WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.540 Have you heard the phrase, you can tell an awful lot about a person by the way they choose to enter a room? 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:14.439 ! Heard that? Yeah, some of us? You can tell a lot about a person by the way they choose to enter a room. 00:00:15.580 --> 00:00:22.679 We live in a world where entrances matter. Just have a think about that. Entrances matter. 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:29.539 I've done enough weddings in my time in this building to know that when it comes to a bride, 00:00:29.539 --> 00:00:39.759 walking up the aisle, she's not winging that. She's thought about every single step and the timing of that. 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:45.780 I'm pointing because we've done so many here. The timing of that step. She's thought about who's going to go where in the procession. 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:53.019 She's thought about the music that she's going to come into. An awful lot of thought has gone into how she enters. 00:00:54.840 --> 00:00:58.519 And it's not just brides who care about entrances, if you think about it. 00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:08.260 Singers care about entrances. Comedians care about entrances. Political leaders care about entrances. 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:18.920 Many an hour spent in my youth watching WWF. I know that wrestlers care about entrances. 00:01:19.100 --> 00:01:22.960 You can tell a lot about a person by the way they choose to enter the room. You with me? 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:26.780 Yeah? You with me? We're in the room. Great. 00:01:28.339 --> 00:01:34.319 The events of this passage, what we're going to take in this morning, we're going to take in an entrance. 00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:41.159 Okay? Take in an entrance. Now, the events of this passage, Christians call it, Craig alluded to it earlier, 00:01:41.299 --> 00:01:48.099 we call it Palm Sunday. So this is the first day of the last week of Jesus' life. 00:01:48.099 --> 00:01:56.419 So we need to know about Palm Sunday. Now, come with me to the text. Do you see verse 28? Look at it there. 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:01.899 Let me show you the movement that's in this chapter. 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:12.259 As we think about entrances, and entrances matter. Here's verse 28. Do you see how Jesus is heading for Jerusalem? 00:02:13.460 --> 00:02:18.120 And I guess that's kind of like the last episode in a box set, right? 00:02:18.140 --> 00:02:20.920 You think about everything's been building towards a finale. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:24.180 That's kind of what's been going on in Luke's gospel to this point. 00:02:24.180 --> 00:02:30.040 Everything's been building towards this last scene that's going to happen in Jerusalem. 00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:37.260 And Jesus started making that journey to Jerusalem in Luke's gospel back at chapter 9, verse 51. 00:02:39.140 --> 00:02:43.140 Luke tells us that Jesus set his face like flint to go there. 00:02:43.460 --> 00:02:48.580 And what does that tell you? It tells you that there's a purpose to what Jesus is doing. 00:02:48.580 --> 00:02:55.820 But as we hit Luke chapter 19, or sorry, way back in chapter 9, sorry. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:03:01.960 He was in Galilee in the north when he said that he was setting his face like flint to go to Jerusalem. 00:03:02.500 --> 00:03:08.040 Now, that is some 70 to 90 miles between him and Jerusalem, and he's doing the thing on foot. 00:03:09.340 --> 00:03:10.760 So that's some distance. 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:14.780 We call it the distance between Edinburgh and Dundee, okay? 00:03:15.240 --> 00:03:16.560 It's a big, big distance. 00:03:16.560 --> 00:03:26.659 But see at verse 29, in our chapter this morning, chapter 19, he's approaching Bethpage and Bethany. 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:30.199 Now, those villages are about two miles from Jerusalem. 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:36.500 That's Brunsfield to the east end of Princess Street, roughly speaking. 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:38.620 So you get the idea, okay? 00:03:38.819 --> 00:03:43.879 Jesus, in terms of this journey to Jerusalem, him and his disciples are on the home street. 00:03:43.980 --> 00:03:44.640 They're almost there. 00:03:45.159 --> 00:03:46.020 You see it? 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:48.180 We keep on going. 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:55.939 Verse 37 of chapter 19, Jesus is on the road that goes down to, do you see the geographical detail, to the Mount of Olives? 00:03:56.580 --> 00:03:58.900 So he's nudging closer. 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:07.000 And then verse 45, which is just the one after where we're going to end this morning, he's at the temple courts. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:11.599 But which tells you by the end of verse 44, he's made his way to Jerusalem. 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:15.519 So do you see the movement? 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:20.659 Here's what I want to suggest, maybe the big thesis of this sermon this morning. 00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:23.399 You can tell a lot about a person by the way they choose to enter a room. 00:04:23.399 --> 00:04:28.879 You can tell an awful lot about Jesus by the way he chooses to enter Jerusalem. 00:04:31.539 --> 00:04:34.859 He enters Jerusalem not with pomp and grandeur. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:37.199 This is not some kind of Aladdin street parade. 00:04:37.359 --> 00:04:38.539 It's kind of how I would have done it. 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:51.340 Jesus turns up in Jerusalem riding on a donkey with tears in his eyes, with the despised and the downcast singing his praise. 