WEBVTT 00:00:00.420 --> 00:00:01.800 Good morning church family. 00:00:01.800 --> 00:00:09.000 It's good to worship with you this morning and glad especially to worship Christ anytime with you, especially this 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:09.800 week. 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.010 This week for us is the pinnacle of what it means to follow after Jesus together. 00:00:15.700 --> 00:00:23.020 Palm Sunday is really the kickoff to the celebration of this week in which Jesus was "All In" for us. 00:00:23.040 --> 00:00:25.900 And so we're going to start a series together beginning today. 00:00:26.380 --> 00:00:28.710 And this is really the prelude to our series. 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:34.100 Today I'm going to be in Matthew 21 so if you want to grab a Bible, and find Matthew 21 with me. 00:00:34.300 --> 00:00:40.110 As we go through this passage, we're going to use this as a lead in for us through our series in the book of 1 Peter. 00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:47.630 As we see Jesus in this time period all in for us, we want to respond in a way that is all in for him. 00:00:48.180 --> 00:00:55.320 So this week, next week we're going to talk about the significance of Easter and then use that as a springboard to dive into 1 Peter in our 00:00:55.320 --> 00:00:57.210 lives and being all in for Jesus. 00:00:57.560 --> 00:01:04.780 And while we look at this passage today, one of the things I want to encourage you in as a church family is just the way that you have responded 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:05.940 to this season. 00:01:06.820 --> 00:01:13.900 I know that there's churches all across the country that are doing things right now in response to the coronavirus and 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:15.430 the way lives are being impacted. 00:01:15.820 --> 00:01:18.040 And I'll just say I'm partial to ours, okay? 00:01:18.340 --> 00:01:23.600 And I love you and I'm just encouraged by the way people are responding to help each other out. 00:01:23.660 --> 00:01:30.760 Not even having to create a church ministry, official ministry to do this, but out of your love for Jesus and in that love 00:01:30.760 --> 00:01:32.360 for Jesus, your love for others. 00:01:32.360 --> 00:01:34.980 The way that you respond has been an encouragement. 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:37.620 We've had donations dropped off to help families in need. 00:01:38.360 --> 00:01:43.740 We've asked for nonperishable food items, over the counter medications, wipes, formula. 00:01:44.020 --> 00:01:46.120 Things that we can help out with families during this time. 00:01:46.180 --> 00:01:49.440 And even we started a corona relief fund and seeing the response to that. 00:01:50.160 --> 00:01:55.590 And in the way that people have even jumped on board and doing things like creating masks to help people on the front lines. 00:01:55.720 --> 00:02:01.200 Just appreciate the serving attitude that you've carried because it's a reflection of Jesus. 00:02:01.960 --> 00:02:07.160 And I think it really culminates in seeing that in the picture of what this week represents for us. 00:02:07.660 --> 00:02:10.930 This is Palm Sunday, today is Palm Sunday. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:15.590 And that has huge implications for us as God's people as it leads to the cross of Christ. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:20.180 But maybe you've asked, maybe all of us asked why in the world Palm Sunday? 00:02:20.180 --> 00:02:21.560 That is such an odd name. 00:02:22.200 --> 00:02:24.400 You think about any title that you could give today. 00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:26.140 Why is today Palm Sunday? 00:02:26.140 --> 00:02:29.680 What does it mean for us and why does it matter? 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:36.340 That's what I want to talk about as we look at this passage in Matthew 21 what does it mean for us and why does it matter? 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:44.200 And I want to look at this from a historical perspective and then relate it to us today and how we can apply this day as a place for 00:02:44.200 --> 00:02:49.650 our hearts to worship and what it means despite any circumstance that we're in. 00:02:49.760 --> 00:02:56.980 And so when you look at Palm Sunday this week, and let me just encourage you as you consider what today means as 00:02:56.980 --> 00:02:58.660 it goes throughout this week. 00:02:58.980 --> 00:03:05.720 This is the final period of Jesus's life, the last week of his life on earth as he's getting ready to go to the cross. 00:03:06.180 --> 00:03:09.510 The gospels really hone in on this section of scripture. 00:03:09.780 --> 00:03:14.880 And so this week if you want to read this Passover as it takes place, we're going to jump into Matthew 21. 00:03:15.100 --> 00:03:22.480 But as you go further into Matthew 21 those are the final weeks of Jesus's life, all the way to chapter 28 you can read a chapter a day as it relates to 00:03:22.480 --> 00:03:24.740 the last days of Jesus's life. 00:03:24.820 --> 00:03:31.410 Those chapters don't necessarily sequentially follow each day, but you do have seven chapters in seven days that you could read. 00:03:32.480 --> 00:03:38.340 It also carries the same idea in the gospel of Mark 11 all the way to Mark 16. 