2017.04.09                                                    John 12                    

                              Palm Sunday

             The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

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

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 and experience

2. the people who were there… Adulterers......murderers..... Pharisees.......   zealots........

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 News… To teach the Word of God and to heal... In Luke 19... he teaches about the Kingdom... remember... the people wanted the Messiah the King to free them from Roman rule..... But It was not 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

outcast… rejected by God...  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 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.  

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!”

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…

v14,15… Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt…  Zech 9:9… more Prophesy fulfilled… That brings us to our third point in our outline today…

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 prove His claim to the 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… Look with me at Mark 2…v9…

Mark 2: 9-12                     NKJV   

9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

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.

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… 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.

Scroll down and look at the list from these verses…

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….

Many Miracles can be included in the proofs of Jesus Messiahship

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.”

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 dead are raised and The poor have the Gospel preached to them… Jesus said that is also proof that He is the Messiah…These are found in Isaiah 61… Jesus read these words to begin His Earthly ministry in Nazareth when he stood up in the synagogue…

Of course…. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost….

We are still working on part 3 of our outline…

The prophesies that Jesus fulfilled… scroll down for another look at the outline…

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

Here is one more…

As I told you last week… 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… That is the exact day that Daniel prophesied…

Jesus fulfilled many more prophesies… turn to Zechariah….

Zechariah 9:9      NKJV   Schlachter 2000

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.

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… Zechariah 9:9…

Finally… The Messiah is openly proclaimed…. And 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.

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 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… All through the scriptures we see Jesus calling for genuine repentance… He like every prophet that ever lived…. Called on all men everywhere to  believe the Good News of the Gospel… He is at long last allowing Himself to be proclaimed King Messiah… But He appearance causes everyone to make a choice… Look with me at Luke 19:    

Luke 19: 41,42                          NKJV  slt 2000

41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

41 Und als er näher kam und die Stadt sah, weinte er über sie 42 und sprach: Wenn doch auch du erkannt hättest, wenigstens noch an diesem deinem Tag, was zu deinem Frieden dient! Nun aber ist es vor deinen Augen verborgen.

Again as He heads to the cross Jesus weeps… This time he is weeping for all of those who have seen and heard Him… Those who still refuse to repent and turn to Him… He offers them Mercy and forgiveness…. He says choose  Life… The Phrase "THIS YOUR DAY"… Describes this choice… for some it is… A DAY OF DELIVERANCE… Forgiveness and mercy... back to 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.

Those who repent and believe the Good News receive eternal life… and the joy and blessing of serving the LORD Jesus… KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS… As we close our time this morning… Jesus prophesies His death and resurrection again…

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.

Jesus knows that some in this crowd will still refuse to believe…. Because they refuse to repent… Even the miracles were not enough for some because they were hardening their hearts against their only hope… Look at v37...  miracles do not cause believing faith to spring up... As it says in Romans 1...  people sometimes refuse to believe... because they refuse to repent... For some others... The phrase… "THIS YOUR DAY"…

Is a day of JUDGEMENT… Because when we refuse to see with our ears… When we refuse to repent at the proclamation of the Truth of God´s Word… We are denying the truth about our own sin and rebellion… We are condemning ourselves… We stand in the crowd of unrepentant rebels and cry Crucify Him…. Crucify Him…

How about you... which crowd are you in today?

Let´s pray….