WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.679 I am going to preach on Mark 11 for the main reason being that it is Palm Sunday. 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:11.700 And the James passage is great. All the Bible's good. We all know that. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:18.100 But I think actually there's something that Dave just said that has been resonating all week in preparation. 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:21.440 It's that God really wants to speak in his season. 00:00:21.879 --> 00:00:26.859 And if you start hearing something again and again and again, it's probably something you need to listen to. 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:32.359 So as Dave started, he did half of my preach. And then as Michelle prayed, she did the other half. 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:36.420 So I'm going to do it again. This time probably better. 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:41.460 And then we'll... I'm only joking. Obviously I'm only joking. 00:00:44.140 --> 00:00:50.500 But we're going to look at narrative. And I'm going to start with a story about my week. 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:54.219 Last week I had an appointment at the doctor's. I booked in. 00:00:54.219 --> 00:00:59.240 The week before I managed to get an early appointment so I could just get this over with. 00:01:00.299 --> 00:01:04.879 The night before I struggled to sleep, thinking of the white room, the medical equipment, 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:08.819 the professionals who were the only ones who could perform the task ahead. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:11.879 It was going to affect my entire day. 00:01:13.039 --> 00:01:16.939 You can imagine the fear and multiple scenarios that were running through my mind. 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:20.400 Blood everywhere. Intense pain that I couldn't bear. 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:25.680 The day came. I dropped my son into school. 00:01:26.100 --> 00:01:27.640 Gave him an extra tight cuddle. 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:31.440 It was going to be hard for me to cuddle him later that day. I'd be all achy. 00:01:33.380 --> 00:01:34.760 I went to the surgery. 00:01:35.620 --> 00:01:37.560 Sat in the waiting room. I was shaking. 00:01:38.760 --> 00:01:40.080 And then my name came up. 00:01:40.620 --> 00:01:43.040 Jay Niblett. Treatment Room C. 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:46.440 I had to be brave, I thought to myself. 00:01:47.820 --> 00:01:50.820 I walked into the seriously somber face of the nurse. 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:53.380 Have a seat, she said to me. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:55.940 How could she be so cold? 00:01:56.840 --> 00:01:58.740 How could she be so uncaring? 00:01:59.820 --> 00:02:03.260 She grabbed the equipment, tightened the strap of doom around my arm, 00:02:03.780 --> 00:02:05.760 pulled out the sharp blood drain in a tube. 00:02:06.360 --> 00:02:07.300 I couldn't take it. 00:02:07.860 --> 00:02:08.980 It was too much to bear. 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:12.399 And then she took my blood. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:16.259 Gave me a little Miss Kitty plaster and said, off you go. 00:02:18.399 --> 00:02:19.759 It's a terrible story. 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:22.519 But I wonder where you thought I was going. 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:27.280 Did you expect such an anti-climax? 00:02:28.239 --> 00:02:28.639 No. 00:02:29.839 --> 00:02:32.799 So our passage today, Mark 11, the Palm Gospel, 00:02:33.679 --> 00:02:37.599 is a reading and a great example of a story that catches you out. 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:42.099 Palm Study is the day we remember Jesus starting his mission in Jerusalem, 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:45.460 leading up to the climax of God's redemptive plan. 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:49.199 The writer Mark is a great storyteller. 00:02:50.359 --> 00:02:54.500 The whole Gospel is dramatic and possibly shaped for the crowd rather than the individual. 00:02:55.900 --> 00:02:58.500 Everything he writes is purposed and visual. 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:02.919 Our passage follows the healing of blind Bartimaeus, 00:03:02.919 --> 00:03:06.699 though he cannot see with his eyes, could see who Jesus is. 00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:11.280 And shouts out, Son of David, for healing. 00:03:12.659 --> 00:03:16.780 The story of the blind man who can see who Jesus is gives us a hint 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:20.719 that things may not be quite what they seem in what follows. 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:24.359 The message may not be quite what we expect. 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:27.620 Picture the scene. 00:03:27.740 --> 00:03:28.840 We're going to run through the passage. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:29.800 Picture the scene. 00:03:30.260 --> 00:03:32.220 Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives, 00:03:32.460 --> 00:03:35.780 overlooking Jerusalem and the eastern side of the Temple Mount, 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:39.020 the other side to which Julius Caesar came in, 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:41.580 surrounded by single families, 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:44.840 pilgrims on their way to celebrate the Passover. 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:48.680 And this is the feast where Israel's salvation is remembered. 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:52.159 And hope is placed in their salvation coming again 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:54.300 in the arrival of the Lord's anointed. 00:03:55.719 --> 00:03:59.340 Jesus standing on the Mount is the first of the Old Testament imagery 00:03:59.340 --> 00:04:00.659 that we see in this story. 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:05.060 This particular image is from a passage in Zechariah 14, 00:04:05.900 --> 00:04:08.620 where the Lord God comes as a warrior, 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:11.659 standing on the Mount of Olives at the great battle 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:14.180 when he becomes king over all the earth. 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:17.399 This anointed one, the Messiah, 00:04:17.719 --> 00:04:19.159 whom Israel was waiting for, 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:21.579 some would believe would come and defeat the Romans, 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:24.079 claim back the Holy Land for his people, 00:04:24.159 --> 00:04:26.639 and all would be right like the days of their father David. 