Kerwin Baptist Church Daily Sermon Broadcast

Welcome to the Kerwin Baptist Church broadcast today.

It's amazing how many people that were worshiping him within a week said crucify him. And so while this is, it's triumphant, but at the same time it's tragic. And it's a reminder to us and I want you to be able to understand today as we lead up to Easter obviously next week that we understand these things. Sometimes this is really good conversation at work for you to make sure that your co-workers understand and it's an open door for the gospel too. There is a lot of untruth out there. Over the years and different beliefs about Palm Sunday.

So we're going to do our best. The gospels all cover this particular story that we're doing. But I want to use Luke chapter 19.

It has some details in it that I like. And we're also going to trace it back briefly to where this was prophesied back in the book of Zechariah. Luke chapter 19, look at verse 28. The Bible says when he had thus spoken he went before ascending up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, this meaning Jesus, when he was come nigh to Bethpage and Bethany at the mount called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples saying go ye into the village over against you in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied whereon yet never man set.

Loose him and bring him hither. And if any man ask you why do ye loose him thus shall you say unto him because the Lord hath need of him. They that were sent went their way and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt. Now imagine this, this is somebody's property. And they just go loosen it up to take it. And the Bible says that as they were loosening up the colt, verse 33, the owners thereof said unto them, what you doing boy?

I'm sorry that's a different version, alright. Said unto them, why loose ye the colt? They probably pulled out a colt for, pulled out their own colt, you know kind of a thing. And they said, the Lord hath need of him.

Now would that work at your house? And they brought him to Jesus, I guess it worked. It's amazing God always provides what's necessary.

And he always makes a way when it's his will. The Bible says that they brought him, and look at verse 35, and they brought him to Jesus. And they cast their garments upon the colt and they set Jesus thereon and as he went they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude, this obviously entering Jerusalem, the whole multitudes of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen saying, blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

What a wonderful scene. And then verse 39, and some of the Pharisees, they always showed up, didn't they? From among the multitudes said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. I believe Matthew has a fantastic account of this. It talks about the multitudes of people that were praising God as he was entering. We're going to talk about that in a second. We've entitled this Palms of Victory.

Obviously you know the old song that talks about that. But I want to explain this to you today. And why this is exciting to us as Bible believing Christians. Lord we love you. Bless your word as you always do.

Please help me to try to make a lot of material plain, simple, to the point and understandable to our people. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Let me describe it this way. Jesus and his disciples were traveling over the Mount of Olives on their way to Jerusalem. And they passed by a little village called Bethpage. And what Jesus did, he sent his disciples ahead, two of them, and he said I want you to go up and as we enter Jerusalem I want you to find me an animal. To ride on.

And this is what Jesus said. I want it to be a colt or a donkey. And this donkey would be an animal that nobody had ever sat on.

Hadn't been broken. Hadn't been the kind of animal that had been trained for somebody to ride on it. And I don't know about you but whether you're talking donkey, horse, whatever. You get on an animal that's never had somebody on them. That's a different experience. That's what Jesus had. Not just over man but every part of creation.

It belonged to him. And it's a sign that you would think of a donkey that nobody had ever ridden on. That the wildness, the stubbornness, the desire not to have anybody on your back. And yet this is a picture. And this begins the process of showing you all the pictures through Palm Sunday, what we're talking about here. This shows the process how that Jesus can bring peace into your life. He can break the most stubborn individual and bring peace. What's interesting the disciples said well you know if we go get this animal what if the owners have a problem?

You know we're going to go find something. And Jesus said well if they say anything just say that the Lord needs them. So that's exactly what they did. They went to Bethpage and they found obviously you know this donkey and we find in Matthew even an account that we believe it was a colt and then the son of that colt or a donkey and they brought both of these animals there to Jesus and they put their clothes, their garments the disciples did. They laid them on the animal on this lowly donkey. And as they put their clothing on him then they obviously began to lead into Jerusalem is exactly what had happened. Now if you'll notice in verse 31 the Bible says in Luke chapter 19 Jesus said if any man asks you why do you lose him? Just tell him the Lord hath made of him. And that's exactly what they did and this is another thing for us to learn is that when Jesus tells you to do something just do what he said to do and it'll work out.

