Hope Fellowship Sermon Notes: Palm Sunday

Ahhh, Palm Sunday. That is the day that Jesus rode the donkey in the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he was greeted by crowds of enthusiatic Jews, celebrating his entry into the city. Makes you want to grab a palm frond and join in the celebration! Sounds like a nice happy story, right? And too often that is how the the entry into Jerusalem is portrayed. But by doing so, the 'triumphal entry' is taken out of the context of what really happened.

Let's take a step back. In Luke, chapter 13:31-35, you find that prior to Jesus entering Jerusalem, he expresses a lament for Jerusalem. That means sorrow or sadness...not really a good start for someone who knows he is going to Jerusalem for a cheering crowd. As you read of this lament, Jesus specifically states that Jerusalem is where he will be killed. So he knows in advance that the 'triumphal entry' into Jerusalem is simple a prelude to his capture and death. No wonder the lament!

But then what is interesting is that Jesus starts telling parables to those around him. A parable is a story that is told to illustrate a single point. Now Jesus had used parables quite often in his teachings, but we find a flurry of them here in this timeframe. So, what are the points that Jesus is trying to communicate through these parables, knowing that soon he will enter Jerusalem and be killed (Luke 18:31).

I am not going to write the parables out here, but will leave it up to you to go and read each story. But here some of the points that you need to think about when reading through these parables.

Luke 14:7 - Point: When you are called to dinner (salvation), come (accept Jesus), because you may not get another opportunity.
Luke 15:4 - Point: Jesus cares about the lost
Luke 15:8 - Point: There is great joy over a sinner who repents
Luke 16 - Point: You cannot serve both God and money
Luke 17 - Point: We need to be thankful
Luke 18 - Point: Be persistent in prayer
Luke 19:11 - Point: One who is faithful with little, will be given more

After Jesus makes these points, they approach Jerusalem, but right as Jesus sees the city (Luke 19:41) he stops and weeps over Jerusalem and prophesies the destruction that Rome will cause to the city some time later.

Then, the 'triumphal entry' takes place, and we find the setting taking shape for the death of Jesus. Even with the cheering crowds, Jesus is rejected at the temple. Instead of a coronation of a king, he is spit and treated as a criminal. Israel has chosen to reject their Messiah. But the stage is also set of the resurrection of the King!