March 28, 2021
Palm Sunday Message
THE ROAD TO VICTORY
Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:41-44
Introduction: Usually there is a celebration AFTER a victory…. When the Covert Bulldogs won 5 state championships in High School basketball there was celebration. When a team wins the World Series, NCAA Championship, the Super Bowl, or the NBA Championship there will often be a parade and celebration when that team returns to their home city.
At this point Jesus is headed into Jerusalem and there is a great celebration. And if you stay tune next week, we will see that He succeeds in victory over death and the grave! He also succeeds in securing redemption for you and me!
Today, we observe Palm Sunday. This is the day commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. “Triumphal” means commemorating and/ or celebrating victory. It was on that day that Jesus presented Himself to Israel as their “promised Messiah and King”. On that day, many worshipped and praised Him. But as usual many others rejected Him. Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem marks the beginning of what we refer to as “Passion Week”. In just a few short days these people who should have welcomed their King…CRUCIFIED HIM! But through it all we find that on that “Resurrection Sunday” Jesus rose from the grave to live forevermore! It is because of the victory that Christ secured that we could possess victory as well. Jesus left the glories of Heaven and came as a babe in Bethlehem. Now, His journey from glory to glory is entering the home stretch…Jesus, hour has come. Join me in this text as Jesus made that Triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and I will preach on the subject “The Road to Victory”.
Let us look at four movements on the “The Road to Victory”.
I.
THE PROPHECY ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY
v. 1-7
You may read these verses and say, "so what...Jesus borrowed a Donkey and rode it into the City". What Jesus did was fulfill a prophecy spoken by the Prophet Zechariah. Notice - Zechariah 9:9 "rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you.
He is just and having salvation; Lowly, and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey - Zechariah spoke these words in 520 BC. Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Zechariah speaks of a day when the Messiah would come, and Jerusalem will be filled with His glory.
A vital element on this "Road to Victory" is the fact that Jesus Christ WAS WHO HE SAID HE WAS! As our Savior presented Himself to the crowd that day, prophecy was fulfilled on the "Road to Victory"... As we move further down this road, we will also see:
II.
THE PEOPLE ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY
v. 1
In this crowd of people, there were many different classes of people present. The multitude had begun to gather since early morning, excitedly looking for Him who had raised Lazarus from the dead. John tells us this. In fact, he says there were so many people that the Pharisees said, “the world is gone after Him” (Jn. 12:17-19).
A. Some Were Followers - v. 1 "He sent two of his disciples, v. 2 Saying, go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him."
There were many followers of Christ present on this day. There were the12 Disciples (who would later be referred to as Apostles) whom Jesus had chosen and ordained.
There was the crowd of disciples already accompanying Him, the pilgrims on their way to the Passover feast, the residents of Bethany and, Bethphage and those who were already in Jerusalem were accompanying Him.
B. Some Were Enemies - Luke 19:39 “And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples."
The enemies of Christ were never far away. They kept close watch on Him throughout His ministry. They constantly attempted to trip Him up in theological debate. The enemies were Pharisees, Sadducees, Chief Priest's Scribes, and Elders. Even today, when Jesus is present, you can rest assured that His enemies won't be far away.
C. Some Were Skeptics - In this multitude, we can assume there were some skeptics. They were not quite enemies of Christ like the Pharisees, but they were just not convinced that He was who He said He was. In this world we live in today the same groups of people still exist.
III.
THE PRAISE ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY
v. 9-10
A. They Praised Him for What He Has Done v.9 "went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:" Hosanna - Christ came to save now.
The people's concept: A national hero ----- Hosanna, save now The Lord's meaning: Spiritual peace.
B. They Praised Him for Who He Was v. 10 "Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” Notice also: John 12:12 "On the next day many people 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." The people had palms branches in their hand. Palm branches symbolize victory and triumph. through Christ's death He would conquer principalities and powers; it was fitting that he should have the victor's laid before Him.
IV.
THE PERCEPTION ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY
Luke 19:41-44
The word "wept" (eklausen) means to burst into tears, weep out loud.
literally heartbroken over Jerusalem. The people rejected the way of
peace, that is, the Messiah Himself.
Everything Christ prophesied in verses 41-44 was fulfilled less than 40 years later.
Matthew 23:38-39 talks about pending judgment on Israel. Jesus knew what was coming because the people rejected Him. He knew what the people will face, and it caused Him to weep. Even knowing of their rejection and the things that they would do to Him soon; Jesus still loved these people! What an AMAZING, LOVING, COMPASSIONATE SAVIOR WE SERVE!!! he had compassion on Jerusalem that day and He have compassion on lost souls today!