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:29.680 Mark leads us to ask, 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:31.600 could Jesus be that one? 00:04:33.879 --> 00:04:35.620 And then we get the donkey story. 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:39.519 Jesus sends two of his disciples on a faith test to get his ride. 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:42.919 Some see this as Mark pointing to Jesus' foreknowledge, 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:44.759 some sort of prophecy, 00:04:45.479 --> 00:04:47.680 some sort of preordained power. 00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:50.319 Others see it as Jesus just being organized. 00:04:52.219 --> 00:04:53.779 It's funny when you read the commentaries, 00:04:53.979 --> 00:04:56.659 the breadth of opinions out there. 00:04:56.759 --> 00:04:57.819 You've got to be careful what you read. 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:01.000 I read another one that even thought that actually 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:04.159 this was basically Jesus booking an Uber, 00:05:05.039 --> 00:05:06.219 if you know what an Uber is. 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:07.980 It's like it's common. 00:05:08.440 --> 00:05:10.600 People who could afford it would just get a donkey 00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:11.600 because they were lazy. 00:05:12.200 --> 00:05:15.180 It's like, not quite sure that's what Mark was getting at, 00:05:15.260 --> 00:05:18.300 but I respect you for getting lots of money, 00:05:18.400 --> 00:05:19.120 putting that in the commentary. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:24.200 The disciples, they find everything, 00:05:24.580 --> 00:05:26.780 as Jesus said it would be, funny enough. 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:28.980 Jesus will enter Jerusalem, 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:30.740 among the pilgrims, 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:31.840 but not as one of them. 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:33.440 Pilgrims walk. 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:36.000 Luke, the king, will enter on a colt. 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:39.259 Another Old Testament prophecy fulfilled. 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:42.439 And Matthew and Luke really stress this. 00:05:42.779 --> 00:05:44.459 They quote Zechariah 9.9, 00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:45.800 this idea of, 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:48.319 rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion. 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:50.240 Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem. 00:05:50.459 --> 00:05:52.100 Lo, your king comes to you. 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:54.560 Triumphant and victorious is he. 00:05:55.180 --> 00:05:56.680 Humble and riding on a donkey. 00:05:56.860 --> 00:05:58.500 On a colt, the foal of a donkey. 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:00.959 Mark and Luke stress that. 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:04.019 I'm sorry, Luke and Matthew stress that. 00:06:04.199 --> 00:06:05.180 Mark leaves it out. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:08.859 Now there's loads of reasons people think 00:06:08.859 --> 00:06:10.479 that the donkey story's in there. 00:06:10.919 --> 00:06:12.519 It could be about him being a king. 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:13.699 It could be about humility. 00:06:15.579 --> 00:06:17.959 But what we get from this story 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:20.079 is there's something significant about Jesus. 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:22.139 We need to pay attention to him. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:24.519 And then we get to the crowd. 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:28.139 The crowds give their coats to this worthy one. 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:31.259 The people cut and wave branches from the trees. 00:06:31.740 --> 00:06:33.979 Historically, no one else deserves this honour, 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:35.539 for it is a kingly welcome. 00:06:36.919 --> 00:06:40.000 The scene is reminiscent of Israel's last great victory 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:41.139 before the Romans came. 00:06:42.359 --> 00:06:44.939 It hints to something called the Maccabeus uprising. 00:06:45.719 --> 00:06:48.120 A guy called Judas and another one called Simeon. 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:51.579 And what happens is they defeat the king of Syria. 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:54.240 And they enter Jerusalem and cleanse the temple. 00:06:55.019 --> 00:06:56.540 And the people praise. 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:58.939 And they get the waving going on with the branches. 00:06:59.340 --> 00:07:00.560 And it's all very exciting. 00:07:00.819 --> 00:07:03.439 And they start a hundred-year dynasty of Israel 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:05.579 until the Romans come. 00:07:06.579 --> 00:07:07.620 And they get owned. 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:12.360 But there's this reminiscent in this story of that time. 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:14.500 It wasn't that long ago in Israel's story 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:16.840 when God cleaned the temple out again. 00:07:16.939 --> 00:07:18.980 When God came in his people 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:21.300 and rebuilt Israel's name. 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:24.319 Is that what's going to happen? 00:07:24.459 --> 00:07:25.920 Is that what Jesus is going to do? 00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:29.620 This is the backdrop to which Palm Sunday declares 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:31.920 the time of redemption has come. 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:34.840 The similarities in the prophecies. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:37.619 Is it it? 00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:40.319 Well, we know it is it. 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:42.119 We know that when Palm Sunday happened, 00:07:42.239 --> 00:07:45.079 we know that it started something that ends at Easter 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:46.659 that changed the world forever. 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:47.959 We know that in hindsight. 00:07:48.899 --> 00:07:51.839 But we have to think about Mark's listeners, hearers. 00:07:53.419 --> 00:07:55.919 Why is he doing it so differently to the other two? 