March 28, 2010
Morning Service

This morning we want to revisit Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Before this entry some very important things have been said, and done.  Let us look at them.

 

1.       In chapter 11 Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

2.      The Pharisees make plans to kill Jesus.

3.      Caiaphas, the high priest prophesied that one man needed to die for all the people, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

4.      The Passover was coming and the people wondered if Jesus would come to the feast.  The chief priests, and Pharisees had given a command that if anyone saw Jesus they should come and tell them so they could arrest Him.

 

Beginning with chapter 12 we see the event of Mary anointing the feet of the Lord with a very costly oil.  Judas mentioned how that this expensive oil could’ve been sold and helped the poor.  Jesus told them “leave her alone, she has kept this oil for the day of my burial, besides you will always have the poor around to help.”

 

This was a very happy time for Jesus, being with His friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  That is if you could be happy knowing that the cross awaits you.  When many of the Jews heard that He was there they came to see Jesus, and not Him alone, but Lazarus who had been raised from the dead.  John said many of the Jews believed on Jesus when they saw Lazarus sitting at the table with Him.

 

THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY.

 

Joh 12:12-22 KJVR  On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,  (13)  Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.  (14)  And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,  (15)  Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 

• Psa 118:19-29 KJVR  Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:  (20)  This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.  (21)  I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.  (22)  The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.  (23)  This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.  (24)  This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  (25)  Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.  (26)  Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.  (27)  God is the LORD, which hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.  (28)  Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.  (29)  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.
• Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.  Zec.9:9.
• Jesus knows what this kind of praise and attention will do to the Priests, and the Pharisees. 

 

(16)  These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.  (17)  The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.  (18)  For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.  (19)  The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

• Luk 19:36-40 KJVR  And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.  (37)  And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;  (38)  Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.  (39)  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.  (40)  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

 

 

 

(20)  And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:  (21)  The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.  (22)  Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

• Certain Greeks.  This comment is made concerning this statement.

There are three opinions in regard to these persons:

1.      that they were Jews who spoke the Greek language, and dwelt in some of the Greek cities. It is known that Jews were scattered in Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia, Egypt, etc., in all which places they had synagogues. See the notes at Joh_7:35,

2.      that they were proselytes from the Greeks.

3.      that they were still Gentiles and idolaters, who came to bring offerings to Yahweh to be deposited in the temple. Lightfoot has shown that the surrounding pagans were accustomed not only to send presents, sacrifices, and offerings to the temple, but that they also frequently attended the great feasts of the Jews. Hence, the outer court of the temple was called the court of the Gentiles. Which of these opinions is the correct one cannot be determined.

·         But the astounding thing in this Scripture is the statement, “Sirs, we would see Jesus.”  No matter who or where these people came from, they wanted to see Jesus.

·         I have said it many times, why can’t we get people today to say this?  Well I believe it is going to happen more often in the immediate future, than it has in the past. 

·         Times are getting very uncertain, and there is only one way people are going to have any peace of mind, and that is to have Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  To be His disciple.  To follow His teachings.

·         Jesus right away begins teaching them the way to victory, and peace.

 

Joh 12:23-26 KJVR  And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.  (24)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  (25)  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  (26)  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.

 

·         He that loveth his life shall lose it.  If you are satisfied with your life, and enjoying the things of this world, and do not follow Me or My teachings, you will lose your life.

·         and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  I realize just how true this statement is.  When I first came to the Lord in 1969, I was sick and tired of the life I had been living.  God had given me a wonderful wife, and two wonderful children, but I had made a mess of my life because I thought I was enjoying the things of this world.  They were destroying me and my family.  So I turned my back on the things of this world, and put God, and His things first, and He has given me life eternal, and peace that passes all understanding.

·         THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE, AND PEACE, AND THAT IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.  THE ONLY WAY TO BE PLEASING TO GOD IS TO COLD TURKEY THE WORLD, AND JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET, AND FOLLOW JESUS TO PEACE, AND VICTORY.

 

MAKE UP YOUR MIND THAT YOU WANT TO BE WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO BE, AND HE WILL BLESS YOU BEYOND YOUR WILDEST IMAGINATION.

 

WHY NOT LET TODAY BE THE MOST GLORIOUS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY EXPERIENCE OF ALL, AS YOU LET JESUS TRIUMPHANTLY ENTER YOUR HEART, AND LIFE?

 

THEN YOU CAN HEAR HIM SAY;  Joh 14:27 KJVR  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

MAY GOD ADD HIS BLESSINGS TO HIS WORD.