moment, and following the true King. By doing so, we can experience the transformative power of Jesus in our lives and avoid the pitfalls of superficial worship.
The triumphal entry is a reminder that Jesus orchestrates every aspect of His mission, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating the upside-down nature of His kingdom. Unlike earthly kings who seek to be served, Jesus came to serve and calls us to follow His example. As we celebrate this Holy Week, let us focus on loving the King who transforms us, rather than merely seeking liberation from our circumstances.
Key Takeaways:
1. Seek the King We Need: We must worship the true King and be wary of shallow or misplaced worship. The crowd in Jerusalem praised Jesus as a liberator, but their understanding was flawed. True worship involves recognizing Jesus as the King who transforms us from within, not just the one who meets our external desires. [06:42]
2. Be Present in the Moment: The disciples initially missed the significance of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem because they were focused on the crowd. We must be present and attentive to what God is doing in our lives, avoiding distractions that prevent us from seeing His work. [34:09]
3. Follow the True King: We need to be cautious of religious echo chambers and ensure that we are following Jesus, the true King. This involves knowing His word and aligning our lives with His teachings, rather than being swayed by false doctrines. [36:08]
4. Beware of Autopilot Worship: It's easy to fall into a routine of going through the motions, especially during significant religious seasons. We must strive to love the story of Jesus and avoid losing our first love by engaging deeply with our faith. [13:51]
5. Embrace the Upside-Down Kingdom: Jesus' kingdom is characterized by humility and service, contrasting with worldly expectations of power and dominance. We are called to follow His example, recognizing that true greatness comes from serving others and exalting the humble. [30:18]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:38] - Reading of John 12:12-19
- [01:55] - Introduction to Holy Week
- [02:37] - Palm Sunday Celebration
- [03:23] - Upcoming Church Events
- [05:57] - The Triumphal Entry
- [06:42] - What Kind of King Are You Chasing?
- [08:04] - The Throne of Our Hearts
- [10:45] - Avoiding Autopilot Worship
- [13:51] - Regaining Our First Love
- [17:02] - The King We Need vs. The King We Want
- [20:51] - Loving the King We Need
- [25:45] - Jesus Orchestrates His Entry
- [30:18] - The Upside-Down Kingdom
- [36:48] - Falling in Love with Jesus Again
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 12:12-19
2. Zechariah 9:9
3. Psalm 118:24-26
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the expectations of the crowd as Jesus entered Jerusalem, and how did they express these expectations? ([06:42])
2. How did the disciples initially react to the events of the triumphal entry, and what changed their understanding later? ([34:09])
3. What actions did Jesus take to fulfill the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 during His entry into Jerusalem? ([26:26])
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between the king the crowd wanted and the king they needed? ([17:02])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the crowd have been so quick to shift from shouting "Hosanna" to calling for Jesus' crucifixion? What does this reveal about their understanding of Jesus' mission? ([28:25])
2. How does the concept of an "upside-down kingdom" challenge our typical understanding of power and leadership? ([30:18])
3. In what ways can misplaced worship manifest in our lives today, and how can we ensure our worship is aligned with the true purpose of Jesus' coming? ([32:13])
4. How can being present in the moment help us recognize God's work in our lives, as illustrated by the disciples' initial oversight during the triumphal entry? ([34:09])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own expectations of Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you might be seeking a king who fulfills your desires rather than transforms your heart? How can you realign your focus? ([17:02])
2. The sermon warns against falling into autopilot worship. What are some practical steps you can take to engage more deeply with your faith during Holy Week and beyond? ([13:51])
3. Consider the idea of an "upside-down kingdom" where greatness comes from serving others. How can you incorporate this principle into your daily interactions and leadership roles? ([30:18])
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you might be distracted from seeing God's work. What changes can you make to be more present and attentive to His presence? ([34:44])
5. The sermon encourages us to fall in love with the story of Jesus again. What specific actions can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him and rekindle your first love? ([13:51])
6. How can you ensure that your worship is authentic and not just a performance? What does it mean for you to worship in spirit and in truth? ([33:33])
7. Reflect on the kings or priorities currently sitting on the throne of your heart. Are there any that need to be dethroned to make room for Jesus as the true King? ([08:04])
Devotional
Day 1: Seek the King Who Transforms Within
True worship involves recognizing Jesus as the King who transforms us from within, not just the one who meets our external desires. The crowd in Jerusalem praised Jesus as a liberator, but their understanding was flawed. They sought a king who would deliver them from Roman rule, not realizing that Jesus came to transform their hearts and lives. This passage challenges us to reflect on the kind of king we are chasing. Are we looking for a king who fulfills our desires and expectations, or are we seeking the true King who transforms us from within? Often, we are blind to the king we need because we are obsessed with the king we want. We must be cautious of misplaced worship and ensure that our hearts are aligned with the true purpose of Jesus' coming. [06:42]
Jeremiah 10:23-24 (ESV): "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing."