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:58.339 And the story continues. 00:07:58.439 --> 00:07:59.599 The people shout Hosanna. 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:02.159 And again, the Old Testament is signposted. 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:04.920 These shouts of Hosanna come from our psalm. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.040 Psalm 118. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:08.740 The last of the praise psalms. 00:08:08.900 --> 00:08:10.200 In fact, it's a royal psalm. 00:08:10.400 --> 00:08:11.180 It's about David. 00:08:13.160 --> 00:08:15.120 What has been made clear in the passage 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:16.660 is Jesus is the king. 00:08:17.140 --> 00:08:19.480 He is the Messiah Israel has been waiting for. 00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:22.440 Can you imagine the anticipation? 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:24.740 They're hearing this story for the first time 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:26.540 when they're retelling it. 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:27.800 When Mark's written this down 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:28.920 for those who weren't there. 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:30.160 The anticipation. 00:08:30.840 --> 00:08:32.420 Maybe Jesus will be that one. 00:08:33.060 --> 00:08:35.279 Maybe Jesus will finally defeat the Romans. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:37.560 They lasted quite a while. 00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:40.960 But here's Mark's version of the story, 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:41.560 how it ends. 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:41.879 You ready? 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:44.620 Jesus comes down the mount, 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:47.000 surrounded by pilgrims celebrating, 00:08:47.580 --> 00:08:48.440 and enters Jerusalem. 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:51.180 Shouts of Hosanna as he enters 00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:53.039 and the crowds join in the song. 00:08:53.420 --> 00:08:55.240 They're joining to the disciples' hype. 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:57.300 This is the moment. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:58.259 This is the moment. 00:08:59.319 --> 00:09:00.419 Well, where does Mark take us? 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:01.959 Nowhere. 00:09:03.620 --> 00:09:04.019 Nowhere. 00:09:04.699 --> 00:09:05.500 The story just goes, 00:09:05.599 --> 00:09:05.839 we're up. 00:09:06.819 --> 00:09:07.639 According to Mark, 00:09:07.719 --> 00:09:09.659 nothing significant happens on this visit. 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:12.059 No teachers or Pharisees 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:13.399 come and meet him at the temple. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:15.500 And the crowd, 00:09:16.339 --> 00:09:17.059 in less than a week, 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:17.899 will change their tune 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:19.559 from Hosanna to Crucify. 00:09:20.979 --> 00:09:22.579 Jesus just goes on a little walk 00:09:22.579 --> 00:09:23.319 around the temple. 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:26.160 And he leaves and heads to Bethany, 00:09:26.280 --> 00:09:27.760 probably Mary and Martha's house. 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:29.640 Has a coffee. 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:31.960 That's a bit of ad-libbing. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:32.940 Don't trust that bit. 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:36.340 It's pretty anticlimactic, right? 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:38.700 Where is the revolution? 00:09:39.760 --> 00:09:40.660 Where is the battle 00:09:40.660 --> 00:09:41.840 with the religious leaders 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:43.400 as Matthew and Luke jump into? 00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:45.560 In Luke, Jesus enters the temple, 00:09:45.680 --> 00:09:46.700 all guns blazing, 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:48.640 takes on the teachers of the law, 00:09:48.800 --> 00:09:49.520 speaks prophecy, 00:09:49.660 --> 00:09:50.720 and cleanses the temple. 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:52.560 Sounds a bit like Judas. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:53.720 In Matthew, 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:55.580 Jesus again comes into the temple, 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:56.340 cleanses it, 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:58.019 and again we have a clear challenge 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:59.139 to the establishment. 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:00.340 Less peace, 00:10:00.660 --> 00:10:01.259 more whips, 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:02.240 tables turned, 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:03.420 and verbal battle. 00:10:04.800 --> 00:10:06.440 See, Mark does get there eventually, 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:08.259 but his storytelling 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.779 is really important for us. 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.460 For some reason, 00:10:11.560 --> 00:10:12.540 he's just veered off. 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:13.860 He's gone off-piste. 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:16.019 According to Mark, 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:18.240 this great triumphant moment 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:19.240 isn't what it seems. 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.980 This king, 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:21.580 his kingdom, 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.399 the revolution, 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:24.200 the restoration of the temple, 00:10:24.659 --> 00:10:25.419 it's coming, 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:28.700 but it's not as they expected it to be. 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:30.259 Actually, 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:31.460 Jesus isn't the king 00:10:31.460 --> 00:10:32.740 they're looking for at that time, 00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:35.740 but he's the king they need. 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:38.560 There will be a battle, 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:41.039 but it will be fought on the cross. 