March 16, 2008 – Palm Sunday
Sun Oak Baptist Church
Introduction
Church calendars and even some secular calendars label this day “Palm Sunday” in recognition of what Bible scholars refer to as Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Just for the record: we don’t know if Jesus actually entered Jerusalem on a Sunday – it may have been Monday.
Be that as it may be “the triumphal entry” announces Jesus Christ’s Kingship. As our Lord rode that animal into the city of Jerusalem He was declaring: “Behold: I am your King…Israel: you have been looking for a king – He has arrived.”
Remember that Matthew was Jewish and as God lead him to write this Gospel He was burdened for his Jewish brethren that had rejected Jesus Christ as Messiah. Jesus Christ was Jewish, and His primary purpose during His earthly ministry was to preach the Gospel to the nation of Israel and to fulfill prophecy regarding God’s promise to send a Messiah that would save them. See Rom. 1:16.
The triumphal entry announces Jesus Christ’s Kingship. In verse 1-17 there are 4 events that: announce and affirm the kingship of Christ; all 4 fulfill prophecy; all 4 are distinctively Jewish in nature, but at the same time bigger than Israel; and all 4 have application to our lives today.
How: how does Jesus Christ announce His kingship?
I. He announces His kingship by entering Jerusalem on a donkey.See 21:1-5.
Why ride into Jerusalem on a donkey? 3 reasons:
A. #1: arriving on a donkey was a sign of royalty. Note: it wouldn’t have been a “donkey” as we know one today.
B. #2: arriving on a donkey fulfilled prophecy regarding the Messiah. See Zec. 9:9-10
C. #3: arriving on a donkey established that His kingship was not for Israel only. Jesus did come for Israel, but He also to any Gentile that will turn to Him as King. See Rom. 1:16.
II. Jesus now affirms His kingship by cleansing the temple. See 21:12-13.
Why would Jesus cause such a ruckus? 2 reasons:
A. #1: He is again fulfilling prophecy. See Is. 56:6-8. Isaiah 56 about the coming kingdom of God – it is future – prophetic.
B. #2: This again points to the fact that the Gospel is for all mankind – not just for Israel.
C. Note: our Lord’s passion for His Father’s glory also serves as an example for us. Jesus had a deep passion for His Father’s glory – so should we.
III. Jesus affirms His kingship by healing the sick. See 21:14.
A. Imagine the impact this must have had on the people witnessing it.
Examples: the temple was the most public place in the city; it was the center of Jewish life – and the outer court where this takes place was an incredibly busy place where Jews and Gentiles congregated.
B. Remember that when John the Baptist was in jail he sent messengers to ask Jesus: “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” In other words, John wanted to know: “are you the coming king of Israel – are you the Messiah?”
Jesus sent back a message. Matt. 11:4-5: “Go and report what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk” - the specific 2 categories of sickness that Matthew and Isaiah list.
IV. Finally: Jesus affirms His kingship by His response to children. See 21:15.
A. Notice that there’s “a very great multitude” following Jesus. We can be sure that the majority of the people knew that Jesus was a king.
The crowds were shouting: “Hosanna (which means “salvation”) to the Son of David (that is – the hoped for king like David); blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” This is a direct quote of Psalm 118:26. In other words: “The king is here – the king is here!”
B. Why the children?
Psalm 8 refers to God. Jesus receives the praises of the children and then explains His willingness to do so to the indignant Jewish leaders by quoting a Psalm where children are praising God. By doing so He is confirming His deity.
The Messiah has to be God and had to be man. Jesus accepted the peoples’ worship, including the children, in direct fulfillment of prophecy and to affirm His deity.
Conclusion