00:03:38.340 --> 00:03:42.420 Or in the gospel of Luke, I think it starts in chapter 19. 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:45.840 You can read along in Jesus's final moments of his life. 00:03:46.740 --> 00:03:52.840 Or even on Thursday when Jesus went in the upper room with his disciples, John 13 to John 17. 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:56.280 Those are the final moments with his disciples in the upper room on Thursday night. 00:03:56.320 --> 00:03:57.820 You could read that just on Thursday. 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:00.220 Great passages to read. 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:07.860 And if I kind of set the tone leading into this week, the disciples were anticipating what was about to 00:04:07.940 --> 00:04:09.380 take place in the life of Jesus. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:12.240 He couldn't hide anymore. 00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:16.100 The attention that was just brought around Christ had attracted the masses. 00:04:16.880 --> 00:04:22.180 And when you get to the gospel of Mark, if you read in chapter eight, chapter nine, and chapter 10 all three of those chapters. 00:04:22.780 --> 00:04:27.220 Each chapter, Jesus starts to tell his disciples he's about to die. 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:33.120 And when you get to chapter 10 he even tells us where he's about to die. 00:04:34.340 --> 00:04:41.520 And then in chapter 10 verse 32 he tells us it's going to be in Jerusalem, and even the hands of the Gentiles will 00:04:41.520 --> 00:04:43.250 play a part in his death. 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:49.400 And then in those moments when he's describing his death, he then looks to his disciples and say, let's go to Jerusalem. 00:04:50.900 --> 00:04:53.870 And in verse 32 of chapter 10 you see their response. 00:04:54.100 --> 00:04:58.420 So this sorta sets the tone of how the disciples were perceiving these moments. 00:04:58.440 --> 00:05:04.460 And in verse 32 it says they were now on the way up to Jerusalem and Jesus was walking ahead of them. 00:05:04.520 --> 00:05:09.820 The disciples were filled with awe and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. 00:05:11.200 --> 00:05:15.580 You can imagine a guy that's pronouncing his death saying it's going to happen in Jerusalem, now on his way to Jerusalem. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:19.840 And he's leading the pack and everyone else kind of following behind them thinking, why? 00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:21.140 Why are we doing this? 00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:24.860 He knows he's going to die there and yet he's walking into Jerusalem. 00:05:25.240 --> 00:05:30.200 What is the importance of Palm Sunday in this whole picture, this moment leads to Palm Sunday. 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:31.680 Why does it matter? 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:32.820 What does it mean for us? 00:05:34.330 --> 00:05:39.320 I want to share with us the significance of this day really just through three images. 00:05:39.340 --> 00:05:46.420 Because without really saying a whole lot, these images that create an illustration of beauty, and significance to this 00:05:46.420 --> 00:05:50.430 day for us and why we see it so important in worship. 00:05:51.140 --> 00:05:58.620 And those symbols for us in this story, Matthew 21, are a donkey, a song, and 00:05:58.620 --> 00:05:59.570 a palm branch. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:03.700 A donkey, a song, and a palm branch. 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:07.100 What do they mean for us? 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:10.040 Beautiful imagery around these pictures. 00:06:10.540 --> 00:06:18.040 And Matthew 21 starts off in verse one wanting us to see the significance of what these pictures represent 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:19.400 beginning with the donkey. 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:22.160 Let's look at the significance of the donkey for a moment. 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:29.990 In verse one it says this, when they approached Jerusalem, Jesus sent two disciples saying to them, go into the village, 00:06:30.780 --> 00:06:35.560 find a donkey tied there and a colt with her, untie them and bring them to me. 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:40.230 So this donkey has just delivered this baby and the mother's going to want to be next to her child. 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:42.050 And so they bring both of them together. 00:06:42.080 --> 00:06:46.600 In verse three if anyone says anything to you shall say the Lord has needed them. 00:06:47.280 --> 00:06:48.700 And immediately he will send them. 00:06:49.500 --> 00:06:53.120 And this took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet. 00:06:53.980 --> 00:07:01.200 Verse five, saying to the daughter of Zion, behold, your King is coming to you, gentle and mounted on a donkey, even a colt, the 00:07:01.300 --> 00:07:02.740 foal of a beast of burden. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:06.200 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them. 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:10.480 Verse seven, and brought the donkey and the colt and laid their coats on them. 00:07:11.200 --> 00:07:13.640 And he sat on the coats. 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:23.020 In these moments, what the people of Israel have been longing for is the fulfillment of a promise of a Messiah. 00:07:24.940 --> 00:07:25.440 A rescuer. 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:28.320 That's what he was, a rescuer. 00:07:29.580 --> 00:07:36.320 They were a people that were God's chosen and they knew that a savior was to come and they were longing for the day. 00:07:36.380 --> 00:07:43.400 In fact, if you were to read the last two books of the Old Testament, you'll find that the book of Zachariah 00:07:43.400 --> 00:07:48.320 and Malakai are heavy in its emphasis of the Messiah. 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:53.520 And the very last chapter of the last book, Malakai, talks about the coming of Elijah. 00:07:54.400 --> 00:07:57.480 And even today the Jews will practice the Passover. 00:07:57.700 --> 00:08:03.520 And there's a portion of that celebration, that dinner in which they look for an Elijah. 00:08:04.760 --> 00:08:11.690 And when you get to the New Testament, the Bible tells us that Elijah figure was John the Baptist and Malika says, and Elijah is going to come, he's going to proclaim this Messiah. 00:08:11.940 --> 00:08:16.100 And so they're looking for this Elijah figure in the proclamation of this Messiah. 00:08:16.260 --> 00:08:23.300 So these last two books of the Bible are heavily emphasizing this idea of a Redeemer, a rescuer, a Messiah who is to come. 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:25.980 And so Israel is longing for this moment. 00:08:26.280 --> 00:08:33.400 And in Matthew 21 the author is saying to us, look, Jesus is riding on a donkey in verse four, why 00:08:33.400 --> 00:08:34.380 is this important? 00:08:34.380 --> 00:08:35.220 Because this is a fulfillment. 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:37.039 And where is the fulfillment? 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:41.900 Out of one of the last books of the Old Testament that's looking forward to this Messiah. 00:08:42.140 --> 00:08:47.560 And what does this Messiah do in order to fulfill the promise that was declared to him from the prophet? 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:49.840 He rides on a donkey. 00:08:51.300 --> 00:08:57.220 Zechariah 9:9 tells them when their Messiah comes, it will be on the back of a donkey. 00:08:58.720 --> 00:09:04.660 And so what Matthew is declaring for us is, not only is God a promise maker, but he's a promise fulfiller. 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:08.540 And so he's riding into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:12.440 And you can just picture in your mind this moment what it would look like. 00:09:13.020 --> 00:09:20.140 Israel, this pilgrimage is taking place among these people into the city of Jerusalem to celebrate one of their most sacred holidays, 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:27.080 Passover, the day that God rescued them out of Egypt as a picture of a future rescue of the ultimate Messiah who would come. 00:09:28.800 --> 00:09:32.500 The streets are loaded and Jesus comes. 00:09:34.780 --> 00:09:35.780 On the back of a donkey. 00:09:38.140 --> 00:09:38.560 Think about this. 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:47.860 If you were to become a leader somewhere, maybe this is stretching our imagination a bit, but let's say you were to become 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:53.460 king and you were to make your public appearance before people in that declaration and the masses. 00:09:55.680 --> 00:09:56.500 How would you want to arrive? 00:09:58.840 --> 00:09:59.920 What would you ride on? 00:10:01.540 --> 00:10:02.180 A helicopter? 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:03.740 A limo? 00:10:05.280 --> 00:10:06.200 How about a donkey? 00:10:08.160 --> 00:10:14.530 You think in Jesus's day, if you could have picked anything to ride on, a beautiful carriage? 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:20.200 I mean, if you are king, a powerful war horse decked out maybe in armor. 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:22.160 Why a donkey? 00:10:24.460 --> 00:10:31.620 Out of all the things Jesus could have picked for his grand entrance in Jerusalem on his final week, of which he just declared to his disciples, he's 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:35.340 going to die, he picks a donkey. 00:10:37.160 --> 00:10:37.660 Why a donkey? 00:10:39.920 --> 00:10:42.420 He's a King and he's coming to take his position. 00:10:42.520 --> 00:10:45.960 When a King would go to battle, they wouldn't do it on a donkey. 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.870 They would do it on a horse. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.440 But a donkey has a different purpose. 00:10:53.140 --> 00:10:55.700 The donkey is considered a serving animal. 00:10:57.600 --> 00:10:58.620 It's a humble animal. 