Sunday, March 20, 2016

Sermon Notes for Palm Sunday



2016.03.20                      John 12                    
       Jesus Triumphal Entry  
Good Morning! Today we are going to look again at the last week of Jesus´ earthly ministry.... I want to set the scene for us a little... We need to read the accounts from all four of the Gospels to get the full picture...
I want to look at four things...

Jesus last week of Earthly ministry

1. the times and the seasons
2. the People who were there
3. the prophecies that were fulfilled
4. the responses of worship and faith

first

1. the times and seasons

Spring time... Warmer weather... flowers... love... daughters of Jerusalem... receiving guests... news from exotic places far away... The streets filled with joy and news things to look at and experience…

2. the people who were there

Friends and family… Adulterers... murderers... Pharisees...  zealots... The sick and lame…. everyone who came to JESUS was healed.... They were and this is the most important..... they were forgiven....... because they were...  forgiven... they followed Jesus rejoicing... These genuine believers were filled with joy because of the Grace of God that flowed into their broken lives...
As they travelled to Jerusalem… They were singing the Psalms of ascent… Ps113- 118
Blessed is he that comes in the name of the LORD... Hosanna… Hosanna…
Lazarus and  Mary and Martha were there… All of Jerusalem had heard about the death of Lazarus...

JESUS had raised Lazarus from the dead... from the dead... only God can do that...

Mary Magdalene was in the crowd... She was once possessed by demons...

Simon the Leper was there...

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to allow himself to be declared Messiah and King...

Jesus is going to his death...

And on the way to Jerusalem... JESUS continues to   teach and proclaim the Good NewsTo teach the Word of God and to heal...

I want to ask a question this morning… I want us to think about it in the context of the increasing intensity of Jesus ministry in these last few days of his earthly ministry…..
If you know that you only have a little time left……. If you see that many are not listening…… If you want them to repent and believe…….. How do you get their attention? I mean you love them …. You are willing to lay down your life for them…… You are going to die for them…… How do you shake them into reality…
This is exactly the problem that Jesus is facing…Time is short… most of the leaders and the people have not repented and believed… Soon they will scream out for His death… and for most of them there will only remain the certainty of judgment…

In Luke 19... Jesus teaches about the Kingdom... remember… the people wanted the Messiah the King to free them from Roman rule... But it was not yet time for his earthly Eternal Kingdom... let´s look at Luke 19: 11...

Luke 19:11             NLT  Neues Leben

11 The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away.

11 Die Menge hörte Jesus zu. Und er erzählte ihnen ein Gleichnis; denn da er nahe bei Jerusalem war, glaubten sie, dass das Reich Gottes nun anbrechen würde.

Jesus continued to teach at every opportunity...

And as I said Jesus continued to heal everyone who came to him… the blind and lepers... they were under the wrath of God...  at least that´s what the religious leaders thought... When they repented and cried out for mercy… The Lord Jesus healed and delivered them… Jesus forgave the most undeserving members of society... prostitutes... tax collectors...

Why did he waste his time with them?... The Pharisees didn´t understand… These were hopeless sinners… They didn´t deserve God´s love and mercy… The truth is… Neither do we…
Why does he waste his time with us?...

Why has God himself decided to forgive and heal... to show mercy and grace...to the very people who don´t deserve Mercy... they... we… are the ones who receive it... Why...? let´s back up one verse... Luke 19: 10....

Luke19: 10                 NLT  Neues Leben
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

10 Der Menschensohn ist gekommen, um Verlorene zu suchen und zu retten.

Jesus is on the way to the Cross....and as he goes... he blesses and heals and forgives... he heals a blind man... blind Bartimeus... Mark 10

The religious leaders considered him an outcast... They said that he had been rejected by God....Jesus healed Him in an instant… He received mercy even though he didn´t deserve it... then...

