Unexpected Majesty: Embracing God's Surprising Kingdom

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I reflected on the surprising nature of God's kingdom, particularly as we see it in the events of Palm Sunday. I began by sharing a personal anecdote about surprises, which set the stage for discussing how God often works in unexpected ways. I then delved into the traditional Palm Sunday narrative, focusing on Luke 19:28-40, where Jesus enters Jerusalem in a manner that defies conventional expectations.

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was symbolic, as He chose to ride on a donkey, an animal that had never been ridden before. This act alone was a surprise to many, as kings typically rode on horses or chariots to display power and prestige. Yet, Jesus, the King of Kings, chose a humble approach, signifying peace rather than conquest. The people responded by laying down their cloaks and palm branches, a sign of honor and recognition of Jesus as their Messiah.

However, the Pharisees were disturbed by this display of adoration and asked Jesus to rebuke His disciples. Jesus' response was profound: if the people were silent, the very stones would cry out in praise. This statement highlights the inevitability of Jesus' kingship and the unstoppable nature of God's plan.

The sermon also touched on the significance of the Passover and how Jesus, as the sacrificial Lamb of God, fulfilled the prophecies and customs of the Jewish faith. His arrival on the 10th day of Nissan and His inspection for blemishes until the 14th day paralleled the Passover lamb's preparation. Jesus' crucifixion coincided with the slaughter of the Passover lambs, cementing His role as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Key Takeaways:

- The kingdom of God often arrives in ways that defy our expectations. Just as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, God's work in our lives may not always align with our preconceived notions of grandeur or power. We must be open to the humble and unexpected ways God moves. [39:01]

- Jesus' deliberate choice to ride a donkey, an unassuming creature, teaches us about the nature of true leadership in God's kingdom. It's not about dominance or force, but about humility and peace. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody these same qualities in our interactions with others. [49:59]

- The response of the crowd, laying down their cloaks and palm branches, demonstrates the proper response to Jesus' lordship—complete surrender and honor. Our lives should reflect a similar posture of worship and submission to His authority. [51:20]

- The Pharisees' discomfort with Jesus' praise reveals a heart resistant to God's ways. We must guard against a spirit of religiosity that prioritizes tradition or control over genuine worship and acknowledgment of God's work. [52:40]

- Jesus' statement about the stones crying out if the people were silent speaks to the inevitability of His reign. Creation itself recognizes Jesus as Lord, and we, as part of His creation, are called to join in this chorus of praise. Our worship should be as natural and as unstoppable as the forces of nature. [53:29]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Luke 19:28-40
- John 1:35-36
- Psalm 118:25-26

#### Observation Questions
1. What was significant about Jesus choosing to ride a donkey into Jerusalem? ([49:59])
2. How did the crowd respond to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and what did their actions symbolize? ([51:20])
3. What was the reaction of the Pharisees to the crowd's praise of Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to them? ([52:40])
4. How does the timing of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem align with the Jewish Passover customs? ([48:37])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose a donkey, an animal associated with humility, instead of a horse or chariot? What does this tell us about His kingship? ([49:59])
2. The crowd laid down their cloaks and palm branches for Jesus. What does this act of honor and recognition teach us about how we should respond to Jesus' lordship? ([51:20])
3. The Pharisees were uncomfortable with the praise Jesus received. What does this reveal about their understanding of God's work and their own hearts? ([52:40])
4. Jesus mentioned that if the people were silent, the stones would cry out. What does this statement imply about the nature of Jesus' kingship and the inevitability of God's plan? ([53:29])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when God worked in your life in an unexpected way. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([39:01])
2. Jesus' choice to ride a donkey symbolizes humility and peace. How can you embody these qualities in your daily interactions with others? ([49:59])
3. The crowd's act of laying down their cloaks and palm branches was a sign of complete surrender and honor. In what ways can you show complete surrender and honor to Jesus in your life? ([51:20])
4. The Pharisees' discomfort with Jesus' praise highlights a resistance to God's ways. Are there areas in your life where you might be resisting God's work? How can you address this resistance? ([52:40])
5. Jesus said that if the people were silent, the stones would cry out. How can you ensure that your worship and acknowledgment of Jesus are as natural and unstoppable as the forces of nature? ([53:29])
6. Considering the significance of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem during Passover, how does understanding the fulfillment of these prophecies deepen your appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice? ([48:37])
7. Think about the last time you were genuinely surprised by God. How can you cultivate a heart that is open to being surprised by God's work in your life? ([42:28])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Unexpected Ways
God's kingdom often manifests in ways that challenge our expectations. This truth is vividly illustrated in the narrative of Palm Sunday, where Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey subverts the traditional images of royal grandeur. Kings of the age would typically display their might and power on warhorses or in chariots, yet Jesus, the King of all kings, chose a path of humility. This act was not a concession of weakness but a powerful statement of His mission to bring peace. The donkey, a symbol of servitude and peace, was the chosen vessel for the Prince of Peace. This moment serves as a reminder that the divine often operates outside the confines of human anticipation, inviting believers to remain open to the myriad ways God can work in their lives, even when it seems unconventional or understated.

