Palm Sunday: a celebration of Jesus, who He is and what He does!
John 12:12-13
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Resurrection Sunday.
Palm Sunday is called Palm Sunday because it commemorates the biblical event of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches and laying them on the ground, symbols of victory and triumph.
They were shouting Hosanna, which means save now!
They were shouting the right words for the wrong reason.
They were looking for a political king to conquer Rome and free them from bondage.
They were not looking for the King of kings, who would save their souls and make them whole.
They were celebrating Jesus for the things he had done, but they did not know who he was. They knew he was Mary’s firstborn, but they did not know He was God’s only Son.
They knew he could raise the dead, but they did not know He would raise himself from the dead.
They knew he fed 5000 men plus women and children with four small pieces of bread, but they did not know He is the Bread of life.
They knew he was the son of Abraham, but they did not know He was Abraham’s God.
They obeyed the customs of their day, which was to celebrate the entrance of a king.
But we have come today to celebrate Jesus; however, we know who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is going to do.
Palm Sunday is holy week for Christians worldwide, to reflect and rejoice about God’s love and Jesus’ obedience in giving his life that we may have life.
I. Jesus is the reason for our worship- vs. 12
II. Jesus is the object of praise and worship- vs. 13-15
Palm Sunday, and every other Sunday, are all about Jesus.
As we approach celebrating Resurrection Sunday, it is important to recognize and appreciate that it's all about Jesus.
The reason we are to obey God’s word is because of who Jesus is, what he does in our lives, and what he is going to do.
I. Jesus is the reason for our worship- vs. 12
b. This feast day is the Passover worship celebration.
In the world of sports, there are certain players who draw large crowds:
When Lebron James or Stephen Curry come to Orlando, the average ticket price $57.00 increases to $318.00, a 457%.
Well, in the world of religions, Jesus draws enormous crowds to worship celebrations.
Well, if we told people what God has done, what God is doing, and what God is going to do, this place would be packed.
II. Jesus is the object of praise and worship- vs. 13-15
b. Praise is an outward expression of inward gratitude.
And Jesus when he had found a young donkey, sat thereon; as it is written. (Zech. 9:9)
Fear not, daughters of Zion: behold thy king cometh sitting on a donkey’s colt.
They praise with the right words, but for the wrong reason!
They were looking for a king to conquer the Roman Empire.
But the King of kings came to sacrifice his life so that we may have eternal life.
Jesus told Pilate for this cause, I came into the world.
Jesus, as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Palm Sunday, the King of Glory entered Jerusalem:
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory? The LORD is strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift them up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of Glory.
Palm Sunday is called Palm Sunday because it commemorates the biblical event of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches and laying them on the ground, symbols of victory and triumph.
They were shouting Hosanna, which means save now!
They were shouting the right words for the wrong reason.
They were looking for a political king to conquer Rome and free them from bondage.
They were not looking for the King of kings, who would save their souls and make them whole.
They were celebrating Jesus for the things he had done, but they did not know who he was. They knew he was Mary’s firstborn, but they did not know He was God’s only Son.
They knew he could raise the dead, but they did not know He would raise himself from the dead.
They knew he fed 5000 men plus women and children with four small pieces of bread, but they did not know He is the Bread of life.
They knew he was the son of Abraham, but they did not know He was Abraham’s God.
They obeyed the customs of their day, which was to celebrate the entrance of a king.
But we have come today to celebrate Jesus; however, we know who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is going to do.
Palm Sunday is holy week for Christians worldwide, to reflect and rejoice about God’s love and Jesus’ obedience in giving his life that we may have life.
I. Jesus is the reason for our worship- vs. 12
II. Jesus is the object of praise and worship- vs. 13-15
Palm Sunday, and every other Sunday, are all about Jesus.
As we approach celebrating Resurrection Sunday, it is important to recognize and appreciate that it's all about Jesus.
The reason we are to obey God’s word is because of who Jesus is, what he does in our lives, and what he is going to do.
I. Jesus is the reason for our worship- vs. 12
a. The Jews have three major feast days: Tabernacle, Pentecost, and Passover.“On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.”
b. This feast day is the Passover worship celebration.
- Passover, they commemorated, the exodus from Egyptian slavery.
- God uses people to draw people to Himself.
- John 11:4, “When Jesus heard that he said, this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”
In the world of sports, there are certain players who draw large crowds:
When Lebron James or Stephen Curry come to Orlando, the average ticket price $57.00 increases to $318.00, a 457%.
Well, in the world of religions, Jesus draws enormous crowds to worship celebrations.
Well, if we told people what God has done, what God is doing, and what God is going to do, this place would be packed.
II. Jesus is the object of praise and worship- vs. 13-15
a. To praise God requires doing something physically or verbally.“Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
b. Praise is an outward expression of inward gratitude.
- They did something: physical
- They said something: verbal
- The palm branches were to be waved and seen.
- They cried Hosanna: save now
- Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
And Jesus when he had found a young donkey, sat thereon; as it is written. (Zech. 9:9)
Fear not, daughters of Zion: behold thy king cometh sitting on a donkey’s colt.
- No need to worry, nor fret, your help is coming
- They miss riding on a donkey and not a horse; the donkey is for peace, not war
They praise with the right words, but for the wrong reason!
They were looking for a king to conquer the Roman Empire.
But the King of kings came to sacrifice his life so that we may have eternal life.
Jesus told Pilate for this cause, I came into the world.
Jesus, as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Palm Sunday, the King of Glory entered Jerusalem:
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory? The LORD is strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift them up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of Glory.