00:04:51.339 --> 00:04:55.619 And that's really surprising. 00:04:57.719 --> 00:05:04.500 You know, in our world where we're so often skeptical about people's motives, right? 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:12.000 Every time I turn on my phone and it says, would you like to share this data with certain people? 00:05:12.159 --> 00:05:12.939 Oh, yeah, that's fine. 00:05:12.979 --> 00:05:13.519 We'll just do that. 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:15.019 And now I realize, oh, no, wait a minute here. 00:05:15.019 --> 00:05:20.479 People are kind of profiting over my data, knowing what I'm doing. 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:22.620 Become really skeptical about the world, right? 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:23.799 This is what we live in. 00:05:24.219 --> 00:05:26.099 We're skeptical about people's motives. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:29.000 I want you to come and see what's driving Jesus. 00:05:30.339 --> 00:05:31.680 What's motivating him? 00:05:31.740 --> 00:05:33.560 What's his heart in this? 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:37.079 See, if you don't know Jesus, this is the perfect chance to let him intrigue you. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:38.899 Josie said that, didn't she? 00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:40.879 She said, I'm all in. 00:05:40.919 --> 00:05:41.680 I love that phrase. 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:42.359 I'm all in. 00:05:43.139 --> 00:05:44.839 Come and let Jesus intrigue you. 00:05:44.839 --> 00:05:47.119 Why is he behaving like this? 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:48.819 Come and see his heart if you don't know him. 00:05:49.159 --> 00:05:50.099 And see if you do. 00:05:50.719 --> 00:05:54.039 Come and be gloriously reminded about who your king is. 00:05:54.159 --> 00:05:59.399 I always love the words of, is it Mr. Tumnus in Narnia talking to Lucy? 00:06:01.779 --> 00:06:02.779 About Narnia. 00:06:02.839 --> 00:06:03.519 What does he say? 00:06:03.799 --> 00:06:07.219 The further up and further in you go, the bigger everything gets. 00:06:07.319 --> 00:06:09.359 And may that be true of Jesus this Easter. 00:06:11.159 --> 00:06:11.359 Yeah? 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:16.080 Always more of his excellencies to know. 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:17.980 Maybe you've heard this a hundred times in your life. 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:18.500 I don't know. 00:06:18.580 --> 00:06:19.400 Friends, here's what's true. 00:06:19.900 --> 00:06:22.500 Always more of his beauty to know. 00:06:24.500 --> 00:06:26.100 Three things to see in this scene. 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:27.000 Here's number one. 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:30.400 Firstly, that the ultimate plan is playing out. 00:06:30.399 --> 00:06:34.379 Now, two reasons I think this is strange. 00:06:34.719 --> 00:06:36.339 See if you agree with me. 00:06:36.459 --> 00:06:37.979 Two reasons I think this is strange. 00:06:38.419 --> 00:06:39.359 Firstly, Jesus. 00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:42.579 Why not just finish like you started on foot? 00:06:44.299 --> 00:06:44.539 Yeah? 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:47.919 Why not just finish like you started on foot? 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:49.159 You come all that way on foot. 00:06:49.219 --> 00:06:50.099 This was before Uber. 00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:51.399 This was before ScotRail. 00:06:51.479 --> 00:06:52.639 This was before anything else. 00:06:52.919 --> 00:06:53.799 He's made it on foot. 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:57.079 And this last little section he chooses to do something different. 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:57.960 Why is he doing that? 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:00.660 Second reason it's strange. 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:04.840 See if you're going to choose to ride in on something. 00:07:07.020 --> 00:07:09.100 Honestly, could you not have picked a better animal? 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:11.639 You thinking that? 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:17.180 Growing up, do you know a donkey was the nickname you give someone who wasn't very good at football? 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:24.959 If you remember this, if you have a certain vintage, donkey was the card that you didn't want to be holding when you were playing that card game of pairs. 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:25.519 Remember that? 00:07:26.900 --> 00:07:31.300 Who's the lovable yet not the sharpest tool in the box character who we laugh at in Shrek? 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:33.720 Donkey. 00:07:34.040 --> 00:07:34.199 Yeah? 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:36.519 So did Jesus not get the memo here? 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:41.019 Because kings don't tend to ride into places on donkeys, right? 00:07:41.220 --> 00:07:42.519 You're picking a stallion. 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:43.639 You're picking an elephant. 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:47.500 Not the loot that you're going for if you pick a donkey. 00:07:50.319 --> 00:08:00.759 But as is so often the case in the Bible, what is completely bizarre on a human level is utterly profound on a heavenly level. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:06.199 And the invitation here is to see how deep and profound this is. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:10.120 Now notice a few things here before we get to the donkey, okay? 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:12.939 Notice how in control Jesus is here. 