John 12:13
Palm Sunday represents the triumphant entry of Jesus.
Life is that way.
"Hosanna!"
The palm branches were a symbol of victory.
1. The crowd .
"What is in this for me?"
John 12:13 “…Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel.”
John 19:15 "But they shouted, ‘Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!"
Human nature likes to be self-centered.
2. Religious leaders.
How did they miss that?
"I'm in control…not Jesus."
John 12:19 "The Pharisees said to each other, ‘We've lost. Look – the whole world has gone after Him.'"
They missed what was right before their eyes because they had an unteachable heart.
3. The disciples.
Now they felt like Jesus was holding them back.
"Go tell the priest, but then say nothing to anyone else."
"Not yet."
Matthew 16:21-22 (NLT) "From then on Jesus began to tell His disciples plainly that He needed to go to Jerusalem, and that He would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day, He would be raised from the dead. But Peter took Him aside and began to reprimand Him for saying such things. ‘Heaven forbid, Lord,' he said. ‘This will never happen to You!'"
We don't want to have to go through the character-building process.
- Jesus creates a beautiful disruption.
Matthew 4:19 "Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!' And they left their nets at once and followed Him."
He gives you a brand-new opportunity and perspective.
Some are called the RUT because it's the Same Old Routine.
- Jesus brings a new perspective.
Our perspective should develop as our relationship with Jesus deepens.
John 12:16 (NLT) "His disciples didn't understand at the time that this was fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into His glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about Him."
My perspective must be framed with faith, not with feelings.
- Jesus offers a Hosanna moment.
"Hosanna!" – God save us.
Matthew 26:38 (NLT) "He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me."
He knew we couldn't carry it, so He did.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT) "Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'"
Jesus was willing to surrender Himself to the will of the Father.
I hope we give Him everything.
He cannot do it unless you give it to Him!