00:10:43.180 --> 00:10:44.419 He is the only one 00:10:44.419 --> 00:10:45.799 who can bring about their salvation, 00:10:45.799 --> 00:10:48.659 but not by simply reclaiming 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:49.459 a little kingdom, 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.019 but establishing 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:52.219 an everlasting one. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:54.419 And this kingdom 00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:55.839 will draw in all nations. 00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:58.639 What Jesus came to do 00:10:58.639 --> 00:10:59.519 was much greater 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:00.539 than they could imagine. 00:11:03.579 --> 00:11:04.219 Palm Sunday 00:11:04.219 --> 00:11:05.279 isn't the main event. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:08.039 Easter is. 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:11.379 Mark paints 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.740 this very powerful picture 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:13.439 in his version 00:11:13.439 --> 00:11:14.059 of the story, 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:15.539 but what are we 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.519 to take away from it? 00:11:18.339 --> 00:11:19.299 Jesus enters 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:20.039 with a crowd, 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:22.259 but he leaves alone. 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:24.500 Later, 00:11:24.620 --> 00:11:25.120 he will enter 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:26.079 Jerusalem again, 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:28.179 yet he will exit 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:29.039 alone, 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:30.899 carrying a cross, 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:31.899 betrayed 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:32.899 and abandoned 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:33.899 by those 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:34.779 who came to save. 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:37.179 even those 00:11:37.179 --> 00:11:37.500 who have been 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:38.439 with him the longest. 00:11:40.199 --> 00:11:41.399 They will fall away, 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:44.019 leaving Jesus the king 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:45.839 alone to bring about 00:11:45.839 --> 00:11:46.559 their salvation 00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:47.279 and forgiveness. 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:50.799 He gives us 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:51.379 an example 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:53.740 of what his kingdom 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:54.480 looks like. 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:56.259 He gives us 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:56.779 an example 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:58.039 of how much 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:58.899 he is not 00:11:58.899 --> 00:11:59.699 what they expect. 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.139 I wonder 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:02.779 where you are 00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:03.620 in this story. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:04.000 See, 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:04.419 for Mark, 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.799 when he writes 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:06.299 the gospel, 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:07.399 he expects you 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.100 to live in it. 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:09.620 Where am I 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:10.279 in this story? 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:12.639 A book I was reading 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:13.340 recently says 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:14.039 often we like 00:12:14.039 --> 00:12:14.679 to put ourselves 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:15.820 in the hero's position. 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.340 I don't know about you 00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:18.360 when you relive a story 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:19.259 or you think about it, 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:19.779 you put yourself 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:20.620 on the winning side. 00:12:22.299 --> 00:12:22.580 Actually, 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.580 Mark doesn't want us there. 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:25.899 The story begins 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:26.460 with the crowds 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:27.139 walking down 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:27.940 the mount with Jesus, 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:28.539 celebrating, 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:29.980 dedicated to the cause. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:31.440 But when it matters, 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:32.480 Jesus is abandoned. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:34.840 And he will climb 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:35.779 the harder mountain 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:36.620 on his own. 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:39.840 I want you to visualize 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:40.240 that. 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:40.980 He came down 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:41.659 with the crowds, 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:43.940 but he went up 00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:44.639 the other side, 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:45.420 that side that 00:12:45.420 --> 00:12:46.560 Julius Caesar 00:12:46.560 --> 00:12:47.120 came through. 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:48.060 He went up 00:12:48.060 --> 00:12:48.800 that side alone. 00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:49.980 Golgotha was that side. 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.440 If you were there 00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:53.139 with Jesus, 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:54.120 would you have been 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:54.720 any different? 