Matthew 21:1-11 The Triumphal Entry

This passage is about being at the right time at the right place and missing God. The traditional title of the passage as the triumphal entry is a misnomer for three reasons:

1.     Jesus has not triumphed yet

2.     Jesus' followers and friends were sick, poor, and rejected - hardly a victory in the eyes of Rome.

3.     Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19) - and it was not tears of joy….

The Scripture tells us that as Jesus approached the city - he wept over it (Luke 19:41)

Why was Jesus crying? Because Jerusalem was not able to recognize God in their midst. They missed God! Listen to Jesus' words "…because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (Luke 19:44)

This is not a triumphal entry, but a very sad event. The people of Jerusalem missed their time with God. How did they miss God? Everything hinges around the person of Jesus.

If we don't understand Jesus, we will not understand God.

If we don't come to Jesus, we will not be able to come to God.

If we don't submit to Jesus, we will not be a part of the kingdom of God.

Jesus said about himself (Jn.14:6): I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

People miss God because they don’t understand who Jesus is.

People miss God because they don’t understand that:

I.              Jesus is Lord

A.   Jesus referred to himself as Lord (v.3)

Lordship combines two elements: power (might) and authority (right) to own

The owner or legal guardian - the implication of what is legitimate

Jesus is the legitimate owner of our lives.

Jesus has legitimate power and authority over our lives.

What makes God's ownership of our lives legitimate?

John tells us about Jesus: (1:2-3)

"He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

Jesus owns us because he created us.

God created all things through his Word. Jesus is the word of God. Without the word there would be no creation to speak of.

B.    Demonstrated by his omniscience in the colt event (miracle) (Mat.21:2ff; Luke19:30ff)

Mt.21:10-11 Who is this?

                        The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth…"

The people insisted in Jesus' role as a prophet, but had difficulties with him being the Word of God. Jesus is not just the bearer of God's words, He Is God's Word!!!!

Our salvation hinges upon our embrace of this truth.

Rom.10:9 "That it you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord… you will be saved."

In Peter's sermon on Pentecost:

Acts2:36 " Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Jesus is the rightful owner of all things because he transcends all things. All things depend on him for their existence…

The argument in the book of Hebrews about Jesus can be summarized like this:

            Jesus is greater than the prophets,            Jesus is greater than the angels            

Jesus is greater than Moses                        Jesus is greater than Aaron

            Jesus is the high priest and sacrifice in one, who offered himself once for all to

buy us back from Satan's hands.

Jesus right to us is double.. He created us and he redeemed us!!!!

II.            Jesus is King (v.5)

Kingship is the exercise of power (might) and authority (right).

It is to legitimately rule over that which is owned.

            Implies kingdom - dominion and a people

                                                (world and humanity)

Jesus is the legitimate ruler of all people.

Jesus has legitimate power and authority to rule over our lives.

                        To rule means that he has the authority to establish laws by which his

people will live and the power to ensure that such laws are obeyed.

A.   The Scriptures attest to his Kingship as the fulfillment of prophecy (Zech.9:9) [According to Mt.21:5]

1.     riding on a colt

2.     people laid their garments/palm branches on the ground

3.     loud praises "blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord"

Jesus accepted this praise as proper. If they did not do it, the stones would. (Luke 19:39-40)

B.    The people did not understand his kingship as the ruler of the world and their lives, but a political position…

C.   This King is:

1.     Righteous - will do what is right

2.     Gentle - brings salvation and peace

Though Jesus has the power to subdue us, He will always do what is right.

Though he has the right to condemn us, He comes to offer peace through his own life.

III.         Jesus is on kingdom timing

A.   The Lord of lords and King of kings came to die

Jesus did not come as a prophet or politician. He came as a Savior. Here and now we are to wait for his return and share in his sufferings. The world will hate us, and many trials and temptations will surround us, but in Jesus we have the victory over them all including death!

B. He will return to judge. This time he will not ride a donkey, but a horse.

            Read the context Luke 19:11-27.

We miss God because we don't accept

            Jesus as Lord - right and might to own

            Jesus as King - right and might to rule - establish laws and judge

            Jesus' kingdom timing - we share in his sufferings (enduring patiently) until

He returns to judge

            Let’s not miss God now or in his second coming!

