Palm Sunday, 2018
John 12:12-19
"Ride on...to die"
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Ride on, ride on, in majesty! Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry. O Savior meek, pursue Thy road, With palms and scattered garments strowed." Today is the day we celebrate our Lord's triumphal entry into Jerusalem as king. The crowds that had seen and heard Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead came to praise and coronate Jesus.
"The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13)
What a glorious day! It might not be as extravagant as one of the British Royals being crowned...or as grand as the President visiting a city...but this was still a big event. Just look at how our Lord enters the city. He enters riding...a donkey. Wait. That doesn't sound all that impressive.
Instead of having security forces, police and military escorts or protection Jesus had 12 Disciples…two of them being sent to get the transportation… a colt the foal of a donkey. While there was a large crowd that came out for the coronation...it certainly wasn't the whole city. The Romans didn't pay this ruckus any attention. Even the religious leaders ignored the event...except to ridicule Jesus and His disciples. They would complain to each other as they watched the event "You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him." (John 12:19) And with that hurried their plans to kill Jesus. Not much of a coronation after all... not much of a triumphal entry.
This should have been an exciting...grand...glorious event...but even Jesus' mood seems to be downcast. As Luke records: "As [Jesus] approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (Luke 19:41-44)
In the midst of being praised...even as "the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness" (John 12:17) Jesus wept for the people. As Scripture records: "the reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign." (John 12:18) The people came out to praise Jesus because of the miracles he performed...not because they had faith that Jesus was the Messiah.
There in the very midst of God's chosen people was their promised Savior. Yet they did not know him; they did not believe He was the Christ. The Disciples were also confused and did not understand what was taking place. Even the religious leaders got it all wrong. All of them should have realized what was taking place. The prophet Zechariah foretold: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)
Instead of believing that Jesus was the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the World...the crowds, disciples, and religious leaders either rejected Jesus or didn't understand. So yes, Jesus wept over His people. Jesus would bring them peace for eternity but they rejected. Jesus knew what would happen to them…Jerusalem would be destroyed; the people killed; and unbelief reigning over them. Today cities are still destroyed, people are dying, and unbelief reigns. Jesus still weeps over His creation that continues to reject. Christ had come for us all…and we as sinners ended up yelling “Crucify Him!” instead of praises fit for our King. Did you hear that? We yelled “Crucify Him!” We yell it by our sinful thoughts, words, and deeds. We yell it by neglecting our calling as Christians…to proclaim the truth about Jesus…We yell it by neglecting the Sabbath day and not keeping it holy… by these and all our sins we continue to yell “Crucify Him!” Every one of us is guilty for Jesus death.
Today, Palm Sunday, marks the sad and mournful beginning of Holy Week as it leads to the crucifixion of our Lord. By our sin we have rejected Jesus and shouted Crucify him like all the rest. Yet today also marks our Lord's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. By faith we shout "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (John 12:13) We rejoice greatly even at this time of mourning because we know what Jesus came to do and what He brings.
"Ride on, ride on, in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin O'er captive death and conquered sin." Today is a coronation. Today is a joyful day. Because Jesus came to die for our sins and conquer sin, death, and hell. Jesus brings with Him peace and salvation! Through His death we are redeemed; we are forgiven. Through Jesus our shouts of crucify him are forgiven and forgotten.
“Ride on, ride on in majesty.” Our King has come and ridden to death. Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Jesus has taken your sins to the cross. He has died for them. You are innocent in His sight. Do not mourn as the world mourns…for we know that even as Jesus died for our sins…He has risen. Let us joyfully look forward with repentant and thankful hearts to the victory of the resurrection and the empty tomb! Come this day to the Lord's table...and join in the feast of victory for our God. Receive your pardon and your peace in Him. Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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