Matthew 21:1-9

I LOVE A PARADE

LIFE OF CHRIST #46

 

Seventy six trombones led the big parade

With a hundred and ten cornets close at hand.

They were followed by rows and rows of the finest virtuosos, the cream of ev'ry famous band. 

Seventy six trombones caught the morning sun, 

With a hundred and ten cornets right behind. 

There were more than a thousand reeds springing up like weeds, there were horns of ev'ry shape and kind. 

There were copper bottom tympani in horse platoons, 

thundering, thundering, all along the way. 

Double bell euphoniums and big bassoons, 

each bassoon having his big fat say. 

There were fifty mounted cannon in the battery, 

Thundering, thundering, louder than before.

Clarinets of eve'ry size and trumpeters who'd improvise 

a full octave higher than the score. 

Seventy six trombones led the big parade, 

when the order to march rang out loud and clear.

Starting off with a big bang bong on a Chinese gong, 

by a big bang bonger at the rear. 

Seventy six trombones hit the counter point, 

while a hundred and ten cornets played the air. 

Then I modestly took my place as the one and only bass, 

and I oompahed up and down the square. ©1957 Merideth Wilson

 

We are getting close to the holiday parades season.  Soon there will be the famous Macy’s Parade as well as others held around Thanksgiving.  And around New Year’s Day there will the Rose Parade, the Orange Bowl Parade and of course, in Philadelphia, will be the Mummers’ Parade.

 

As you know, there are parades all year round for any number of reasons.  Not all parades are joyous, however. Some parades are rather somber, like the funeral procession for President John F. Kennedy.

 

But we return to our study of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ for a joyous parade.  He arrived in Bethany for His last visit to Jerusalem.  On an evening before what we call “Palm Sunday” Jesus was at a dinner where Mary of Bethany anointed Him with expensive perfume.  When Judas and other disciples showed displeasure, Jesus defended her and explained that she had done it for his burial.

 

The parade the next day involved a king and His followers, and is probably the most important parade in all of history.

The King of course is the Lord Jesus Himself. The parade occurred coming into the city of Jerusalem the very week that He was crucified. The day of the parade is called “Palm Sunday” because of the use of palms in the procession.

 

On Palm Sunday Jesus by his actions is saying to Jerusalem and the Jewish people, “I am your king, chose if you will have me!”  Jesus knew that although there was a great reception for Him on Palm Sunday, that He would be rejected and crucified.

 

THE PLAN – Vss. 1-3

 

Vs. 1 – Bethphage and Bethany were cities not far from each other or from Jerusalem.

 

Here we see our Lord putting into action a plan for the parade into Jerusalem.

This was the time to go “public”.

He had preached throughout the Israel of that day.

 

He had sent out preachers on a couple of occasions, both the twelve and a group of 70.

He had worked great Miracles.

He had taught the people.

He had been in and taught in Jerusalem.

 

But this entry was to be special.

This time He would present Himself and would accept recognition and praise as the King of Israel, the Messiah.

 

Israel would have the opportunity to accept or reject Jesus Christ. Of course although there were great crowds, except for the disciples, the reception was not one of true acceptance.  The leadership especially wanted nothing to do with Jesus Christ.

 

Vss. 2-3 – The plan was indeed quite simple for the two men who were sent.

They were to find an ass or a donkey and her colt. They were to loose them, and bring them to the Lord.

If anyone was to question what was being done, they were to answer, “The Lord hath need of them.”  That would dispel the problem.

 

The most arresting thought that I face when I contemplate these verses is the phrase, “The Lord hath need of them.”

 

The Lord of the universe, the very son of God found a lowly jackass and her colt to be useful in his plan.

 

If the Lord can find a use for a jackass and her colt, how much more can the Lord find use for you and I?

 

Although we are not worthy, the Lord who died for us, the Lord who gives us eternal life when we believe on Him finds us to be useful in His plan.

 

Our Lord could send angels to preach the Gospel to the unsaved.

Our Lord could send angels to do good works.

Our Lord could send angels to teach and lead His church.

Our Lord could send angels to demonstrate the love of God.

Our Lord could send angels as priests to intercede before God.

Instead He has need of us.

 

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We are to go to the world, preach the Gospel and teach.

 

John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

We are to demonstrate love.

 

Titus 3:8 - This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

 

We are to do good works.

 

1 Peter 2:9-10 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  [10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

 

God has chosen us to be the priests today that offer sacrifices of praise and intercessory prayer for others.    

 

There is not one born again Christian who is useless of valueless.

 

·       I knew a man named Tom Dole who weekly faithfully held services in a county jail.

·       I knew a lady in her 70’s at the time who would teach a Good News Club or two and would work like crazy to send upwards toward a hundred children to Christian camp.

·       I knew a man named Leroy who would sleep in church, but he would use his talent to play the saw as a musical instrument to serve the Lord.  And if I ever needed a favor, Leroy was there to help.

·       I once had a head deacon who was faithful to visitation and going on calls with me when I needed someone to go along.  He wasn’t a learned man, but he was used of God.