Reflection: What desires or expectations are you holding onto that might be blinding you from recognizing the transformative King you truly need in your life?
Day 2: Be Present and Attentive to God's Work
The disciples initially missed the significance of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem because they were focused on the crowd. We must be present and attentive to what God is doing in our lives, avoiding distractions that prevent us from seeing His work. In our fast-paced world, it's easy to become distracted by the noise around us, losing sight of the divine moments God orchestrates in our lives. Being present means actively seeking to understand and participate in God's ongoing work, rather than being passive observers. By doing so, we can experience the transformative power of Jesus in our lives and avoid the pitfalls of superficial worship. [34:09]
Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Reflection: What distractions in your life are preventing you from being fully present to witness and participate in God's work today?
Day 3: Follow the True King
We need to be cautious of religious echo chambers and ensure that we are following Jesus, the true King. This involves knowing His word and aligning our lives with His teachings, rather than being swayed by false doctrines. In a world filled with competing voices and ideologies, it is crucial to discern the voice of the true King. Following Jesus means committing to His teachings and allowing them to shape our lives. It requires a willingness to step out of our comfort zones and challenge the status quo, aligning our lives with the values of His kingdom. [36:08]
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: Are there areas in your life where you are following the crowd instead of the true teachings of Jesus? How can you realign with His word today?
Day 4: Avoid Autopilot Worship
It's easy to fall into a routine of going through the motions, especially during significant religious seasons. We must strive to love the story of Jesus and avoid losing our first love by engaging deeply with our faith. Autopilot worship can lead to a superficial relationship with God, where rituals replace genuine connection. To avoid this, we must actively engage with our faith, seeking to understand and experience the depth of Jesus' love and sacrifice. By doing so, we can rekindle our passion for the gospel and live out our faith with authenticity and purpose. [13:51]
Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."
Reflection: In what ways have you been going through the motions in your spiritual life? How can you reignite your passion for Jesus today?
Day 5: Embrace the Upside-Down Kingdom
Jesus' kingdom is characterized by humility and service, contrasting with worldly expectations of power and dominance. We are called to follow His example, recognizing that true greatness comes from serving others and exalting the humble. The triumphal entry is a reminder that Jesus orchestrates every aspect of His mission, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating the upside-down nature of His kingdom. Unlike earthly kings who seek to be served, Jesus came to serve and calls us to follow His example. As we celebrate this Holy Week, let us focus on loving the King who transforms us, rather than merely seeking liberation from our circumstances. [30:18]
Mark 10:43-45 (ESV): "But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: How can you embody the values of Jesus' upside-down kingdom in your daily interactions and relationships today?
