Jesus parade
Text: John 12:12-15.
“The next day a great multitude
that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to
Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
“Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in
the name of the Lord!' The King of Israel!”
Then Jesus, when He had found a
young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's
colt” John 12:12-15.
Across the world there are many “parades.”
Some showing military power, marching bands, other parades are there to
proclaim some issue, some are purely for entertainment only, like a Disney
parade. Yet, this Palm Sunday Parade is the greatest of them all.
Let me set the scene: Jewish people are joining
together at Jerusalem from all directions, many thousands
are there to share the Passover in the holy city. Imagine the crowded streets
everywhere you look. Up till now Jesus for the most part avoided the big crowds
and kept a low profile. But now He allows His disciples to announce Him as
the Messiah/Saviour.
Why? Because Jesus is setting the
scene for His ultimate sacrifice, at Calvary.
1. THE KING’S PREPARATION.
All of Jesus earthly life He was preparing
for the events of this Passover week, and it quickly becomes evident that He is
ready!
A.
Jesus has the power to fulfil prophecy.
Verses 14-15.
“Then Jesus,
when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt” Jesus is fulfilling the prophecy of
Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice
greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King
is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a
donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Jesus on this day fulfilled another
prophecy. One of the greatest evidences/proofs you can give to the unbeliever of
Jesus being the Son of God are the facts of Jesus fulfilled so many prophecies. No
other book in the world has ever dared to predict the future like the Bible
has, and never been wrong!
When Jesus came the first time, He
fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies. And most of them He had no
control over, such as when He would be born and where and how. As well as the
events of His death down to even the minor details. What are the mathematical
odds of that happening?
Just as surely as they were, the prophecies
about His second coming will come to pass just as they have been written.
B.
Jesus has the power to control nature.
Verse 14.
“Then Jesus, when He had found a young
donkey, sat on it; as it is written.”
Just as God allowed a donkey to speak in
the Old Testament, He made another unlikely situation. What people would just
give their property away to someone they did not know?
Further, Mark’s gospel says this donkey
had never been ridden before. Does this tell you anything, (you who know about
animals)? This donkey in our text is not tame, and He who rode it would have to
have dominion over all creatures, because He is their Creator.
“What is man that You are mindful of him,
and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower
than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honour. You have made
him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things
under his feet, all sheep and oxen-- Even the beasts of the field, the birds of
the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our
Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:4-9.
If you have dominion over nature you will
be able to walk on water, calm a storm, ride an untamed animal, or heal with a
touch or a word.
2.
THE KING’S
PRESENTATION.
Jesus the King
of Kings rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, and not a chariot. The Roman authorities were used to
royalty, but not like this. The Jews have had their kings before, but none
so humble. The red carpet is replaced with branches from the trees and people
shed their clothing.
No doubt some jeered at the Jesus parade, On
the other hand:
1.
I
imagine Zacchaeus being in the parade saying, “I used to be selfish, materialistic
and dishonest, but no more, for this man has changed me!”
2.
Blind
Bartimaeus could say “I once was blind but now I see.”
3.
Mary
Magdalene could say, “I once was filthy, and He made me pure!”
4.
Lazarus
could say, “I once was dead, and THAT man was my resurrection!”
5.
Beggars,
harlots, outcasts could have marched with Jesus along the route of His parade,
singing His praises.
I for one am proud to be a part of the
Jesus parade! For I was blind, a
beggar, and outcast, but Jesus saved me and gave me a new life to live!
CONCLUSION:
“The next day a great multitude
that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the
Lord!' The King of Israel!” Verses 12-13.
“Hosanna” means “Lord, save us now!” They are recognizing Jesus as “Saviour.”
“His name shall be called “Jesus” for He
shall save His people from their sin” Like 2:7.
You need to decide if you want to be in the world's parades or the
Jesus parade. You cannot have it both ways. If you want to be in the
Jesus parade, you will need to join with the crowds that have gone on before
you, singing “Jesus is my Lord and Saviour.”