00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:08.320 It's an animal that's used not in times of war like a horse, but an animal that represents peace, because 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:10.320 you wrote on a donkey during times of peace. 00:11:11.400 --> 00:11:13.160 Times when you would plow land and harvest. 00:11:13.160 --> 00:11:14.840 You would ride the horse for war. 00:11:17.180 --> 00:11:19.130 And Jesus comes in on a donkey. 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:26.080 In 1 Kings 1, when Solomon was inaugurated as king, David had Solomon ride on the back of a donkey. 00:11:28.040 --> 00:11:32.600 As if to declare to the people, here's a king of peace, a servant of the people. 00:11:34.400 --> 00:11:41.640 What Jesus, without saying anything to us, is declaring not only does he fulfill promises, but he also 00:11:41.640 --> 00:11:49.400 comes as a King who is serving to offer peace in 00:11:49.400 --> 00:11:52.260 our relationship to God. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:55.620 Why does this donkey matter? 00:11:57.400 --> 00:12:02.420 Well, for us today it is an incredible demonstration to the character of our Lord. 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:08.240 Without ever saying anything it communicates the kind of person he is. 00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:16.260 He could have picked the most elaborate way of travel, but he chose a humble donkey. 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:23.900 As a promise keeper, a promise fulfiller, but also as a humble King that has come to serve and make himself available. 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:26.940 Both to the people in Israel during this time and to you today. 00:12:29.160 --> 00:12:36.300 When you think about the beauty of what that represents for us, what kind of environment does it take for 00:12:36.300 --> 00:12:38.090 your children to thrive in? 00:12:39.900 --> 00:12:44.100 Because the Bible describes for us, God is a father who cares for us as his children. 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:52.220 When you think about your home, what kind of home do you want to have for your kids to welcome them in so that they can be strong? 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.120 So that they can grow and mature? 00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:59.560 Safe, right? 00:12:59.560 --> 00:13:06.080 Peaceful, protective, caring, loving, gracious, serving. 00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:10.060 That's who Jesus is. 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:15.640 He is that place that welcomes us through this posture. 00:13:16.880 --> 00:13:19.660 And not only that, it becomes a model for God's people. 00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:23.920 A model that I've even encouraged you as we started together, that we've displayed during this coronavirus. 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:32.100 That God, for us is a humble servant, as a demonstration of how our lives should be led. 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:39.300 So when you think about the significance of what Palm Sunday is for us, this image of this donkey becomes a massive picture to the character 00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:45.260 of our God and what he brings into our lives by giving himself in Jerusalem. 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:54.420 And not only does the Bible share the significance of this donkey, but he goes on in verse eight of Matthew 21 it says, in talking 00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:58.760 about this song, most of the crowds spread their coats on the road as Jesus came. 00:13:58.800 --> 00:14:01.900 And others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 00:14:01.900 --> 00:14:03.420 And the crowd's going ahead of him. 00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:06.870 And those who followed were shouting, Hosanna to the son of David. 00:14:06.900 --> 00:14:10.430 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest. 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:14.520 And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred saying, who is this? 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:20.340 You can imagine this massive holiday, Jerusalem just packed and everyone buzzing. 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:26.000 And it even tells you the crowds are just in the street and they see Jesus and no doubt in their minds. 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:29.430 This Messianic picture of the last two chapters of the Old Testament. 00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:35.720 When the prophets went silent, they could be on their mind and they think about, okay, and here comes this Jesus that we've heard about. 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:40.720 And he's riding on a donkey just like Zachariah 9 says. 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.420 And what's their response? 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:50.360 Well, it tells us in verse nine, they sing the song Hosanna. 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.180 Hosanna. 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:52.820 The son of David. 