Sermon: The Case of Mistaken Identity
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Who was Jesus? For those who met Jesus on Palm Sunday as He rode into Jersulem on a donkey, He was a prophet. To others, He was the coming Messiah, the One Who would overthrow the rule of the Romans. But in reality He was the Savior Who was coming to die for the sins of the world. Who do you say Jesus is? Was He merely a good teacher, wonderful person or example for us to follow? Or is He your Savior, the One Who has saved you from your sins?
One commentator said this about the passage: "You’ve seen, whether on video or in person, the military parades during World War 2 or the Cold War. If it was an American parade, you might have swelled with pride and patriotism. If it was the parade of one of our enemies, you might have felt a bit awed and maybe even intimidated. The parades were intended to be stirring, to instill as sense of wonder at the power of the state. Yet none of that today. The King enters Jerusalem. He has no tank or limousine. He rides a rental donkey. There’s not well-placed tickertape or regalia. The crowd’s reaction is spontaneous and spur of the moment. They grab palms, a symbol of victory, and strew the road with their own garments. It is hard not to imagine the Apostles’ chests puffing up a bit,their chin held a little higher than normal, as they could say to those they met, “I’m with Him.” This was the day they had been waiting for. This was the pay off for trudging around Israel with Jesus. Now they were going to be superstars. But you know what happened. But a few days later their puffed up chests were deflated like a balloon, popped by the nails
that pierced their Master’s hands and feet. This was not the coronation they expected, as their King was crowned with thorns. This was not the throne they expected, as He ascended the cross. And when Peter faced that crucial moment, faced it three times, he answered, no longer in pride but now in fear, “I’m not with Him.”
Palm Sunday is an odd mixture of sentiments for the Christian. We are happy for Jesus. He is finally getting the praise He deserves. We swell with pride as our King enters Jerusalem as a King, welcomed for once, welcomed with such excitement that the whole city was astir, asking “Who is this Jesus?” And for once the crowds
get it right. “He is the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” If only they knew, however, what prophecy held for this Prophet: namely, a turn of events like the world has never seen before or ever will see again, as the One riding a beast of burden will be come a beast of burden Himself, bearing your sins on His back, not so that you might bring them with you where He wants to take you, but that you should never see them again."
This coming Sunday we will celebrate Palm Sunday and we will talk about how Christ was the humble servant, the compassionate leader and the fulfilling Savior. Hope to see you then!