You don't have to add to it. Just say well Jesus said that the Lord has need of him. And miraculously the owner is like okay let me help you untie him there. Amazingly this owner let go of these animals and exactly what Jesus said what happened happened and as they went they ascended toward Jerusalem. And a large multitude began to gather around as they entered into the gates of Jerusalem. And this crowd I want you to understand today they understood in a sense that Jesus was the Messiah. But what they did not understand is that it wasn't time for Jesus to set his kingdom up yet. You see they thought when Jesus came into Jerusalem that day the triumphal entry of the Messiah. They thought that he's going to come and clean house, set up his kingdom, get rid of the political leaders, take over and everybody's going to live in peace because of the Messiah.

But Jesus that wasn't his plan. What's interesting if you will look at chapter 19 where you're at and I want you to look at verse 10. And he describes this for the son of man has come to seek and to save that which is lost. Same chapter look at verse 11 and as they heard these things he added and spake a parable because he was nigh or close to Jerusalem and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. You see the very people that said well I believe he's the Messiah because they thought he was going to set up his kingdom immediately. And when he didn't set up his kingdom immediately but died on the cross for our sins all of a sudden they changed their tune and now they're saying crucify him. When he didn't do what they thought he should do now they didn't think he was the Messiah. You know it's amazing how many church people say they're saved but when Jesus doesn't do what you think he should do. When he doesn't line things up the way you think he should line things up. And the way I think he should do things it's amazing how we kind of take him right off the throne don't we? We get mad.

We say he doesn't love us and he doesn't do enough for us. It's amazing how so many things are similar to that. What's interesting is the crowd's action along the road that's what gave rise to the term Palm Sunday. Now the very large crowd what they did there's two different things and there's different accounts. Matthew 21 if you want to write this down for sake of conversation you need to do it for sake of time today. Matthew 21 verse 8 and following describes the process but what happens is as Jesus rode into Jerusalem many people took their garments and they would lay them in the road. And then there are also individuals that took the leaves of palm trees always a sign of peace and it was the royal treatment. Now what you'll find in 2 Kings if you want to write this down for your own study.

2 Kings chapter 9 King Jehu was given the same treatment when he was coronated. So what these people were doing was tradition. They believed that Jesus was the Messiah so they took their garments out and they laid them in the road for him to pass on. And then many of them took those palm trees. Now let me read you these verses so you know where you get palm trees. John chapter 12 verse 12 says this on the next day much people that were come to the feast when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem 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. So that's where we get the term Palm Sunday. You know because some people threw their garments Palm Sunday is better than shirt Sunday.

Or coat Sunday. So we went with Palm Sunday. But it's just simply describing what happened this day which we believe is the Sunday before Jesus actually on Easter arose from the grave. Now in their praise of Jesus I want to explain to you what was going on. If you want to hold your place and see this Matthew 21 verse 9 Luke has some details that I wanted you to see today. But Matthew 21 verse 9 I know I'm giving you some information and we're going to draw to a close briefly. But I want you to see what the crowd specifically said as Jesus was entering Jerusalem on that lowly donkey.

You say why do you keep saying that you'll understand. Matthew 21 verse 9 this is what they said. They said Hosanna to the son of David blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest heaven.

Now where in the world would they get that? Psalm 118 write it down verse 25 through 26. That's exactly what we call a messianic Psalm. It's a Psalm that speaks of the Messiah coming. And in Psalm 118 that's exactly it said what would be said when the Messiah would come and because they believed he was the Messiah they quoted the crowd literally quoted from Psalm 118. And this is why this is important because when they did that the Pharisees got nervous because they knew that scripture and they knew that scripture was set aside for the Messiah and you know that many Jewish Pharisees and Jewish people to this day still think the Messiah is yet to come.

But I'm here to tell you he's already been here and he is sitting on the right hand of the throne of God right now. But when the crowd began to say this they knew that the crowd believes this man Jesus is the Messiah and that's a problem. That's why this was the beginning of the end. That's why they then sought to crucify and kill Jesus because they said these people believe he's the Messiah and they didn't. And this was going to ruin business for them. So that's why it all started.

Now let me mention this if I can. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd when they heard it if you'll notice in chapter 19 of Luke where you're at that's why I want you to see the message that says some of the Pharisees from on the multitude said unto him master they looked at Jesus and they said master rebuke thy disciples. You see why it's so important because when the Pharisees heard all these people basically coronating Jesus as Messiah the Pharisees got upset and they went to Jesus and they said hey Jesus you need to rebuke your disciples.

