The Humble and Miraculous Message of Palm Sunday: March 25, 2018

Sermon Notes

TITLE: The Humble and Miraculous Message of Palm Sunday

TEXT:  John 12:12-16 (Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King)

¹² The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. ¹³ They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

¹⁵ “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”

¹⁶ At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

INTRO: How Does King Jesus Enter Our Life?

I. He Enters with Humility (we often miss it.)

II. He Enters in Surprise

III. He Enters to Challenge (This Palm Sunday)

Conclusion:

QUOTES FROM PEOPLE WHO REFLECT

(Spend time this week reflecting on a few of these. There is deep theological and Christian truth in these few sentences.)

“Jesus found a donkey and sat upon it, as Scripture says: Do not fear, city of Zion! See, your king is coming, sitting on the colt of a donkey!” – Saint John (John 12:14)   Why should I not fear…?

“When Christ entered into Jerusalem the people spread garments in the way: when He enters into our hearts, we pull off our own righteousness, and not only lay it under Christ’s feet but even trample upon it ourselves.” – Augustus Toplady   What have I pulled off in order to follow Christ better?

“No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.” – William Penn Am I avoiding taking on my cross?  See http://cccdc.com//billygraham.org/answer/what-did-jesus-mean-when-he-said-we-have-to-carry-a-cross/

“But Palm Sunday tells us that … it is the cross that is the true tree of life.” – Pope Benedict XVI   Is this really true? Why?

“Palm Sunday is like a glimpse of Easter. It’s a little bit joyful after being sombre during Lent.” – Laura Gale   How is it like a glimpse?

“Lord, we lift up your name. With hearts full of praise; Be exalted, O Lord my God! Hosanna in the highest!” – Carl Tuttle   Do it!

“Jesus Christ is a God whom we approach without pride, and before whom we humble ourselves without despair.” – Blaise Pascal   Indeed….