Matthew 8:1-4 Jesus Cleanses a Leper

For the purposes of this series, I am skipping Jesus’ discourses. While I am not giving space to the discourses in the series, it does not mean that they are not valuable. It only means that I am not focusing on them here, but they are part of the context to understand the narratives. The first discourse is in chapters 5-7 and it is what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon, Jesus explains how his followers ought to live their lives as part of the Kingdom of God. The ethical standards that Jesus lays out in this discourse are very high. Some people get confused with Jesus’ moral teachings and the Law. It is important to note that the Law is not equivalent to morality. While God’s laws are moral, they don’t define the extent of all morality. Sometimes laws define just a minimum moral requirement, but Jesus speaks of the full moral value of life in the kingdom and he taught it with authority.

Right after preaching this sermon, a leper comes to Jesus as he is walking down the mount and asks to be healed. Leprosy was a term used to describe a wide range of skin diseases that made a person “ceremonially unclean.” To be unclean meant that the person had to live outside the community until the leprosy healed and the priest had to approve his/her reentry into the community after examining and certifying that (s)he had healed. Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah that was prophesied by Isaiah, a healing Messiah. Actually, the healings were a sign to the people that God was at work in their midst. But I want to highlight the leper as a follower in contrast with the crowds that “followed” Jesus.

Like many others, the leper had a need. But in contrast with the crowds, the leper came to Jesus, knelt before him, called him Lord, and asked to be cleansed. The leper shows the attitudes of a true follower: he got closer, he worshiped, he believed. The way in which the leper asks shows that he had no doubt that Jesus could, but he pleaded that he would. Lepers were outcasts of society in those days, but Jesus does not hesitate to stretch out his hand and touch him to heal him. Jesus shows his compassion and takes action by showing mercy. In the same way, Jesus touches us when we come to him to be cleansed from all unrighteousness (1Jn.1:9).

Lord, cleanse me from all unrighteousness. May I get closer and acknowledge you as my Lord. Help me believe that you have the power to cleanse me from my uncleanness.

Acts 2:14-41 Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

Peter takes the lead to explain what is going on. It is not that the people are drunk! It is the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (Joel2:28-32) right before their eyes. Joel spoke of the pouring out of the Spirit upon all flesh with evident manifestations of prophecy, visions, and dreams. The second part of his prophecy speaks of the day of judgment with wonders in the heavens and signs on the earth. Some of these are: blood, fire, vapor of smoke, the sun turning into darkness and the moon turning into blood. These are all literary devices to express the coming of the day of the Lord, or Judgment Day. The Spirit is here! I am living the end times!

Then, Peter presents Jesus as the man God delivered up according to his plan and foreknowledge. At the same time, he accuses the crowd for crucifying and killing him. Many books have been written about the reconciliation between God's sovereignty and Human responsibility. The Scriptures teach both. Whatever philosophical system we devise to explain the interaction of these two perspectives cannot lose sight that both need to be upheld. My God is sovereign! From the little sparrow to the hairs on my head, he has dominion over it all. I am responsible! God will hold me accountable for my thoughts, words, and actions.

Now he turns to the Psalms (16:8-11) to prove that Jesus' resurrection was prophesied by David and links the pouring of the Spirit with the resurrection and ascension of the Lord. Finally, he states that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. The title of Lord implies that Jesus has power, authority, and influence over his people. The title of Christ identifies him as the promised one to Israel, the Messiah, the King to come, the Savior. I have to come to grips with who Jesus is in my life. Is he my Lord? Is he my Savior?

The people's response to Peter's sermon was that they were cut to the heart. It was devastating! It hit them really hard. Now what? What to do? Peter points the way with repentance and baptism so they can enjoy the promised Holy Spirit. It pains my soul to see many people today in our churches without making a commitment to the Lord through baptism. I will never forget my baptism. Mom and Dad did not like it. My friends then, told me I was crazy. Baptism is the confession to the world that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. The message continues to be the same: Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the promised Holy Spirit.

Father, thank you for giving your Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my soul. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to fill me and guide me day by day. May I keep Christ as the center of my life to live in the fullness of your promise all the days of my life. Amen