·       I knew two friends, Oakley Kimble and Frank Manderson who faithfully saw to it that services were held in several nursing homes and that tapes of various church services were distibuted.

·       I know of a lady in this church who has a ministry of intercessory prayer.

 

The Lord has need of you. Ask Him to place a service for Him on your heart. Get suggestions from others if necessary. 

 

Be ready to be used, because like these disciples, the Lord has need of you. YOU ARE PART OF HIS PLAN!

 

THE PLAN

THE PROPHECY – Vss. 4-5

 

The Lord had the utmost respect for the Word of God.  After all, He was and is God.

 

The reason there was a parade was because God’s Word said that there would be.

 

Verses 4-5 tell us that this event is fulfillment of the words of the Old Testament prophet, Zechariah.

 

Zechariah 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.

 

He is just, or righteous.  He is sinless.

 

He has salvation. Jesus will come a second time with deliverance or salvation for Israel.

When He came the first time He also had salvation.

He died on the cross to save us from our sins.

 

He rode on a donkey or an ass. The horse was an animal which symbolized war. The donkey was an animal that symbolized peace. In early times in Israel, the donkey was a symbolic of kingship.

 

Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, thus saying to Israel, and to us:

“Here is your king. Receive Him!”

 “Here is your salvation. Accept it!”

He has fulfilled the prophecies.

He has purchased your salvation.

Receive Him as your Savior!

Acknowledge Him as the King of your life.  

 

Romans 10:9-10 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be

saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

We as Christians are quick to see Jesus as Savior, but not as quick to see Him as Lord or king.

If Jesus is Savior, He is also Lord!

 

He was presented as king and king he must be in our lives.

 

After Arturo Toscanini had finished conducting a brilliant performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, the audience went wild. They rose to their feet, they began to cheer and shout and Toscanini began to wave his arms violently for them to stop. And when silence kicked in, he then pointed to the orchestra and said, "You are nothing!" And then he pointed to himself and said, "I am nothing." And then at the top of his voice, he screamed out, "Beethoven is everything! Everything! Everything!"  http://www.centralpc.org/sermons/1999/s990124.htm 

 

And I say to you:

Jack Peters is nothing!

You are nothing!

Jesus Christ is everything! Everything!

 

Zechariah said that the King would arrive.

The King did arrive in Jerusalem that day!

Let Him be king in your life.

 

THE PLAN

THE PROPHECY

THE PARTICIPATION – Vss. 6-11   

 

Jesus would be welcomed into Jerusalem.

Each day you can welcome Jesus as a vital part of your life.

 

The ingredients of participation now are the same as they were back then.

 

Vs. 6 – The first step was OBEDIENCE.

The two disciples did as they were told.

They did not argue.

They did not gripe.

They did not complain.

 

You and I serve a loving king.

When we are called upon to obey, it is not because the king is a tyrant.

It is because the king knows best.

Let us be obedient as these disciples.

 

John 13:13 - Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

 

Vss. 7-8 – The next step in participation was GIVING.   

The disciples used their clothes for Him to sit on. They provided the saddle.

Then others put their clothes along the way.

Still others placed palms, as if to say, “Welcome!”

But it was all giving.

 

Spurgeon – “Many are ready to fetch other men’s asses but slow to lend their own clothes: These disciples were willing and eager to bear their share in the triumphal procession of the Lord Jesus.” C.H. Spurgeon, The Gospel of the Kingdom,

p. 343

 

To make our King feel welcome we should be willing to give:

Give of our time

Give of our services

Give of our resources

Give of our money

 

2 Corinthians 9:7 - Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 

The disciples not only participated with obedience and giving, but also with their PRAISE for their king.

 

Vss. 9-11 – The disciples began it, and the multitudes picked up the chant. But it was definitely praise.

 

In a king’s court

In a king’s country

The king is welcomed with pomp and with praise.

Here is the praise of the multitude shouting, “Save now! (Hosanna) which He did!

“Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord! (which He did)

“Hosanna in the highest!”

 

Although our Lord arranged for the ride, our Lord did not arrange for the outpouring of praise. God made sure that happened!

 

In fact in Luke 19:39-40 it says, And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. [40] And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

 

The King was worthy of the praise that He received!

He is especially worthy if you consider His Heavenly glory.

 

Isaiah 6:1-5 - In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. [2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face,

and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. [3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. [4] And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.  [5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

 

Let me ask you a question.

If Jesus is your king, how much praise do you give Him?

 

Do you praise Him with words of thanksgiving?

Do you praise Him with words of adoration?

Do you tell Him you love Him?

Do you sing His praises?

Are you quick to worship or actually silent or non-involved when we sing hymns and choruses?   

 

Hebrews 13:15 - By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

 

Psalm 107:1-2 - O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. [2] Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

 

Psalm 98:1 - O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

 

So there was a parade into Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday.

There were many people present.

 

THE PLAN

THE PROPHECY – The king has come!

THE PARTICIPANTS

·       They obeyed

·       They gave

·       They praised

Is Jesus your King?

Are you acting like He is your king?