He blesses and forgives a notorious sinner... someone like me... Zacchaeus… He was the Chief of the publicans… the hated tax collectors... they were traitors... allies of Rome... oppressing their own people because of their greed... you know the story... Zacchaeus... right here in the first part of this chapter...
Luke 19...

Zacchaeus... hated by the people... despised... He wants to see Jesus… Despite his enormous wealth… he knows there is more to life… He wants to see this Messiah… he climbs a tree… and Jesus tells him… Zacchaeus come down… I´m going to your house today… He will never be the same after he meets Jesus...
Look at Luke 19: 8….

Luke 19: 8     NKJV    Schlachter 2000

8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

8 Zachäus aber trat hin und sprach zu dem Herrn: Siehe, Herr, die Hälfte meiner Güter gebe ich den Armen, und wenn ich jemand betrogen habe, so gebe ich es vierfältig zurück!
We see him totally transformed… giving away  half of his money and restoring 4 times what he has stolen…
Forgiven and filled with thankfulness and joy... that´s the proper response to mercy and grace... Jesus is on the way to the Cross... and as he goes... he blesses and heals and forgives... Lives are transformed…
Let´s reread portions of the story of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem... John 12…v1…

John 12: 1,2                   NKJV slt 2000
1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.  

1 Sechs Tage vor dem Passafest kam Jesus nach Betanien, wo Lazarus war, den Jesus auferweckt hatte von den Toten.
2 Dort machten sie ihm ein Mahl und Marta diente ihm; Lazarus aber war einer von denen, die mit ihm zu Tisch saßen.
Looking  down a few verses and starting again at v9…

John 12:9-19                       NKJV
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!”
14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
17 Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness.
18 For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”

John 12:  9-19                  slt 2000

9 Da erfuhr eine große Menge der Juden, dass er dort war, und sie kamen nicht allein um Jesu willen, sondern um auch Lazarus zu sehen, den er von den Toten erweckt hatte.
10 Aber die Hohenpriester beschlossen, auch Lazarus zu töten;
11 denn um seinetwillen gingen viele Juden hin und glaubten an Jesus.
12 Als am nächsten Tag die große Menge, die aufs Fest gekommen war, hörte, dass Jesus nach Jerusalem käme,
13 nahmen sie Palmzweige und gingen hinaus ihm entgegen und riefen: Hosianna! Gelobt sei, der da kommt in dem Namen des Herrn, der König von Israel!
14 Jesus aber fand einen jungen Esel und ritt darauf, wie geschrieben steht:
15 »Fürchte dich nicht, du Tochter Zion! Siehe, dein König kommt und reitet auf einem Eselsfüllen.«
16 Das verstanden seine Jünger zuerst nicht; doch als Jesus verherrlicht war, da dachten sie daran, dass dies von ihm geschrieben stand und man so mit ihm getan hatte.
17 Das Volk aber, das bei ihm war, als er Lazarus aus dem Grabe rief und von den Toten auferweckte, rühmte die Tat.
18 Darum ging ihm auch die Menge entgegen, weil sie hörte, er habe dieses Zeichen getan.
19 Die Pharisäer aber sprachen untereinander: Ihr seht, dass ihr nichts ausrichtet; siehe, alle Welt läuft ihm nach.

Huge crowds were gathered to Welcome the Messiah the King on this exact day…This text also brings us to the third point in our outline today…
3. the Prophecies that were fulfilled... v12-15…

v12,13… a great multitude…  palm branches and went out to meet Him…. Matthew records that the whole city was moved… They flood out of the city and welcome Jesus as the long awaited Messiah… The crowd is fulfilling prophesy here… look at v14,15…

v14,15… Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt… That is Zech 9:9… more Prophesy fulfilled… Continuing with point 3…

