“Live with Adoration”

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

(Note: In the spirit of "separation", we continue to hold worship on line. But of course, the word of God never changes! Praise the Lord. May your Palm Sunday be blessed.)

Winston Churchill once offered a word of advice to his nation during a very difficult time, a word that fits our situation perfectly. He said “When you are going through hell, keep on going!” Jesus would probably have phrased the thought differently, but I believe that he would agree with the sentiment. Romans 5:3-5 tells us that when we find our self in times of struggle, we need to stay the course – that when we stay focused on the goal, when we “keep on keeping on”, and eventually, when we come out on the other side, we will be far better for the experience.

It’s no surprise that our world is going through a time not unlike the one that both Winston Churchill and the apostle Paul knew in their day. Churchill knew that the war would have to get worse before it got better, and Paul experienced persecution over and over, as well as countless other trials. (2 Corinthians 11:24-29) But both remained focused on the day of victory, and encouraged others to do the same.

In our passage for today, we read of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, prepared for the trial of his life, a struggle which would bring an eternal victory for both him and for all who will follow.

Read Matthew 21:1-5

It was the week of Passover, and Jerusalem was filled to overflowing by pilgrims from all over the known world. Passover, of course, was Israel’s celebration of God’s protection from death (Exodus 12:12-14), and it was a time to honor the God who had saved them. Little did they know that their God was joining them in celebration that very day.

But he wasn’t who they expected. He appeared to be just another common Jew – not Godly, not a warrior king, no angelic appearance – just a normal, Jewish man. He was known as a gifted rabbi, as a most unusual teacher, and that was about it. But the indicators were all around him, and each should have told the people who he was.

The first was his mode of transportation, and the commands that he gave to his followers.
He would enter the city of Jerusalem, riding on a donkey. While this beast was used by many to ride upon, it was also the animal that a conquering king rode when entering the capital of a defeated nation. It signified that the war was over, and peace now rested on the benevolence of the people’s new king. Jesus was that king for our world.
He told his disciples that if anyone questioned their taking of the animal, that they should tell them “that the Lord” was in need of them, and that the objections would cease.

God had prepared the way for that entry, right down to the donkey’s owner who would know when the right people came along to claim his animal.

Read Matthew 21:6-9

The branches that were spread before him also had a historical significance. In Leviticus, we read that palms were used to create the booths during the Festival of Tabernacles as an honor to God. (Leviticus 23:39-41) This would be a special honor to Jesus, who was coming, not to be praised by the people of Israel, but to gain honor for his Father, and an offer of victory for the very ones who would be hating him.

And palm fronds were also waived to welcome a victorious king back from his campaigns. What a great description for King Jesus.

But the greatest indicator of all was when the people cried out “Hosanna to the Son of David”. They were asking Jesus, in the traditional name of Messiah, for salvation. Of course, very few actually understood what they were asking for, and who they were asking it from. I expect that most were asking for freedom from the oppression that Rome was subjecting them to, but the truth is that this wasn’t what the expression actually meant! They were asking for salvation from the only one who could grant it. But did they truly believe it?

So this raises the same question for our own lives. When we lift up the name of Jesus, when we ask for something in that one and holy name, do we truly believe that he is God, and that he is the one who can and will respond to our every need? It will never be about what we say – but rather about what we believe and live.

And, of course, faith, and especially the lack of faith, is always a reflection of the truth that rests in our heart. That is what prepares us for adoration and praise, and without an honest and trusting faith, we will never be able to bring glory to our Almighty King.

Read Matthew 21:10-11

This was the beginning of the final week of Jesus’ humanity, his final week of ministry, his last chance to inspire the people to believe in him and the salvation that was only available through faith. He would spend nearly every waking moment in teaching the truth of God - primarily to his disciples, but also to anyone who was close enough to hear.

He would overturn the merchants’ tables in the temple and chase the moneychangers out, telling all that they had nothing to do with worship and
- sacrifice and adherence to the law – that they were nothing more than thieves. (Matthew 21:12-13)

He would soon open the temple to all – not just those who could afford to come - when, at the moment of his death, the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom, a symbol that the way to God was now open to all who would come near in faith. (Matthew 27:50-53)

In John 12:20-36, he offered one last explanation of why he had to die. He told them that it was for them, that they were to know that he would never try to avoid death, because it was for their salvation, and not his comfort.

He told the Parable of the Wedding Feast, that after the few who had been chosen to be with him had turned the invitation down, the “Marriage celebration” was opened to all who would come – not just for those who had always been close to the bridegroom, but to all. Eternity would be open to all who would come on his terms, not on their own. (Matthew 22:1-14)

At the Last Supper, the last Passover feast that he would celebrate with his followers, he spends 4 chapters in John’s gospel teaching them one last lesson of faith – that he and he alone was the way to heaven. And he prayed for his own strength, and for courage for his disciples, and for victory for you and me. (John 14-17)

During the Lord’s final earthly week, he did everything that he could to convince the people that he was the only way to eternal life, and that every other way could only lead to death.

Only a few actually learned from these lessons. In Acts 1:15, we read that after Jesus’ ascension, there were only 120 believers still gathering together in his name.

Have we learned his lesson?
Are we prepared to share these lessons with those who have yet to believe?
Are we ready to work to the glory of God by leading others into the hope and life of Jesus Christ?
Are we truly living to bring praise and glory and adoration to our Lord and Savior, the One who took, not only the animosity of the world, but the burden of sin that we have created?

Do we live our lives as though we truly love and acknowledge Jesus Christ for all he has done? If not, this would be a good time to begin!