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:54.480 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:57.080 Why does this song manner? 00:14:57.860 --> 00:15:00.360 Why does Matthew want us to know about this song? 00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:09.260 Well, when you study this Passover time period, it was common for Israel during the Passover, part of this celebration included a 00:15:09.260 --> 00:15:16.440 portion of scripture reading and scripture singing, which was called the Hallel, the songs of ascent, which is Psalm 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:18.060 113 to 118. 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:23.990 Israel would sing these Psalms during the Passover celebration and most likely just to pass the time in their travel. 00:15:24.180 --> 00:15:28.780 What these individuals are doing as they walked this road, they're singing the Hallel, these the song of ascent. 00:15:28.780 --> 00:15:34.210 And some speculate the reason it's called the songs of ascent is because to get to Jerusalem, they're going up. 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:36.980 And so they would sing these songs as they go up. 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:44.080 And could you imagine this moment, you see Jesus coming on the back of a donkey and you're singing these songs and all of a sudden in the middle of these songs, 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:50.300 you get to this portion of scripture that cries out this prophetic statement about the Messiah himself. 00:15:50.760 --> 00:15:58.170 How ironic or maybe of divine circumstance that Jesus would be riding on a donkey as they're shouting and singing these very words, 00:15:58.920 --> 00:16:02.400 Hosanna, Hosanna. 00:16:02.400 --> 00:16:05.680 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:16:05.680 --> 00:16:08.720 This word Hosannah means salvation now. 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:14.740 And they're quoting from Psalm 118:25-26. 00:16:16.880 --> 00:16:20.120 Could you imagine being Israel in this moment? 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:29.460 That the Passover was an event that took place in Israel's history as they escaped out of Egypt, that God brought the Passover lamb and 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:31.430 said, cover the blood of the lamb over your doorposts. 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:38.450 And God will let the death angel go through Egypt and you'll be able to escape, if you apply the blood of the lamb. 00:16:38.540 --> 00:16:42.200 And whoever applies the blood, you won't die or your firstborn will live. 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:46.160 And so they apply the blood and Pharaoh lets them free. 00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:51.220 And they run in that freedom towards the promised land that God would provide. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:17:00.540 And this physical Passover in Egypt became a model throughout the rest of scripture of what God would ultimately do 00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:01.580 through the true Messiah. 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:07.180 And in these moments, they cry out towards the Messiah. 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.619 Salvation. 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.940 Hosanna, save now God. 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:21.940 This picture is now being fulfilled of this physical Passover in the one who would ultimately come and 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:22.440 rescue them. 00:17:25.040 --> 00:17:29.500 And what this Psalm reminds us of, is that Christ gives us a song to sing. 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:35.930 As true as it was for the children of Israel in singing this song, as true as it is for us today. 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:40.620 That in his salvation guys, he gives us a song to sing. 00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:47.420 This week is your week in that reflection to sing that song of praise. 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:54.900 To allow your heart to embrace not only the gift historically of this moment, but what it represents to you today. 00:17:56.940 --> 00:18:04.240 That Jesus would be this rescuer for you and your heart can rejoice in the coming of this Messiah, that he's given your 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:06.780 soul a reason to sing his praise. 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:12.060 And if you can't find a reason to sing that praise, can I just say to you this morning, you're not looking close enough. 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:21.380 Because the characteristic of this King, this King who serves in peace is one who came for your soul. 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:30.000 And not only that, not only do we see the picture of the donkey and we see the picture of song, but we also see in this story the picture 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.880 of Palm branch. 