“Who Is King Today?” by Pastor P.T.Mammen
Scripture Reference: Luke 19:28-44
Today we will explore why Christian Church celebrates Palm Sunday! On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as "Passion Sunday," marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday. The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him with waving palm branches, and by covering his path with palm branches. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he begins his journey to the cross. The biblical account of Palm Sunday can be found in Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19. It is the last week of Jesus' earthly life. The crucifixion is six days away. Jesus is coming to Jerusalem despite the danger, because there are some things he must say, things he must do. Perhaps the most important thing that he said publicly, he said symbolically. He rode a donkey into town. And why is this so significant?
(1) So far as we know, Jesus never rode a donkey before. Prior to this day, he always walked with his disciples. He ate and slept and sweated in their midst. Often he drew apart from them for prayer, but he never expected any special privilege. Now he sends them to fetch a donkey for him to ride. Why?
(2) Entering the city on a donkey's colt was a simple way to symbolize the truth that Jesus did in fact come as king. He accepts the title, and he accepts the people's praise. He remembered that when Solomon became king after David, he rode his father's favorite mule during the inaugural procession into the royal city of Jerusalem (1 Kings 1:33). Now, a far greater "son of David" rides triumphantly into the city of kings in similar fashion.
(3) A conquering king would have ridden into the city on a fearsome warhorse, or in a gilded chariot, but Jesus rode on the back of a donkey. While he accepted the title of "king," he refused to become the military messiah that the people--even his disciples--wanted.
(4) Jesus had specified that the donkey was to be a young colt that had not been ridden. This suggests the sacred aspect of his journey to Jerusalem. Only animals that had never been used as beasts of burden could be considered suitable for sacred purposes (Num. 19:2; 1 Sam. 6:7). The unridden animal's willingness to bear Jesus also says something about His power. Jesus is not only a king--he is a divine king. This is not a political occasion, but a sacred one.
Today we will explore why Christian Church celebrates Palm Sunday! On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as "Passion Sunday," marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday. The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him with waving palm branches, and by covering his path with palm branches. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he begins his journey to the cross. The biblical account of Palm Sunday can be found in Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19. It is the last week of Jesus' earthly life. The crucifixion is six days away. Jesus is coming to Jerusalem despite the danger, because there are some things he must say, things he must do. Perhaps the most important thing that he said publicly, he said symbolically. He rode a donkey into town. And why is this so significant?
(1) So far as we know, Jesus never rode a donkey before. Prior to this day, he always walked with his disciples. He ate and slept and sweated in their midst. Often he drew apart from them for prayer, but he never expected any special privilege. Now he sends them to fetch a donkey for him to ride. Why?
(2) Entering the city on a donkey's colt was a simple way to symbolize the truth that Jesus did in fact come as king. He accepts the title, and he accepts the people's praise. He remembered that when Solomon became king after David, he rode his father's favorite mule during the inaugural procession into the royal city of Jerusalem (1 Kings 1:33). Now, a far greater "son of David" rides triumphantly into the city of kings in similar fashion.
(3) A conquering king would have ridden into the city on a fearsome warhorse, or in a gilded chariot, but Jesus rode on the back of a donkey. While he accepted the title of "king," he refused to become the military messiah that the people--even his disciples--wanted.
(4) Jesus had specified that the donkey was to be a young colt that had not been ridden. This suggests the sacred aspect of his journey to Jerusalem. Only animals that had never been used as beasts of burden could be considered suitable for sacred purposes (Num. 19:2; 1 Sam. 6:7). The unridden animal's willingness to bear Jesus also says something about His power. Jesus is not only a king--he is a divine king. This is not a political occasion, but a sacred one.
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