3. the Prophecies that were fulfilled...
The Rabbis taught that the Messiah would work miracles like Moses… There were many Prophesies fulfilled in this Passion week… 28 on the day that He was crucified alone… All the miracles Jesus did pointed to Him as Israel's Messiah
Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead because of His unfailing love and compassion… His purpose was also to produce the credentials of His kingdom… Jesus´ many miracles showed that He had all authority and power on earth… but He never let the miracles become the focus of His ministry… Jesus came to seek and to save the lost…
Jesus came to save lost and dying people… That was and is His first priority… But Jesus also performed many incredible miracles… I´m not talking about the stuff that you see on TV… He did Miracles that had never been done by any prophet… Before or since…   
Jesus healed everyone who came to Him… Luke 6…v19…
Luke 6:19                               NKJV   slt 2000
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
19 Und die ganze Volksmenge suchte ihn anzurühren, denn Kraft ging von ihm aus und heilte alle.  
The crowds followed Him for the signs and wonders… but when push came to shove… everyone abandoned Him…
You know… Jesus never allowed signs and wonders to be amplified above his message… He came to seek and to save the lost…
The Rabbis listed specific miracles that only the Messiah could do as signs of Messiahship… Some of them are found in Isaiah…

Let´s look at Some Miracles that prove that Jesus is the Messiah!
Miracles that prove that Jesus is the Messiah!

Isaiah 35
1 v5a…  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened…
2 v5b… And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped….
3 v6a… Then the lame shall leap like a deer…
4 v6b… And the tongue of the dumb sing….
Matthew 11
5 v5… the lepers are cleansed…
6 v5… The dead are raised…
7 v5… The poor have the Gospel preached to them… Isaiah 61…

Turn with me to Isaiah 35…v4…

Isaiah 35: 4- 8                    NKJV  slt 2000

4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
“Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.
7 The parched ground shall become a pool,
And the thirsty land springs of water;
In the habitation of jackals, where each lay,
There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray.

Isaiah 35: 4- 8                    NKJV  slt 2000
4 Sagt den verzagten Herzen: »Seid getrost, fürchtet euch nicht! Seht, da ist euer Gott! Er kommt zur Rache; Gott, der da vergilt, kommt und wird euch helfen.«
5 Dann werden die Augen der Blinden aufgetan und die Ohren der Tauben geöffnet werden.
6 Dann werden die Lahmen springen wie ein Hirsch, und die Zunge der Stummen wird frohlocken. Denn es werden Wasser in der Wüste hervorbrechen und Ströme im dürren Lande.
7 Und wo es zuvor trocken gewesen ist, sollen Teiche stehen, und wo es dürre gewesen ist, sollen Brunnquellen sein. Wo zuvor die Schakale gelegen haben, soll Gras und Rohr und Schilf stehen.
8 Und es wird dort eine Bahn sein, die der heilige Weg heißen wird. Kein Unreiner darf ihn betreten; nur sie werden auf ihm gehen; auch die Toren dürfen nicht darauf umherirren.

1 v5a…  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened…
2 v5b… And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped….
3 v6a… Then the lame shall leap like a deer…
4 v6b… And the tongue of the dumb sing….

How many miracles were included in the proofs of Jesus Messiahship? Some say 5… others say 7…. They include the healing of the crippled… Matt15… The healing of lepers…. Etc…
But there was 1 very important one….  
The Resurrection of Lazarus……
Jesus Himself said that raising someone from the dead was proof that He is the Messiah…. Turn with me to Matthew 11…v4….

Matthew 11: 4-6                    NKJV   slt 2000
4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

4 Und Jesus antwortete und sprach zu ihnen: Geht hin und berichtet dem Johannes, was ihr hört und seht:
5 Blinde werden sehend und Lahme gehen, Aussätzige werden rein und Taube hören, Tote werden auferweckt, und Armen wird das Evangelium verkündigt.
6 Und glückselig ist, wer nicht Anstoß nimmt an mir!

Here in this text we see more proofs….
Matthew 11
5 v5… the lepers are cleansed
6 v5… The dead are raised
7 v5… The poor have the Gospel preached to them…

The poor have the Gospel preached to them…. Jesus said that is also proof that He is the Messiah….