[39:01]

"Thus says the Lord: '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 ESV

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you expecting God to move in grandiose ways, and how can you adjust your perspective to recognize His presence in the humble and ordinary?

Day 2: The Nature of True Leadership
The deliberate choice of Jesus to enter Jerusalem on a donkey teaches us about the essence of leadership in the kingdom of God. It is not about exerting dominance or showcasing strength, but about embodying humility and extending peace. This approach to leadership stands in stark contrast to the world's standards, where power often correlates with force and intimidation. As followers of Christ, we are called to lead by example, serving others with a gentle spirit and a peaceful demeanor, just as Jesus did. This call to humility is not only for those in positions of authority but for every believer who seeks to reflect the heart of Christ in their daily interactions.

[49:59]

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." - Galatians 5:13 ESV

Reflection: How can you demonstrate servant leadership in your current circumstances, and what might need to change in your approach to reflect Jesus' example of humility and peace?

Day 3: Surrender and Honor to Jesus' Lordship
The crowd's response to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, laying down their cloaks and palm branches, exemplifies the appropriate reaction to His lordship—complete surrender and honor. This act of worship was a tangible expression of their recognition of Jesus as the promised Messiah. In the same way, our lives should mirror this posture of reverence and submission, acknowledging Jesus' authority over every aspect of our existence. Surrendering to Jesus means laying down our own ambitions, desires, and plans at His feet, trusting that His ways are higher than ours.

[51:20]

"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." - Galatians 5:24 ESV

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 4: Resisting the Spirit of Religiosity
The discomfort of the Pharisees with the praise Jesus received is indicative of a heart that is resistant to the transformative work of God. Their reaction serves as a cautionary tale against allowing religious tradition or the desire for control to overshadow genuine worship and recognition of God's movements. As believers, it is crucial to remain vigilant against the spirit of religiosity that can harden hearts and blind eyes to the fresh and dynamic ways God chooses to reveal Himself. Instead, we should cultivate a spirit of openness and humility, ready to embrace the new things God is doing.

[52:40]

"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good." - 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 ESV

Reflection: Can you identify any areas in your spiritual life where tradition may be taking precedence over genuine connection with God? How can you ensure that your worship remains heartfelt and authentic?

Day 5: The Inevitability of Jesus' Reign
Jesus' declaration that the stones would cry out if the people were silent underscores the certainty of His kingship and the unstoppable nature of God's redemptive plan. This imagery reminds us that all of creation is attuned to the sovereignty of Christ and is compelled to worship Him. As part of this creation, we are invited to join in this chorus of praise, recognizing Jesus as Lord with a worship that is as natural and unstoppable as the forces of nature. Our adoration should be an intrinsic part of our being, flowing out of us as effortlessly as a river flows to the sea.

[53:29]

"Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth." - Psalm 96:11-13a ESV

Reflection: How can you cultivate a lifestyle of worship that is as consistent and natural as the praise creation offers to its Creator?

Quotes

"The kingdom of God is full of surprises and we should be willing to receive it as such. We see this truth clearly in the traditional Palm Sunday gospel narrative where Jesus shows up in an unexpected way in the final week of his Earthly life. We must be willing to receive his kingdom in surprising ways and open and we must be open to various ways that he may be at work in each one of our Lives." [39:01]( | | )

"Sometimes I think God wants to surprise us and we just don't know if we're willing to be surprised. Let's pray father Lord we ask once again that you would God like we prayed so many times before that none of us would leave this this moment the same way that we entered into it." [39:51]( | | )

"Palm Sunday is the beginning of the Holy Week or the passion week and it historically marks the moment where Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to Proclaim his kingship. It's called Palm Sunday because as Jesus was riding into Jerusalem people were waving palms and they were cheering." [41:46]( | | )

"This morning we want to spend just a few minutes and we're going to talk about the story of Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem but more importantly I want us to think about the surprising nature of the kingdom of God. Let me ask a question how many people like surprises." [42:28]( | | )

"The group of people who were traveling with him or the group of people that were there rightfully identified Jesus for the miracle working Messiah that he is. The group could see that Jesus as the Messiah he was the king." [51:20]( | | )

"Sometimes you and I have to understand the motives behind what's happening. They're seeing branches waved and cloaks put down and branches put down and Jesus is riding in and all of a sudden religious hairs on the back of their head started to stand up a little bit." [52:40]( | | )

"I tell you he replied if they keep quiet the stones will cry out. Now I don't know about you but I've often wondered what kind of a sound a rock would make. Rock music? What kind of a sound would rock make because the problem is sometimes you and I..." [53:29]( | | )

"When was the last time you were genuinely surprised by God? He showed up and he did something and you had to audibly go wow I didn't see that coming. For me it was the last time I looked at Kim's doctor's not and her kidney function was at 2% and it went up to 4%." [46:35]( | | )

"Jesus not only arrived in Jerusalem as a rightful King but he also came as a sacrificial lamb. John 1:35 says the next day John was there again with two of his disciples when he saw Jesus passing by and he said look the Lamb of God." [47:55]( | | )

"If anyone asked you why are you untying it tell them the Lord needs it. Those who were sent ahead went and they found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt its owners asked why are you untying the colt? They replied the Lord needs it." [49:59]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?