You need to stop them from saying stuff like that. Now notice Jesus response. Look at verse 14. And he answered and said unto them I tell you that if these should hold their peace in other words if these people kept their mouths shut and they didn't worship me he said the stones would immediately cry out. You can stop their mouths if you want to but if I tell them to be quiet the very stones on the ground are going to praise me.

That really got them mad. Jesus was so politically correct wasn't he? Jesus was so passive. Let me tell you something Jesus spoke the truth with love but he still spoke the truth. You say alright alright preacher I get this now.

Let me tell you why I want to bring into play today. Some four to five hundred years before this day ever happened. Zechariah prophesied of this day and I know you're aware of that but what I decided today instead of giving you my outline I'm going to put these verses up on the screen because I want you to see them while I explain them to you. Zechariah chapter 9 verse 9 and 10 but we're just going to leave verse 9 up just for a little bit and I want you to see that. Some four to five hundred years before this ever happened in Jerusalem Zechariah prophesied that this event which we call Palm Sunday would take place.

Now the prophecy that he gave in this verse was fulfilled in every little detail. Unfortunately the crowds they looked for a messiah and I want you to get this please as you're looking at this please hear what I'm saying. All these multitudes of people are what we call disciples which were followers of Christ not the apostles. Disciples were people that were believers supposedly. The people that followed Jesus. They thought that Jesus would rescue them politically or even nationally but Jesus came to save them spiritually.

First things first. Hey can I tell you something we're not going to fix America politically until we fix America spiritually. You and I often we want to see something nationally or politically that know that he's God. He didn't come to save us politically or nationally he came to save us spiritually.

You can change the outside but it won't last you got to fix the inside. And the crowds didn't like it because when they realized that he was crucified and killed well he didn't set up his kingdom. He didn't do anything of that nature while they just killed him. He must not have been the messiah.

Isn't that something? Look at Zechariah chapter 9 verse 9 words are on the screen. If you haven't turned to it in your own Bible I want you to read it. This is what Zechariah prophesied. Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion or Sion some of your Bibles will say shout O daughter of Jerusalem behold thy king cometh unto thee he is just and having salvation lowly and riding upon an ass or a donkey obviously as we use nowadays and upon a colt the foal of an ass or donkey. That's the prophecy.

Isn't that amazing? Four to five hundred years and this little inconspicuous prophet just put this verse in there just another little sign that the messiah was coming and this is exactly how it would happen and sure enough it happened exactly like he said. But this gives us even more information than all of the gospels combined.

Why? Because Zechariah before Jesus even showed up told us exactly what Jesus would be. And I want you to look at that this morning. Verse will stay up here. I want you to see. Look at verse 9.

First I want you to see this. He said rejoice greatly. You and I have a whole lot of reason to be happy today. This palm Sunday we're getting ready to celebrate obviously a great day for us which is Easter. But can I tell you palm Sunday is great for us because he wouldn't have risen if he hadn't come. And Zechariah said in order for him to be the messiah this is what he has to be. And this is exactly what Jesus was. Notice verse 9. He said behold thy king cometh under thee.

Notice number 1. He is just. Now this word just is the Hebrew word zadik and it means this. It means lawful.

It means righteous. That means if he's going to be the messiah he has to be a person without sin. Now he just gives these three little words he is just but can I tell you something those three words are almost an unbelievable aspect to our savior. The fact that he could be born man and God live here on earth suffer on earth be treated the way he was treated on earth and never one time sin. Bible says he was tempted in all points like we are yet without sin.

Why is this so important? Well to bring grace instead of the law the law had to be fulfilled. See you and I enjoy grace today. But in order for us to enjoy grace the law had to be done away with. And the only way the law could be done away with is if the law would be totally completely fulfilled. Now to bring grace instead of the law the law had to be fulfilled. But to be forgiven for sin God had to be appeased with a perfect pure sacrifice.

So you got two things going on here. The law has to be fulfilled and God has to be satisfied. So Jesus came.

Now I want you to get this. To be forgiven of sin God had to be appeased with a perfect sacrifice. Jesus was righteous and lawful. He fulfilled the law and he became a pure unblemished sacrifice for our sin. He had to be just righteous perfect pure in order for us to even have the chance to approach God. And Jesus as Zechariah said is just. Dear friend if those three words couldn't be said about Jesus we wouldn't be meeting this morning. We'd be burning in hell. There would be no hope. But Jesus was righteous.

