“Where are you when Jesus enters into Jerusalem?”

Zechariah 9:9, Mark 11:1-11

April 9, 2006
The Rev. Kong Namkung

A little boy, who came to every single Sunday, was sick on Palm Sunday and stayed home from church with his mother.  His father returned from church holding a palm branch.  The little boy was curious and asked, “Why do you have that palm branch, dad?’  “You see, when Jesus came into town, everyone waved Palm Branches to honor him, so we got Palm Branches today.”  The little boy replied, “Aw, Shucks!  The one Sunday that I miss is the Sunday that Jesus shows up!”

As Jesus rode a colt and entered into the greatest city, Jerusalem, in Israel, the crowds took off their cloaks and waved palm branches and said, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”  Jesus rode the colt, his disciples followed behind him.  In this scene I’d like to ask you to find out yourself. 

1.      Bystanders (11:5) – the representative questioning Christians.  

“What are you doing, untying the colt?”  They knew what the disciples were doing.   The disciples untied the colt and took it with them. And Jesus rode it.  All these things were in the old Testament.  God had planned Jesus riding the colt more than 500 years ago through the prophet Zechariah.  And these people, even though they learned about it and heart about it, but they did not understand what Jesus was doing with the colt.

The bystanders did not have any idea what God had spoken to them and what Jesus planned with the colt. 

Perhaps they were good persons morally and ethically. They were questioning the strangers, two disciples, untied the colt and took it with them.  They sought social justice and they knew right from wrong, and good from evil. But they did not know the plan of Jesus Christ. 

Are you like the bystanders, who questioned questions about God’s plans in your life?  Are you like the bystanders who ask God, “God are you still there” whenever you have tough times in your life?  “Why me? Lord”  “Why” are your favorite questions to God? 

When John was 2 or 3 years old, he asked me, “Daddy, do you love me?” Then few minutes later, he asked me the same question over and over.  I said to myself and Kum, “I will answer to him even one thousand times.”  Then little later, he asked me the question again.  Then I answered him again.  

Are you like 2 or 3 years child spiritually?  Do you have to ask God about God’s goodness and His faithfulness?  And question about his plan for your life?   The Bible says, “All things work together for good for those who loves God.”  (Romans 8:28)

2. The  Colt (11:4) – representative of service. 

The colt does not say anything about the weight of Jesus on his back. It never gave ride to anyone or nobody put anything on its back.  But the colt had a glorious day of his life.  He got Jesus on his back and he carried him all the way to the temple in Jerusalem.   I do not know whom you ride with everyday in your life.  But ask Jesus Christ ride with you as you are driving your car to work and shopping or any thing places.  Zechariah 9:9

3. The crowds (11:8)- saying “Hosanna!” which means “save us now!”  They praised Jesus and worshipped Jesus.  Five days later, which was Friday, the exactly same crowd said to Pontius Plate, who asked them, “What do you wish me do to with the man you call the King of Jews?”(Mark 15:12)  “Crucify Him!” 

Why did they change their attitude?

1. What they said was different from their heart.  – Not committed faith.
2. Their expectations were not met.
3. The words of Jesus were not in their hearts.  John 8:43- 45, “Why do you not understand what I say?  It is because you cannot accept my word.  You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires.  He was a murdered from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  He lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of life.”  
4. Two disciples  - representative of obedience.   Philippians 2: 8, “He humbled himself and became obedient to he point of death, even death on a cross.”

Who are you when Jesus enters into Jerusalem?  Thanks be to God, who accepts us just as we are and who wants us to be obedient and loyal to Jesus Christ.

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Zechariah 9:9

9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  NIV

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Mark 11:1-11

11:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'"

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

"Hosanna!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

10 "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"

"Hosanna in the highest!"

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.  NIV

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