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:39.300 And in verse eight it describes it for us, right as he's going down the street, these people in this moment, they see the Christ that 00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:43.470 others have talked about throughout the land and here they are in this moment. 00:18:43.760 --> 00:18:46.430 They happen to see this Jesus riding on this donkey. 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:51.310 And the people start to respond by laying down coats and they lay down palm branches. 00:18:51.320 --> 00:18:52.820 What do these palms are present? 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:59.180 Well, in the time of Jesus, it was a way to celebrate the victory of a King. 00:19:01.060 --> 00:19:05.460 It was one of power and symbolically and won a victory. 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:15.220 Palm leaves were used as a part of a celebration when in Roman athletics, when the competitors would win, 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:18.840 they would be awarded with palm branches as a symbol of strength. 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:28.280 And now in this moment and the recognition of celebration and victory and power and strength of the coming of Jesus, they lay it down before their King as 00:19:28.280 --> 00:19:32.290 if to acknowledge that Jesus, we want you to take your rightful place. 00:19:35.780 --> 00:19:36.060 Here's the problem. 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.160 Honestly, they missed them. 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:48.040 Palm Sunday came and they are responding in these moments, but truthfully they missed them. 00:19:49.580 --> 00:19:57.180 When you read about this same interaction that happens in the gospel of Luke, in Luke 19:41, this 00:19:57.180 --> 00:20:03.180 verse is right off the backdrop, the very previous verse, is Jesus riding in on a donkey into Jerusalem. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:08.660 And they're waving these palm branches before Christ and crying out Hosanna. 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:10.180 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:20:10.580 --> 00:20:13.360 But in verse 41 it gives us Jesus's reaction to this moment. 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:18.360 You picture in your mind, it tells you the crowds, Matthew 21, the crowds are everywhere. 00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:20.750 And how does Jesus respond? 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:28.440 It says this in verse 41 as he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, Jesus wept 00:20:29.300 --> 00:20:36.910 over it and said, if you even you, had only known on this day, what would bring you peace? 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:39.140 But now it's hidden from your eyes. 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:48.800 Jesus even acknowledging in this moment right on the back of a donkey, that he a King that's come for peace, 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:57.420 and yet he weeps in recognizing that while the people outwardly display this affection towards him, inwardly 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:59.700 their hearts do not belong to him. 00:21:01.320 --> 00:21:02.580 And Jesus weeps. 00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:12.020 You know what's incredible in this story if you read in Matthew 21 and you go throughout this week, if you read a chapter a week, 00:21:12.020 --> 00:21:19.200 what you're going to find is that Jesus goes on some of the boldest responses that 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:21.620 he gives in all of the scriptures to his identity. 00:21:23.040 --> 00:21:27.260 He goes into the temple right after this, he cleanses the temple where he drives people out of the temple. 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:34.820 The religious leaders come to him at the very end of chapter 21 and chapter 22, and they ask him questions to try to trap him and Jesus answers 00:21:34.820 --> 00:21:39.180 their questions masterfully and give some parables in between all of it. 00:21:39.260 --> 00:21:46.840 And then in chapter 23 comes before the religious leaders and he delivers the seven woes in the declaration against them and calling them whitewashed 00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:51.080 tombs that on the outside they look beautiful, but on the inside full of dead man's bones. 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:55.930 And then in chapter 24 the disciples know that this has been a very tense time. 00:21:57.320 --> 00:22:04.020 And they looked to Jesus on the end of chapter 24 as he's walking out of Jerusalem and they just say, but Jesus doesn't the temple look good? 00:22:04.020 --> 00:22:07.620 And in chapter 24 and 25 this is where Jesus says to him, it doesn't matter. 00:22:07.620 --> 00:22:08.360 It's all going to be destroyed. 00:22:09.780 --> 00:22:11.180 The days of the temple are done. 00:22:13.820 --> 00:22:20.940 And by the time you get to chapter 27, the same crowd that cried out, Hosanna, 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:23.540 blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:31.220 Verse 22 of chapter 27 they become the same people that chant, "crucify, crucify." 