Jesus made His entry into Jerusalem Palm Sunday, declaring His supremacy as the long awaited Messiah, King and Savior. As we come upon Easter Sunday, we will see what this means in our lives today.
Mark 11:1-10 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
Palm Sunday, Jesus was coming in fulfillment of God's Word as the long awaited Messiah and Savior of Israel (Zechariah 9:9). The cloaks on the road symbolized the crowd's submission to Jesus as king while the palm branches were signs connected to times of prominent Jewish victories. The cry "Hosanna" was a term meaning "Please save" Son of David and exemplified the people's cry to Jesus as the promised Davidic Savior.
The Israelites had a hope that was fulfilled in Jesus' coming according to God's promised Word. Through the cross, Jesus conquered Satan, the power of sin and death in our lives and will make a return, not to die, but to reign over all the earth in righteousness. This is the continued promise of His Word. Until that time, He comes to you like the colt and says He has need of you to fulfill His purposes.
"But everyone who lined the streets had a different reason for waving those palms. Some were political activists; they’d heard Jesus had supernatural power, and they wanted him to use it to free Israel from Roman rule. Others had loved ones who were sick or dying. They waved branches, hoping for physical healing. Some were onlookers merely looking for something to do, while others were genuine followers who wished Jesus would establish himself as an earthly king. Jesus was the only one in the parade who knew why he was going to Jerusalem – to die. He had a mission, while everyone else had an agenda." - Bill Hybels
How does the Lord lay hold of you and what does it look like for Him to use you in the fulfillment of His word?
Colossians 4:2-18 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him, and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Show up because it ALL matters in the fulfillment of God's purposes and Word.
- Your resources (the colt in Mark 11)
- Your prayers (Colossians 4:2-4, 12-13)
- Your outreach (Colossians 4:5-6)
- Your testimony/encouragement (Colossians 4:7-9)
- Your ministry/service (Colossians 4:10-18)
“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” ― Theodore Roosevelt
Second City Church- The Supremacy of Christ Sermon Series 2016