Today is Palm Sunday when we celebrate the Triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem just a few days before Passover, his death burial and resurrection.
Over the past month I have been reading the Old Testament Law and it is fresh in my heart the requirements around the preparations of the sacrifice and the meal. This coming Wednesday night at 6pm we are going to gather for our annual Passover Sedar dinner in the Daniel Paul Bennett Youth Center. Today is the cutoff day to sign up.
This morning it was around 6am when the Lord woke me up with this image in my mind of Jesus coming into Jerusalem not as a King but as a Lamb. The same way the Lord Commanded the children of Isreal on the 10th day of the 4th month to take a lamb from their flock and bring it out from the rest of the flock and keep it separate until the 14th day of the 4th month when it was to be slain and eaten as the Passover Sacrifice. Lets review Exodus 12 together
Exodus 12
1 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,
2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
***Now I want to pause here for a moment and remind you about the number of days because they are important:
If we count backwards from Jesus resurrection early on the 1st day of the week:
Matthew 28:1-2
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
***So we have confidence Jesus was resurrected on Sunday Morning after Passover.
Matthew 12:38-40
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Mark 8:31
31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Backing up 3 days and 3 nights will bring you to Thursday which would have been the 14th day of the month with Passover beginning at evening through the following day which would be observed as a sabbath day of rest.
You can find the details recorded in John’s Gospel Chapter 19
John 19:13-14
13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14 It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon.
“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.
Not too long there after Jesus is crucified on the Cross and the Jewish leaders want him take
John 19:31
New International Version
31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.
**Actually, it was more than that. Look at what God commanded in the Law:
Deuteronomy 21:22-23
22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:
23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
Matthew 5:17
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
***Jesus comes into Jerusalem on the 10th day of Nisan (our month April) he is like the lamb that is separated for four days until it is sacrificed on Passover, 14th day of Nisan. Three days later on early Sunday morning the 17th of Nisan, Jesus rises from the Dead, just as he said he would. He is King of Kings! He is Lord of Lords! Lets praise Jesus together!
***You may say Pastor Jon, why are you getting so technical on the days, ect.
Hosea 4:6
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
***The first point of the Message today: We can have confidence that Jesus is who he says his is and does what he says he will do.
***Before we go any further I want to remind you about what Paul instructed the new believers in Galatians 3 when it comes to observance of the Law as a means to try and earn salvation. This is important as we discussed last week our Salvation is through Christ alone and not the works of the Law:
Galatians 3:1-14
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
***The first point of the Message today: We can have confidence that Jesus is who he says his is and does what he says he will do.
*** The 2nd point of the Message today: Jesus fulfilled the law so we can have salvation by faith and not works.
***So let’s go now and talk about why you have been holding palm branches during worship today and what God’s word says about the Triumphal Entry of Christ:
Beginning with the prophecy from the Old Testament. The main one is found in
Zechariah 9:9
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
**Let’s go look at Matthew 21 together read the story:
Matthew 21
1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
***I want to pause here again and show you the fulfillment of yet another prophecy: As the people are shouting Hosanna. I must admit that I have grown up my entire life and not until this morning did, I know the meaning of the word Hosanna! This word comes from two Hebrew words used together in
Psalms 118:25
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
**This phrase brings to me a whole new perspective and knowing the origin of what the people were saying makes it even more impactful. You see no one had the written word of God in their house. It was only in the temple and parts were in the synagogues but primary they learned by listening and what better way to learn God’s word than to learn in a song.
Psalm 118 is a core component of the "Hallel" (Psalms 113–118), a collection of songs praising God for salvation and deliverance. It is sung by Jewish people during major festivals (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot), Hanukkah, and the beginning of each new month. It is particularly central to the Passover Seder, closing the meal as part of the final Hallel.
Wikipedia +4
Key Times for Singing Psalm 118:
- Passover Seder: Psalm 118 is sung at the conclusion of the Passover meal while drinking the fourth cup of wine.
My Friends I want you to turn with me and lets ready Psalms 118 together in preparation for Wednesday night Sedar Dinner and to see the context of what the people were shouting as Jesus was coming into the City positioned as a king but coming as a lamb:
Psalm 118
King James Version
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5 I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
***Okay this the part the people are shouting as Jesus is coming in on the Donkey and Colt. Riding as the king, but coming as the lamb**
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
***I want you to see verse 27 again, bind the sacrifice with cord, even unto the horns of the altar. It is impossible to sing the song without thinking about the rest of the words even if you do not speak them out loud….. yet.
You see in just four days the people would be shouting the next part of the song. Bind the sacrifice with cords……or as you may recall, crucify him! Crucify him!
John 19:1-6
1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
**But do not forget the last verse of the song Psalms 118:29
29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
***The first point of the Message today: We can have confidence that Jesus is who he says his is and does what he says he will do.
*** The 2nd point of the Message today: Jesus fulfilled the law so we can have salvation by faith and not works.
***The 3rd point of the message today: Jesus is the Lamb of God that shows he is good and his mercy endureth for ever!
*** In Closing I want you to turn to Rev 5
Revelation 5
5 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.