Of course the Good news of the Gospel is why He came… Jesus came to seek and to save the lost….
We are on part 3 of our outline… prophesies that Jesus fulfilled… There are   more…
#1 Jesus presents himself as King on the very day prophesied by Daniel…  one of the most amazing prophesies ever... There is a book about this…

THE COMING PRINCE
BY
SIR ROBERT ANDERSON
1841-1918     It´s available for free online
  

SIR ROBERT ANDERSON was a lawyer and an Expert on terrorism He wrote a book on these prophesies….. Daniel´s prophesies tell us the exact day of the coming prince…. The Messiah   presented Himself as the Lamb of God on The 10th of Nissan…….
Jesus fulfilled many more prophesies….. turn to Zechariah….

Zechariah 9:9      NKJV   Schlachter 2000
​​“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.

9 Frohlocke sehr, du Tochter Zion; jauchze, du Tochter Jerusalem! Siehe, dein König kommt zu dir; ein Gerechter und ein Retter4 ist er, demütig und reitend auf einem Esel, und zwar auf einem Füllen, einem Jungen der Eselin. 

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey..... on a colt.... Just as the scriptures said…
Finally…. The Messiah is openly proclaimed…… Jesus is Receiving the Worship He deserves.... Although many have believed because of Lazarus…. Many others are just pretending…. They are just fans of Jesus…. They have not really repented of their sins…
that´s the fourth thing we see this morning……

4. the proper responses of worship and faith....

Songs of ascent… Psalms 113- 118… Called the Egyptian Hallel… The great Hallelujah! These were sung at the great feasts… they were sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem for the feasts…

Psalm 118: 24- 28      NKJV

24 ​​This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 ​​Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
26 ​​Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
​​We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
27 ​​God is the LORD, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
28 ​​You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You.
29 ​​Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
​​For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 118: 24- 28      Schlachter 2000

24 Dies ist der Tag, den der Herr gemacht hat; wir wollen uns freuen und fröhlich sein in ihm!
25 Ach, Herr, hilf! Ach, Herr, laß wohl gelingen!
26 Gepriesen sei der, welcher kommt im Namen des Herrn! Wir segnen euch vom Haus des Herrn aus.
27 Der Herr ist Gott, er hat uns Licht gegeben. Bindet das Festopfer mit Stricken an die Hörner des Altars!
28 Du bist mein Gott, ich will dich preisen! Mein Gott, ich will dich erheben!
29 Dankt dem Herrn, denn er ist gütig, ja, seine Gnade währt ewiglich!

the songs... the adoration... the answer of a believing heart... a heart that repents and  trusts in the Messiah... They are the ones who find mercy and grace...

Many discover that the peace and freedom and forgiveness... they so desperately want and need... is here… in their Savior... Jesus the lamb of God…

Others refused to repent and believe the Gospel… In a few days they would join another crowd……. A crowd crying…… Crucify Him……. Crucify Him…….

​​The phrase"THIS THY DAY"… Comes from Luke 19… v42… The phrase points to the Messianic prophesy in Daniel… The wonderful day when the Messiah appears to offer salvation to all people… for some it is… A DAY OF DELIVERANCE…. Forgiveness and mercy... For others... It´s a day of JUDGEMENT… Because when we do not repent and believe the Good News of the Gospel… we condemn ourselves… As we saw last week Jesus prophesies his death and resurrection many times… Let´s look at one of them in John 12… v23…

John 12: 23- 26           NKJV

23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.


John12: 23- 26    Schlachter 2000

23 Jesus aber antwortete ihnen und sprach: Die Stunde ist gekommen, daß der Sohn des Menschen verherrlicht werde!
24 Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch: Wenn das Weizenkorn nicht in die Erde fällt und stirbt, so bleibt es allein; wenn es aber stirbt, so bringt es viel Frucht.
25 Wer sein Leben liebt, der wird es verlieren; wer aber sein Leben in dieser Welt haßt, wird es zum ewigen Leben bewahren.
26 Wenn jemand mir dienen will, so folge er mir nach; und wo ich bin, da soll auch mein Diener sein; und wenn jemand mir dient, so wird ihn [mein] Vater ehren.