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:15.919 Do you see verse 30? 00:08:16.419 --> 00:08:16.959 You got it there? 00:08:17.919 --> 00:08:21.120 How he tells his disciples to go ahead to the next village. 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:21.800 Do you see this? 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:23.379 And get the colt. 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:28.419 And then do you see how at verse 32 it plays out exactly how he said it would? 00:08:30.459 --> 00:08:31.839 He's in total control. 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:33.659 That's what Luke is trying to convey to us here. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:34.679 Total control. 00:08:35.059 --> 00:08:39.159 Now knowing that is going to be really important for how the next week unfolds. 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:43.579 In all its ugliest moments. 00:08:43.579 --> 00:08:47.439 In all its bizarre moments. 00:08:47.439 --> 00:08:49.839 In all its unjust moments. 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:56.500 To know that Jesus is a king whose authority extends to even the smallest of details is really going to matter. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:09:00.279 Can I just say as we head to the cross? 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:03.000 The cross of Calvary. 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:10.139 The cross of Jesus is the pulpit from which the most powerful sermon ever on the sovereignty of God is preached. 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:22.519 And Jesus' control is so poignantly complemented by Jesus' choice. 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:28.779 Because before we think that the donkey was the only animal in the village. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:40.000 And Jesus is thinking to himself like some kind of disappointed Aldi shopper looking at the fruit and veg aisle at 9.50 on a weekday thinking I'll just have to make it work. 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:44.259 Jesus knows his Bible. 00:09:45.539 --> 00:09:46.100 Right? 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:51.279 And in particular he knows the prophecy that Craig read at the start of Zechariah chapter 9. 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:55.699 This is what God had said generations before to his people. 00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:59.860 Rejoice greatly daughter Zion. 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:01.399 Shout daughter Jerusalem. 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:03.579 See your king comes to you. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.339 Righteous and victorious. 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:08.620 Lowly and riding on a donkey. 00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:18.639 And so here is Jesus if you like going out his way to put on this prophecy like a morph suit. 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:26.639 So that we will see anyone who picks up Luke's gospel will see and join the dots. 00:10:28.319 --> 00:10:31.779 But did you catch the heart of the one who's on the donkey? 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:38.019 That word there that captures his character, his heart. 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:38.860 What's the word? 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:40.639 It's lowly. 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.360 Lowly. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.860 Or gentle. 00:10:48.059 --> 00:10:50.759 Yeah, it's a word that gets a bad rep in our day. 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:56.439 We can often think that gentle is just another word for soft. 00:10:56.440 --> 00:11:03.480 But let me tell you that meekness is not weakness. 00:11:05.140 --> 00:11:14.820 Yeah, true gentleness, true lowliness is deciding to use your strength and your power and your abilities for the benefit of others. 00:11:14.940 --> 00:11:15.440 That's true gentleness. 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:16.000 Gentleness. 00:11:17.520 --> 00:11:18.680 And it's always true, isn't it? 00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:21.620 If you're a parent in the room, that's what we need to be to our children. 00:11:21.800 --> 00:11:24.160 That's how we are gentle to our children. 00:11:24.300 --> 00:11:27.020 We use our strength to serve them. 00:11:28.060 --> 00:11:28.160 Yeah? 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:34.660 Friends, you know, we're trying to think about this gentleness thing this week. 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:42.759 You know, if I were to go toe to toe with Anthony Joshua, just riff with me for a bit, okay? 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:46.039 And ask him to be gentle with me. 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:50.199 That would not be a comment on his ability. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:52.039 Right? 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:57.759 What it would be is me asking him to restrain his power in order to do me good. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:11:59.659 Right? 00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:01.600 That's what true gentleness is. 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:05.899 And that is the heart of the king who comes riding on the donkey. 00:12:06.180 --> 00:12:08.420 Lowly, gentle, meek. 00:12:09.300 --> 00:12:11.740 But make no mistake, meekness is not weakness. 00:12:13.540 --> 00:12:19.940 Make no mistake that Jesus has got all the power in the world at his disposal. 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:28.680 And yet see that his heart is entirely captured with the people that he's come to serve and save. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:29.920 That's who's in his sights. 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:35.620 That's how he is going to choose to use his power. 