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:57.580 Even Bartimaeus, 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.960 who saw who Jesus was, 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.940 who Jesus is, 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:03.160 was nowhere to be seen 00:13:03.160 --> 00:13:04.300 when the passion begins. 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.540 He's not mentioned either. 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:08.399 Jesus was alone. 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.220 Pretty heavy. 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.920 So where's the good news 00:13:14.920 --> 00:13:16.980 other than the good news? 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:20.539 Though the disciples 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:22.340 didn't fully understand it, 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:23.860 they were right 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:24.920 about who Jesus is. 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:26.360 Though the crowds 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:26.920 didn't realize 00:13:26.920 --> 00:13:27.560 they were singing 00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:28.720 the right song. 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:30.700 He is the Messiah. 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:32.039 He is the King. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.180 He is the hope 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:33.899 and salvation 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:35.519 for all created things. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.240 And though they fell away, 00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:39.800 as we fall away, 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:42.019 Jesus climbed that hill 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.399 alone for them, 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:44.960 for us, 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:46.940 to make us right 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:47.400 with God 00:13:47.400 --> 00:13:48.440 and bring about 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:50.019 a new kind of humanity 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:51.879 shaped by his love 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:54.639 and continues to shape us 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:56.080 as we perpetuate 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:57.400 that love to others. 00:13:59.940 --> 00:14:01.259 So wherever you are 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:02.139 in this message, 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:04.840 for you the message 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.460 is the same. 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.700 Jesus knows you 00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:08.940 and his journey 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:09.840 to the cross 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:11.180 was for us all. 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.379 Whether you are 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:14.240 Bartimaeus, 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.840 or a crowd pleaser, 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.340 a Pharisee, 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:18.139 or a disciple, 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.279 maybe you feel 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:21.259 like Judas sometimes. 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:24.519 Jesus on Good Friday 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.320 carried the cross 00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:26.120 to bring about 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:27.200 the forgiveness 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:28.220 of sin 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:29.680 and God's kingdom. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:32.639 And the invitation 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.460 to you 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:34.960 is to take your place 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:36.659 in this new kingdom 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:38.539 and be willing 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:40.659 to carry your cross 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.159 too. 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:43.559 So later 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:44.339 you're going to come 00:14:44.339 --> 00:14:45.699 and grab a palm 00:14:45.699 --> 00:14:46.639 cross. 00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:48.219 And I want you 00:14:48.219 --> 00:14:49.279 to think about this. 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.459 Come as you are. 00:14:53.079 --> 00:14:53.980 You're welcome. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.980 You're loved. 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:00.319 Come in faith 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.360 and in grace. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:04.180 and then take it 00:15:04.180 --> 00:15:04.659 with you 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.980 to remind you 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.019 that yes, 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:07.720 Palm Sunday 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:08.860 is when we remember 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:10.259 Jesus is the king 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.340 and we welcome him. 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:14.100 He is the anointed one 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:14.960 Israel has been 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:15.740 waiting for. 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:17.879 His kingdom 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:18.779 is come 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:22.019 but it is built 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:23.279 on the cross 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.620 carrying Christ. 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:27.179 and it will keep 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:27.820 growing 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:29.440 through you 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:31.240 his cross 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:32.060 carrying people. 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.039 Amen.