00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:40.180 Pilate even asks in verse 11 of chapter 27, "Are you a King?" And Jesus 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:44.160 even has to teach them in those moments, I am a King, but my kingdom is not of this world. 00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:47.300 If it were so would told my servants to fight. 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:57.800 The irony of the people as they lift up their voices and singing Psalm 118 to 00:22:57.800 --> 00:22:59.820 Jesus and they lower their palm branches. 00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:05.670 The irony of this story is the very same Psalm 118 that says Hosanna. 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:08.180 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:23:08.300 --> 00:23:09.640 Just a few verses before that. 00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:16.640 Verse 22 it tells us that he is the cornerstone, the stone which the builders rejected. 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:25.960 The same Psalm that gives the declaration of the identity of Jesus, acknowledges that people will reject him and not recognize him for who he 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.380 is. 00:23:27.540 --> 00:23:34.640 And so when you look at the Palm branches that are used in these moments to declare the goodness of who Christ is, the unfortunate part of this story 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:38.440 is that even though people are outwardly praising the name of God, they missed him. 00:23:38.820 --> 00:23:40.220 How did they miss him? 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:50.360 I think the answer is simple in their lives, their expectation of who Jesus would be for them wasn't 00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:51.300 who he really was. 00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:57.940 See what they wanted was one who would come physically to preserve the things that they owned in this world. 00:23:58.720 --> 00:24:05.420 But Jesus knows this world is passing away and what he came as is a rescue for us and to spiritually make us new in him. 00:24:07.060 --> 00:24:11.520 And so they placed an expectation on Jesus that wasn't what Jesus came to achieve for us. 00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:14.480 He came to set us free by paying for our sins on the cross. 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:18.620 And when Jesus went to the cross, they rejected him and chanted crucify. 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:27.140 And I think we can fall into the same mistake of Jesus today that we set this idea of Jesus or this idea of God, but it isn't who 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:27.820 God is. 00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:36.040 Look, we say it like this as a church family, if the picture of your God agrees with everything that you say 00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:38.700 about him, it's probably not God. 00:24:43.060 --> 00:24:46.340 Most likely it's an idol that you've set up of God. 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:55.860 Because the truth is sometimes following God isn't easy, and some areas of our lives that requires us to 00:24:55.920 --> 00:25:00.240 die to the flesh, I should say, all areas that requires us to die to the flesh, to live for him. 00:25:02.760 --> 00:25:09.020 To let go of things that we might hold onto in order to hold onto what is greater, which is Jesus. 00:25:11.540 --> 00:25:13.540 And the people in Jesus's day didn't want to do that. 00:25:16.320 --> 00:25:21.620 They preferred to hold onto their own kingdoms and the glory in which they established for themselves than to embrace this King. 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:30.680 Our expectations of Jesus can cause us to miss the significance of Jesus. 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:40.060 That's why it's so important for us when we pick up the scriptures to read it like a child and just say, Jesus, teach me who 00:25:40.060 --> 00:25:40.360 you are. 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:45.080 God isn't who you say he is. 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.860 He isn't who others say he is. 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:49.450 He is who he says he is. 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:53.590 And so what are these palm branches mean for us? 00:25:55.080 --> 00:26:00.680 These palm branches are a representation of your heart and your surrender. 00:26:02.520 --> 00:26:07.420 As you think about the significance of this week, Palm Sunday. 00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:15.880 Jesus goes all in for you and this is the question for you is, are you all in for him? 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:23.820 Have you surrendered to this King who comes peacefully for the rescuing of your soul? 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:31.460 Palm Sunday is so important for us because this is the week of the Anthem of God's people. 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:34.840 He didn't just come to us. 