AND SO IT BEGINS: THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

Sermon Notes, March 20, 2016

Rev. Garry McGlinchy

Pastor Garry’s sermon this week was titled “And So It Begins: the Triumphal Entry.” His scripture reference was Luke 19:28-38.  He talked about three major things in this passage: Christ’s strange request, the colt, and those who witnessed this event.

In verses 29-35, we read the directions Jesus gave to two of His disciples.  He knew the colt would be there.  He told them what to say to the owner.  And He knew what the owner would say.  The thing that sticks out to us here is the obedience of the disciples.  They didn’t question Jesus; they simply obeyed.  He sent them on this side mission with his authority to back them up: “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say ‘The Lord needs it.’”  There are times when God gives us some crazy directions. They may require us to do things that make us uncomfortable, but they always come with His authority, and they always have a purpose.  We should be asking “What do you require of me today, Lord?”  And when He tells us, we should say “Yes, sir!”

About the colt: why the donkey and not a horse?  The donkey was a symbol of times of peace.  The horse usually symbolized times of war.  The donkey also fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, given 550 years earlier, that said the king would come, righteous and holy, riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  This solidifies His Messianic royalty and also demonstrates Christ’s humility.  Jesus boldly rode into Jerusalem as the King of Peace and the crowd proudly welcomed and rejoiced in His Kingship.

Verses 36-38 describe the actions of the spectators.  The Passover festival was about to begin.  Jews from all over were in Jerusalem for the occasion.  Many of them had heard of Jesus and the miracles He had performed. The news about Jesus had “gone viral,” and they probably had hopes of seeing Him perform miracles and hearing Him teach at the temple. They were expecting Him to come as a warrior king.  They recognized and acknowledged the fulfilling of the Zechariah prophecy. They threw their garments and palm branches on the ground before him; they were rejoicing in Him!  However, in just a few short days, their rejoicing and proclamation of His Kingship would turn to shouts of disdain and rejection as they cried out, “Crucify! Crucify!”  They would bow to political pressure and ultimately they would reject Him.  We should use this event as a reminder to guard against superficial acclaim for Christ.  Do we rejoice in the true King of Kings only to crucify Him with our words and actions later?  Do we rejoice in Him in the valleys of life as we do on the mountaintops of life?

We need to ask ourselves, are we ready and willing to obey His every command?  Are we following Him in His humility?  Do we have expectations of what we think Christ should do to make our lives better, safer and more enjoyable?  Let’s not allow our personal desires to consume us so that we miss the meaning of true discipleship. 

It’s Holy Week, where we will witness one of the greatest acts of love play out before our eyes!  It’s Holy Week, where suffering, injustice and hate are replaced with grace, mercy and love!  It’s Holy Week, where despair is put to death and Hope is brought to life!  It’s Holy Week!  Hallelujah!  Praise God!  It. Is. Holy Week!  He is coming!  He is coming!  Let us not waste another moment to truly reflect on the life, the death, and the resurrection of our King, Jesus of Nazareth!