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!

Psalm 5 Lead Me In Your Righteousness

The Greeks thought that righteousness was a virtue. The Jews thought righteousness was achieved by works. But righteousness is a relational term. We are not born with it and we cannot work for it. David prays to God: "Lead me in your righteousness." True righteousness is born out of faith in God, particularly in his ability to judge and to save. Righteousness is present in the life of the believer who lives in faith that God’s justice/judgment/salvation will usher in a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Righteousness is not passive; it is to be pursued because ultimately, righteousness is found in God and we should pray that he leads us in his righteousness not our own or any other's.

As we live our lives in this world, we can trust that God, in his righteousness, will always love what is right and always hate what is evil. There is no chance for anyone who sets his life towards wickedness. God in his righteousness, justice, and love will not allow this to happen. But we must set our hearts towards God and submit to him as our God and King. Like David, we must seek him in prayer every day.

Many are alarmed by David's prayers against unbelievers. Yet, we must remember that the people David speaks of are people who have set their unrepentant hearts against God and gloat in their wicked ways. David's prayers serve as a reminder to the faithful that the wicked will be judged and not get away with their sinful lifestyles. It is also a reminder to the wicked themselves that what awaits them is a final judgment where God will call them to accountability and condemn them if their is no repentance.

But the one who makes God his refuge will rejoice with songs of joy. God promises favor and protection to those who seek him. One must not think that the protection that God offers is to spare us from difficulties in life. No! Many more times than not, the protection of God is for our souls that we may not faint in our faith in the midst of our trials and tribulations in life. Through the ordeals of life, God promises to be a shield for our souls that we may continue to walk with him through it all; that his righteousness may continue to lead our lives.

Father, lead me in your righteousness. Enable me to seek you day by day to walk with you on the path you have chosen for me. Shield my heart from wickedness that I may serve you with joy. Amen.

Psalm 2:11-12 Take Refuge

While I was living in Puerto Rico, during one hurricane season, a flood ensued due to much rain. I was driving at the time and I noticed that down the road a flow of water was coming my way dragging cars and whatever else along the way. I had the opportunity to turn away from the flood by getting on the sidewalk and a gravel patch to climb to higher ground and take refuge until the flood subsided. I was safe because I took refuge.

We are living in very uncertain times. The economy, the war, and the healthcare reform have everyone talking about what it will be. Unfortunately, many look up to our President as the one who can provide the certainty we need in life and ignore the true ruler who can be a true refuge for our lives despite the circumstances. Psalm 2 is a song with lyrics that uncover the plot of the nations to overthrow Israel and proclaims its Messiah as the only true refuge in times of uncertainty.

Jesus, the Messiah, our King is the only refuge. But for him to be our refuge, we must submit to him as our King and worship him. We must serve him wholeheartedly as the only ruler of our lives. Jesus, the Anointed One, came into the world to become the ruler of all nations, and not just of our individual souls. One day, he will sit on a throne above all nations and those who made him their refuge will rejoice with him. Unfortunately, those who reject him as King will be judged by him.

"Blessed are all who take refuge in him." Let's take refuge in Jesus!

Father, grant me the heart's desire to make your Son my refuge. Fill me with your Spirit to submit to his rule, worship him with joy, and serve him with all my strength. Amen.

Joshua 12 Kings Defeated by Moses and Joshua

God has chosen a people for himself to establish his kingdom upon the earth. Unfortunately, there are many who are not interested in God's kingdom and are working to establish their own kingdom or become followers of someone else's kingdom. Israel set out on a journey since their liberation from the land of slavery in Egypt to wipe out all opposition to God's kingdom. The enemies were numerous under Moses as well as Joshua.

Even after Joshua, Israel's history continued as a nation striving to establish God's kingdom and battling to eliminate enemy kingdoms. My life's purpose should follow the same pattern. Through Christ, I have been liberated from my slavery to sin and death. Now that I am free, my whole life is dedicated to pursue God's kingdom and his righteousness; to establish his reign in my heart and my community. My journey is also filled with many opposing kingdoms. I must battle against each and every one of them. Victory is promised to me in Jesus Christ!

What kind of enemy kingdoms are there waiting to be conquered? The kingdom that poses the greatest threat to my life is the SELF. Selfishness is lurking at all times trying to make me captive. It manifests itself in self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, and self- indulgence; a godless trinity that seeks sacrifice, promises pleasure, but only delivers destruction. I must devote them to destruction before they undo me if I am to enjoy the promises of God's kingdom.

There are many other kingdoms seeking my allegiance to see me forsake my God. Money is constantly promising the means to buy whatever I need. Power is offering control over all the issues of my life. Indulgence offers me pleasures beyond my dreams. None of them will tell me that what they offer is short-lived and ultimately ends in my demise. I must battle tooth and nail to eliminate them from upon the earth, but first I must get rid of them from my heart.

Lord, help me battle in your name to establish your kingdom. Grant me power to overcome selfishness and all the lures of the world. Fill me with peace that surpasses understanding, love that surpasses knowledge and joy that is everlasting. Amen.

Joshua 8:1-29 The Fall of Ai

Canaanite religion was characterized by a few things that were in quite contrast with the God of Israel. For one, Canaan was organized as a conglomerate of city-states where each one was ruled by a king who also acted as a priest for the people. For the Israelites, God was the king and a priest was appointed from the Levites. The worship rituals of Canaanite religion included extreme sexual immorality (bestiality, homosexuality, orgies, etc.), child sacrifice, and extreme corruption. All of these practices were prohibited among the Israelites. The literature of the day describes the Canaanite gods at length and it is impossible to think that the God of the Israelites was a development of Canaanite religion.

The love, holiness, and integrity of God are in stark contrast with these city-state despots. The God of Israel cannot stand the sight of sin as demonstrated with the sin of Achan. Achan and his family were stoned in an effort to eradicate intentional sin from the midst of Israel. The instructions to wipe out the Canaanite city-states must be understood from this perspective. The holy God of Israel stands against the gods of Canaan and sends his chosen people to cleanse the land from sin before they settle in it. One must think that there is an opportunity to repent, just like with Rahab and be spared of the destruction, but the Canaanites set their face against Israel.

Intentional sin is an abomination to our God. I tend to downplay how pervasive sin really is in my life and of those around me. My tendency is to excuse myself: "After all, I am only human." My humanity should not serve me as an excuse to engage in sin. It should motivate me to seek God all the more and depend on his help to overcome it all the more. The establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth begins with its establishment in my own heart and life. That is my battle day by day. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Lord, help me in my battle against sin. May I not settle for my sinful nature, but battle against intentional sin to please you and serve you. You have conquered sin and death! Help me enjoy the benefits of such victory through dependent obedience to you.