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:37.300 He overcame for us. 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.830 Why does it matter? 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:41.140 What does it mean? 00:26:43.860 --> 00:26:48.420 You have a peace loving, caring King who came for your rescue. 00:26:49.320 --> 00:26:50.220 That's why it matters. 00:26:52.820 --> 00:26:58.940 He invites your soul to belong and grow in his strength. 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.340 So what does it mean? 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:11.840 What it means for us is really, it poses this question, have you surrendered and bowed to him in the truthfulness 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:12.620 of your own heart? 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:21.020 Not just this outward conformity, but inwardly have you laid your life down for him as he has laid his life down for 00:27:21.020 --> 00:27:21.360 you? 00:27:23.300 --> 00:27:28.440 Really today we call it Palm Sunday because it's your palm branch day. 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:37.680 And it's really not just today, it's every day of answering the question, what will your life be surrendered 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:37.780 to? 00:27:39.860 --> 00:27:45.560 And you look at this circumstance and you read this story and you realize the magnitude of all the people that are, I mean this is this kind of moment. 00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:48.960 If you could have been a part of it would have probably caused the hair on your arms to stand up. 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:56.760 How incredible would have been on the song of ascent, going into Jerusalem with all of these crowds and the hustle and bustle to see Jesus come in and people heralding him 00:27:56.760 --> 00:27:57.660 and praising his name. 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.340 And they got it wrong. 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:05.480 They got it wrong to the point that chanted, crucify. 00:28:07.820 --> 00:28:14.780 But guys, let me encourage you this morning because today you can be the day you get it right. 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:22.920 And not only can today be the day that we get it right, in eternity, God gives us a do over. 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:31.300 And I'm going to show you what we mean because in Revelation, John repaints the story. 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:40.520 In Revelation 7:9, listen to what John says about God's people before him in eternity, it says this, John records this. 00:28:40.540 --> 00:28:47.680 He says, after these things, I looked and behold a great multitude, which no one could count from every 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:54.060 nation and all tribes and tongues and people standing before the throne and before the lamb clothed in white robes. 00:28:54.480 --> 00:29:01.640 And listened to this, palm branches were in their hands and they cry out with a loud voice, saying salvation to our God 00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:03.420 who sits on the throne and to the lamb. 00:29:03.780 --> 00:29:10.820 And all of the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worship God saying 00:29:10.820 --> 00:29:11.420 amen. 00:29:11.860 --> 00:29:19.180 Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:20.870 and ever. 00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:21.360 Amen. 00:29:23.800 --> 00:29:25.990 What it's saying to us is this is why Palm Sunday is important. 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:35.060 Because it's not only something that they celebrated in the first century when Jesus walked into Jerusalem, it will be the celebration 00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:37.180 of God's people throughout eternity. 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:45.840 That one day we'll get to do it again and our hearts will be in the right place when we see the Messiah. 00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:54.600 And not only will it be in the right place then, it happens then because your heart can be in the right place now. 00:29:56.980 --> 00:30:02.120 Our hearts need something unchangeable, something reliable. 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:10.740 Something that welcomes us in and nurtures us from the inside out, and gives us reason to celebrate in a 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.380 song of rejoicing. 00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:19.960 And what it's saying to us in this story is that song is Jesus. 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:22.960 And your opportunity to do that is now. 00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:25.980 And that praise continues forever. 00:30:28.300 --> 00:30:29.240 Why does it matter? 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:33.480 What does it mean for God's people? 00:30:34.300 --> 00:30:35.280 It means everything. 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:41.670 It matters for us because this is the salvation song of our heart.