Quotes
The initiation of Palm Sunday is a pivotal moment. There's no turning back once this starts. Once Jesus initiates that walk through the gates of Jerusalem, that is the moment stepping into what we call Holy Week, the final week of Jesus' ministry, but leading up to the culmination of that. Jesus, we know, is referred to as the King. He's referred to as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. As we're watching the people usher Jesus through the gates of Jerusalem, my question to you as you're thinking about this king is, what kind of king are you chasing? [00:05:48]
A lot of times, we misunderstand the type of king that we are chasing. In this moment, in this passage of scripture, what we find out is that the people of Israel had an idea of this king, but their expectations were misplaced. Their ideas of who Jesus was were incorrect. I think a lot of times, if we're not careful, we step into that same scenario, that same situation where we are looking at this king, this King of Kings, and we're looking for certain things. [00:06:52]
We have this idea, and there's some truth to that, that we have a throne on our heart, and there's always a king that is sitting on that throne. The question is, what kind of king is it? Who is that king? Because all of us have affections, all of us prioritize things in life, all of us have things that we worship. The question is, are we looking to, are we celebrating, are we worshiping the right king? Even in word, we have Jesus sitting in that place. Sometimes we get it wrong. [00:08:02]
We see people that say that certain parts of the Bible aren't really relevant today, so we can kind of move those off to the side. We don't really have to follow those teachings. We have others that will say that if you don't follow the letter of the law, then you're lost, and there's no room for grace or mercy. There are people who live in the law of the gospel and miss the grace, and there's people who live in the grace of the gospel and miss the good works of worship and obeying what the word of God says. [00:09:47]
If we're not careful, what happens is we wind up finding ourselves in kind of a cruise control mode, right? We just kind of put it into autopilot. Okay, September, school started. Okay, check the box. We just did Christmas celebration. We did that. Okay, now it's the Easter celebration. I got three boxes: Palm Sunday, Tenebrae, Easter Sunday. All right, what's next? If we're not careful, that's kind of what happens. [00:11:46]
I think what God wants to say to us today, at least he's saying this to me, is to say, don't just go through the motions of the story, but love the story. Love the story. My mind goes to the book of Revelations where it talks about losing your first love. I think that that's something that happens when we get into autopilot, is we begin to lose our first love, right? We begin to go through the motions. [00:13:18]
The reality is, it's not on me to do that for you. You have to dive into God's word. You have to flesh out your walk with God. You need to meet with God on a regular basis. You need to reach out to the throne of God in your daily life. It can happen here on Sundays, but if you're not walking through that daily, if it's not a focus for you daily, this is actually message four today. This is just kind of coming now. [00:14:58]
We are blind to the king that we need because we're always obsessed with the king that we want. We have things in our relationship with Jesus that we want. We have things that we are looking for that are going to help us in life with our family, with our career, with our financial situation. Hey, look, all those things are important, and God hears those, and he meets us in those places, but that is not his primary aim in our life. [00:16:33]
The crowd was not looking for life transformation; they were looking for liberation. I think that oftentimes that's what we're looking for. We're not looking for transformation. We're not looking for God to change us on the inside. What we're looking for is the exterior things that God can give to us. The crowd was not looking for life transformation; they were looking for liberation. [00:18:23]
We need a better story, one that teaches us about a better king. What John chapter 12 wants to teach us is that we need to stop chasing the king that we want, but we need to start loving the king we need. What does that mean? What does that look like? When we go through this passage of scripture, once again, some very interesting things. [00:20:51]
Jesus is actually orchestrating every aspect of this triumphal entry. As I mentioned, this is a pivotal moment. He is orchestrating it, and what he's saying is that once I go through those gates, there is no turning back. This is a pivotal moment, and this is a pivotal story. I talk about Christmas. I love Christmas. I keep making mistakes calling Easter Christmas in my announcements. [00:22:11]
We need to beware of the shallow or misplaced worship. What do I mean by that? John 12:12-13 says, "The next day when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and they were singing praises of hosana, but they were singing praises that were wrong. They were misplaced. They weren't singing to the life-transforming Jesus." [00:31:41]
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