Those who repent and believe the Good News receive eternal life….. and the honor of serving the LORD Jesus…. KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS… Here again beginning in v32… Jesus prophesies of His death on the cross for our sins… They are struggling with the idea of a crucified Messiah… Let´s read them…

John 12: 32- 41           NKJV

32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” 
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes,
​​Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.”
41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

John12: 32- 41    Schlachter 2000

32 und ich, wenn ich von der Erde erhöht bin, werde alle zu mir ziehen.
33 Das sagte er aber, um anzudeuten, durch welchen Tod er sterben würde.
34 Die Menge antwortete ihm: Wir haben aus dem Gesetz gehört, daß der Christus in Ewigkeit bleibt; wie sagst du denn, der Sohn des Menschen müsse erhöht werden? Wer ist dieser Sohn des Menschen?
35 Da sprach Jesus zu ihnen: Noch eine kleine Zeit ist das Licht bei euch. Wandelt, solange ihr das Licht noch habt, damit euch die Finsternis nicht überfällt! Denn wer in der Finsternis wandelt, weiß nicht, wohin er geht.
36 Solange ihr das Licht habt, glaubt an das Licht, damit ihr Kinder des Lichtes werdet! Dies redete Jesus und ging hinweg und verbarg sich vor ihnen.

37 Obwohl er aber so viele Zeichen vor ihnen getan hatte, glaubten sie nicht an ihn;
38 damit das Wort des Propheten Jesaja erfüllt würde, das er gesprochen hat: »Herr, wer hat unserer Verkündigung geglaubt, und wem ist der Arm des Herrn geoffenbart worden?
39 Darum konnten sie nicht glauben, denn Jesaja hat wiederum gesprochen:
40 »Er hat ihre Augen verblendet und ihr Herz verhärtet, damit sie nicht mit den Augen sehen, noch mit dem Herzen verstehen und sich bekehren und ich sie heile«.
41 Dies sprach Jesaja, als er seine Herrlichkeit sah und von ihm redete.

Look at verse 34… Son of Man…. This is the Messiah from Daniel´s prophesies…
Look at v35… Walk in the light… Earlier in Jesus ministry Jesus said I am the light of the World… I am here walk in my light…. Believe what I say… Something else…
Look at v37... Miracles are not enough… Miracles do not cause believing faith to spring up... It is the Word of God that the Holy Spirit uses to transform hearts and lives…. The hearing of the Words of Life…. The unbelief of many is also prophesied… As it says in Romans 1… When people refuse to believe.... It is because they refuse to repent...
Closing
Remember the phrase about this triumphal Entry… THIS THY DAY… The phrase comes from Luke 19… v42… It points to the Messianic prophesy in Daniel… The wonderful day when the Messiah appears to offer salvation to all people… for some it is… A DAY OF DELIVERANCE…. Forgiveness and mercy...
For others.... It´s a day of JUDGEMENT… This crowd will cry out for Jesus crucifixion… When we do not believe we condemn ourselves…
How about you... which crowd are you in today?
Let´s pray…

Announcement
This Thursday night… Grün Donnerstag we will look at the ancient Egyptian Passover and celebrate Communion like Jesus did with His disciples on their last night together…
The Lord´s Supper has a past reference to The Passover and of course….. Jesus´ sacrificial death on the cross….
It has a present reference to the fact that we belong to one another here in the Body of Christ… It also has a future reference…. Because it points us to our future Gathering together at the end of time… He will return for us….. We will be with the Lord forever…..  We will celebrate with Him forever…
 As I said on Thursday night we will celebrate the Passover Seder….. You will enjoy this evening…. We will look at Jesus` use of the Passover celebration to begin an everlasting memorial of His sacrificial death….

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