Jesus is Coming to Town

Palm Sunday 2011
Message by Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church Shepherdstown, WV


Bible Reference 1
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Luke 19:28-30 (NIV84)
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After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.


Insight
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This wasn’t a coincidence that Jesus became tired or lazy at the exact moment he was going to be entering Jerusalem so he rode on a donkey colt. The king was coming into town and preparations were being made.


Bible Reference 2
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Zechariah 9:9 (NIV84)
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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.


Insight
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It was a sign of a king coming in triumph after a victory.


Biblical Research
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Alfred Edersheim, a Christian Jew himself, studied ancient Rabbinical writings, and said that Zechariah 9:9 was often interpreted as being about a Messiah. He wrote that so firm was the belief in this prophesy, that, according to the Talmud, 'if anyone saw a donkey in his dreams, he will see salvation'."


Note 1
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when Jesus decided to ride a donkey colt into Jerusalem, he knew exactly what he was doing and what it said about who he was: King of Salvation.


Bible Reference 3
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Luke 19:31-35 (NIV84)
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If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.


Note 2
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God asks us to take risks in his Kingdom work and may include anything we own.


Question 1
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What are the things God needs for us to be willing to ask of others?


Question 2
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What are the things we should be willing to give or loan to help Jesus be seen as our king to the world around us?


Bible Reference 4
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Luke 19:36 (NIV84)
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As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.


Bible Reference 5
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Mark 11:8 (NIV84)
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Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.


Bible Reference 6
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Luke 19:37-40 (NIV84)
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When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”


Note 3
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As the King of Salvation goes with us into the towns, work places and homes we live, are we excited for what he can bring?


This is why we celebrate Palm Sunday.
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• Jesus knew what he was doing riding the donkey in as king.
• He knew what he was doing teaching the things he taught about His Heavenly Father and the Kingdom of God.
• He knew what he was doing when he predicted his death and didn’t back out when the trial, torture and the cross became reality. And he knew what he was doing when he rose again 3 days later from the dead.