SPECIAL DAYS: Palm/Passion Sunday

March 28, 1999 - LESSON: Matthew 21:1-11, NRSV

SERMON TITLE: Point of View

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INTRODUCTION:

  1. A man comes riding into Jerusalem on a young ass, a colt.
    1. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
    2. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
      1. "Hosanna to the Son of David!
      2. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
      3. Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
    3. When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?"
  2. Can you imagine if Jesus had been treated like a 20th-century celebrity as he rode into Jerusalem? (1)
    1. Wolf Blitzer might have reported on rumors that Jesus planned to disrupt temple business.
    2. Pundits would have argued about who he "really" was.
    3. Gail Sheehy would undoubtedly have written a psychological profile for Vanity Fair.
    4. Some tabloid would investigate Jesus' relationship with "the woman at the well."
    5. There would be in-depth analysis by cult specialists and modern-day Pharisees on MSNBC.
    6. A council of church officials would be in place to study the authenticity of Jesus' feeding the multitudes and walking on water.
    7. As he entered the dusty city, hundreds if not thousands would have snapped their throwaway Kodaks, and pointed their videocams while Katie Couric, along with Willard Scott, making a special appearance, would stand by to offer color commentary.

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  3. We still have the question.
    1. Who is this.
    2. The answer that was given is:

"This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."

Main Body:

  1. After all this would we know any more than we knew in the beginning.
    1. The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."
    2. Is this all he is?
      1. No! No! He is much more than a prophet from Nazareth.
      2. He is the Messiah
      3. He is the Savior
      4. He is the Sacrifice
      5. He is the Redeemer
      6. He is a king.
  2. There is another word picture that makes this very plain.
    1. It is also a picture that ought to inspire us to sit up and take notice.
    2. It is not picture of the "gentle" Christ riding into Jerusalem to offer himself as the sacrifice for sin and sinners.
    3. It is a picture of a great and righteous warrior in the final stages of the great war between good and evil.
  3. What is portrayed is found in Revelation 19.
    1. 6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
      1. He is in control.
      2. He is now the ultimate, gracious, merciful, true and just ruler of all.
      3. The kingdoms of this world have now become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.

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    2. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready;
      1. The "bride," the "Lamb's wife," is that great city the New Jerusalem.
      2. The New Jerusalem which is from above.
        1. It is the place which Christ has gone to prepare.
        2. It is the city which is described in Revelation 21 and 22, which descends from God out of heaven.
    3. 8 to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure"--for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
      1. The her is not the city but the people who reside in the city.
      2. Their sins have been taken away.
      3. Their lives have been cleanses of all contamination.
      4. They are pure and spotless.
    4. 9 And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are true words of God."
      1. The invitation has been sent out by Christ.
        1. It is described in the parable of the ten maidens.
        2. It is emphasized in the parable of the wedding feast.
    5. Then we are provided a vision, a description of the one who is coming.
      1. 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

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        1. White horse.

Holiness of character

        1. Faithful and true

Fulfiller of promises, John 14:1-3

        1. Judges
          1. Determine who and who will not enter the kingdom.
          2. Measures lives according to heavenly standard
          3. Standard is love.
          4. Makes war
            1. He is the only one who can rescue those who are evaluated as being in full covenant relationship.
      1. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself.
        1. Eyes
          1. Nothing escapes his attention.
        2. Diadems
          1. Not only the crowns representing the kingdoms of this world.
          2. The crown which symbolizes his own history over sin and the enemy.
        3. Name
          1. (Romans 12:19 NRSV) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

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      2. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God.
        1. Robe dipped in blood
          1. (Isaiah 63:1-3 NRSV) "Who is this that comes from Edom, from Bozrah in garments stained crimson? Who is this so splendidly robed, marching in his great might?" "It is I, announcing vindication, mighty to save." [2] "Why are your robes red, and your garments like theirs who tread the wine press?" [3] "I have trodden the wine press alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their juice spattered on my garments, and stained all my robes.
        2. The Word of God
          1. John 1:1-3: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word is God.
      3. 14 And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
        1. Armies of heaven
          1. All the heavenly hosts
      4. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
        1. Sharp sword
          1. (Hebrews 4:12-13 NRSV) Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [13] And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.

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        2. Rod of iron
          1. Shepherd's Staff
          2. Crook for guiding the sheep.
          3. Iron ferrule used to protect and to fight for the sheep against the enemy which seeks to harm or destroy.
        3. Fury of the wrath of God
          1. Wrath of God is God's willingness to allow people to experience the results, the consequences, of their own choices.
      5. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, "King of kings and Lord of lords."
        1. King of Kings
        2. Lord of Lords.
        3. Pilate's question is now answered.
          1. Are you the King of the Jews.
          2. It is as you say.
      6. This is the one who came and is to come.

CONCLUSION:

  1. Who is this?
    1. Much, much more than a prophet from Nazareth.
    2. He is the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.
    3. He is King of Lings and Lord of Lord riding on a white horse to ultimate victory.
    4. Palm Sunday is but a rehearsal for the grand procession which is to come.
    5. Revelation reveals the end.
  2. Wave your Palm Branches
    1. Shout aloud Hosanna!
    2. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    3. The victory is his and through him it is ours.

      1. From, The Celebrity Christ, Homiletics Magazine, March-April 1999.

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