Notice the second thing he says about him. He is just Zechariah said and having what? Salvation. Where would we be without salvation? He showed up born man and God lived a perfect holy righteous life.

But guess what? If he had lived a perfect holy righteous life he could have gone right back to heaven and we would have been just like we are. But he brought salvation. That makes all the difference in the world.

Can I say this? He didn't go get a bottle of salvation somewhere and bring it. He would go buy something so he could give some salvation to a bunch of people. He is salvation. That's why he came. He came to save. Bringing us salvation isn't a byproduct of him being here. That's why he came. Was to bring salvation. He is just having salvation.

Wow. Notice number three. Look if you would at verse nine what does the bible say about him? Lowly.

Right after that perfectly crafted English semi-colon you have one word and then a comma. Zechariah as the prophecy came to him through the leading of the Holy Spirit of God. He said he is just. He is having salvation. Lowly. Notice he didn't say low. He said lowly. That means this lowly means although he was as high as you could possibly get he made himself low.

Now you get this. He rode on a lowly unbroken donkey. Military leaders would have ridden in on strong horses. Political leaders would have ridden in on golden chariots and a whole array of different things.

The whole society would have showed up in some train of chariots or whatever the case might be. But our savior who was righteous was lowly. He held the highest office but he was lowly. He owned the cattle on a thousand hills but he was lowly. He had legions of angels at his beck and call but he was lowly.

He was wealthier than all the wealthiest of the world combined. He was lowly. Don't you love our savior?

Wow! He was humble. Number three. He was lowly.

Number four. He is peaceful. I don't know what it means nowadays.

It's a shame that the world perverts things. He was lowly and riding upon a donkey having a colt the full of that donkey. Now you got to understand why is this significant? Because you say he is riding in as king but kings would have ridden in on a big grand horse or in a chariot or something. He was peaceful.

Why? Because strong horses always meant a military presence. It means a fight was coming. He was lowly. He wasn't coming to fight folks. He already won. How are you going to fight a fight when you've already won it? He didn't ride in on a horse taking over. He already won. He wasn't coming to fight. He already had the victory.

Listen to me. He wasn't coming to be politically correct. He was already God. He wasn't coming to rage war on the people. He came to defeat Satan. So instead of riding in like some political motivated leader or a military general, he came in on a lowly humble donkey to let the people know I come to bring peace. Now I can rage the greatest war that's ever been raged and win it because I've already won it. But I didn't come to fight you. I came to save you. He was peaceful. May I say this last?

We're almost done here and I'm excited about this one. Did you notice the very first thing that Zechariah said about him before he even started describing him in verse 9? I love this. Rejoice so greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem.

Behold, thy what? Last he's king. He is righteous. He's the savior. He is humble.

He is peaceful. Zechariah said. But he said in verse 9, he's the king. Notice verse 10 if we can put verse 10 up on here.

I want you to see what he said. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. Jesus came in on a donkey and he will overcome those in chariots and those on the horses.

I'm the only one excited about this but just leave me alone, okay? But look at verse 10. And the battle bow shall be cut off. Nobody's gonna fight against him. But listen to this.

I love this. And he shall speak peace unto the heathen. And his dominion shall be from sea even to sea and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

What does it mean dominion? He's king. You say, well they didn't treat him like a king. Oh, they're saying, oh, he's the senator of the highest. The Messiah has come and in just a few days they were yelling, crucify him. You say, well, he wasn't treated a whole bunch like a king. Well, hold on. You know it's amazing that a whole bunch of people whose garments had been taken off, thrown on the road.

People that had taken the time to cut down palm branches and throw them on the road. It's amazing that all these people shouted for joy but they missed the real reason Jesus came. They could neither see nor understand the cross.

And I want you to get this. In Luke chapter 19 where you're at, hopefully still, I want you to look at verse 41. Look at this. This is why Jesus wept so much as he entered Jerusalem and they're praising him left and right. He knew in his heart that they would turn their backs. Look at verse 41. And when Jesus came near, he beheld the city. And you would think, oh, here's my time. Everybody's ready.

I'm gonna come in as the king. The Bible says what? He wept over it.

Why? Look at verse 42. Saying if thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day. He's talking about Jerusalem, the Jewish people. If you had only known the things which belong unto thy peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Before Jesus ever even went to Jerusalem, he knew they couldn't see him for who he really was. Enjoy our services live and all our media on our website and church app. Thank you for listening to the Kerwin broadcast today. God bless you. You