Pastor Gideon Lee
Today is Palm Sunday. Let us see what the Bible says about Palm Sunday in Matthew 21:1-11.
Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV)
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]
“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Let me read again verse 9-11.
This Sunday is called Palm Sunday because the people cut palm branches and spread them on the road as Jesus entered Jerusalem. They also laid their cloaks on the ground for Him to tread on.
Jesus had all this attention because He was an overnight sensation, a superstar of His day. He was so popular that He had to withdraw himself from the crowds in order to get some rest. The people adored Him and His triumphant entry into Jerusalem marked the pinnacle of His Ministry.
I remember as a school-boy lining the roads when the sultan or the king visited our city. Imagine going so far as to take off your shirt to lay them on the ground. Jesus was given a hero's welcome and yet, within the same week He became public enemy No. 1. The same crowd who adored Him shouted, "Crucify Him!"
Why? Why do you think the cheering stoppered? What caused the change? There are three possible reasons.
First, Jesus began to talk more and more about commitment.
In Chapter 20, which is the chapter before this, Jesus spoke about the parable of the vineyard. And the chapter before that recorded His encounter with the rich young ruler.
In the Jewish mindset, God only blessed the rich and Jesus seemed to be rejecting the rich. The Jews found that theologically unacceptable. God is not against the rich but how many churches, or how many pastors, would dare to say "Sell everything, give to the poor and follow me"? Jesus Christ was actually asking for commitment. In the last few weeks of His life Jesus began to talk about commitment and this is a word that we don't like to hear.
After the triumphant entry there were no more public miracles because Jesus was preparing to go to the cross. The cheering stopped because Jesus began to speak more on commitment and less on blessing. Nowadays there is a consumerism attitude prevalent in most churches. We shop at TESCO but we will not hesitate to shop at Giant if things are cheaper there. There is no loyalty and commitment.
We forget that coming to church is all about God and not about us. We pick and choose when we attend church depending on whether it is a good speaker or not. We only respond to the altar call when it is a special speaker or an overseas speaker. We fail to realise that it is God we respond to and as we respond to God, He comes into our situation and blesses us.
Do you know it is very easy to build a church based on blessings and not on loyalty, commitment and obligations? Once we have decided to make a certain church our home chucrh, our attitude should be for better or for worse.
Look onto the Bible. After the triumphant entry Matthew recorded the lesson of the fig tree. Jesus cursed the fig tree because it did not do what it was supposed to do, that is, bear fruit. Likewise we must be committed to bear fruit. Next Matthew recorded Jesus' comment on giving to Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which is God's. This is teaching on paying taxes, and I hope all of you are paying your taxes, but it also a lesson on commitment to God. Jesus wanted to leave behind a legacy and that requires a commitment from those He is leaving behind. May we all be committed to serve and to go the extra mile and not just attend church on Sunday.
Second, Jesus dared to suggest that salvation is open to all people. The Jews believed that salvation only belonged to them.
Immediately after the triumphant entry Jesus went to the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling there. The outer court of the temple was known as the court of the Gentiles. If these merchants were occupying the place then there is no space for the Gentiles. Subsequently the blind and the lame and the children were able to enter the temple. Access into the kingdom is available to everyone. But the Chief Priests and scribes were indignant. Our church too is open to everyone who comes, even those who talk loudly, who smell. It is our duty to welcome them to the Big Party. We have no right to stop them from coming to the Lord.
The Jewish concept of the Messiah was someone who could liberate them from the rule of the Romans.
Third, Jesus began to talk more about His suffering and death on the cross. He is leaving them and He requires commitment because there is suffering in store for them.
We too have to take up our cross daily. Carrying our cross is part of our Christian life. It is very easy to build a church without God but it won't last. I thank God for all of you who understand commitment. On the other hand, the people didn't want to hear about the cross nor do they want to be a part of that kingdom.
Let me share with you a story from the Seattle Special Olympics.
Nine contestants – all physically or mentally disabled – assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back – every one of them. One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.”
Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.
The Kingdom of God is like that. It is not about who finishes first but all of us helping one another across the finishing line.
Is there an area where God is asking you for a commitment? Is there someone God wants you to share the message of the gospel with?
There is a cross each of us has to carry. Even if I want to I cannot carry your cross for you. Are you carrying the cross and paying the price to follow Jesus?
As we approach the Passion Week, may we remember that following Jesus requires that of us.
Many thanks to my wife, Melinda Song for her written notes. And she kindly retyped them for this post. Blessed to be a blessing.
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