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:41.099 He is going to go to the cross to carry our burdens and our sins to save us. 00:12:41.459 --> 00:12:48.679 Now contrast that use of power with everything that you're seeing on the world stage right now. 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:54.759 Truly, this is a donkey that no one has ever ridden before. 00:12:55.479 --> 00:12:56.939 You see that detail in the text? 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:58.239 Again, not insignificant. 00:12:58.599 --> 00:13:01.699 Truly, this is a donkey that no one has ridden before. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:02.659 Subtext. 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:10.120 There's never been or ever will be a king like this. 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:12.879 Who will do what he's going to do. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.579 And will serve in the way that he's going to serve. 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:17.980 Will use his power in the way that he's going to use his power. 00:13:18.319 --> 00:13:20.559 Do you see that the ultimate plan is playing out? 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:24.539 And Luke wants you to not just go narrow. 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:29.839 He wants you to widen your gaze as a reader and think about this plan. 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:34.560 Which is bizarre on a human level yet profound on a heavenly level. 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:36.240 The ultimate plan is playing out. 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:38.800 Friends, second, the ultimate song is needing sung. 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:40.780 Again, come with me. 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:42.180 Verse 35. 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:47.379 Do you see how as Jesus heads to Jerusalem on the donkey, 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:49.740 the people start spreading their cloaks on the road? 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.580 Again, do you see that? 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:52.060 You can think of that. 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:56.400 I guess something like they're rolling out the red carpet in their own distinct way. 00:13:56.780 --> 00:13:57.639 That's what's going on here. 00:13:57.639 --> 00:14:01.679 And they start hailing Jesus as king. 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:02.939 And hear the volume. 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.240 Just turned up here. 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:06.419 Right? 00:14:07.199 --> 00:14:11.899 Filling the air with the words of Psalm 118. 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:16.819 Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:19.580 What they're saying here is Jesus, you're God's guy. 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:22.000 You're God's guy. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:30.299 And the thing to see is that Jesus is accepting their praise. 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:33.080 They've come for the miracles. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.379 You get that at the end. 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:40.059 So maybe there's a sense in which they've still got things to learn and see and understand about Jesus. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:42.279 But boy, do they get his identity right. 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:43.879 You're God's guy. 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:46.220 Jesus is accepting the praise. 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:49.620 But you see how some people are ticked off. 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:51.059 You see that verse 39? 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:56.959 Because along this road, I imagine they're just in between the other people who are singing. 00:14:57.119 --> 00:15:02.899 Along this road, mixed in, are the Pharisees who effectively say, 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:07.119 Jesus, tell them to turn it off. 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.859 That's what they say, isn't it? 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:10.719 Turn it. 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.599 Not just turn it down. 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:13.239 Tell them to turn it off. 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:16.279 And check out Jesus' response. 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:26.820 Oh, I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.600 Now, friends, there is so much going on here. 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:35.340 Geology, do you see, exists for doxology, if I could put it like that. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:40.820 But can I show you something that's going on here that I've never seen before? 00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:44.000 What else are the disciples shouting? 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:44.980 Do you see it? 00:15:46.680 --> 00:15:48.960 Peace in heaven and glory in the highest. 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:53.500 Now, if you remember at Christmastime, right? 00:15:53.780 --> 00:15:55.720 And you get this earlier in Luke's gospel. 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:59.259 If you remember at Christmastime, this is almost word for word. 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:04.319 And Luke 2, what you get the angels declaring about Jesus at his birth. 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:09.120 They're declaring it. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:13.919 But now who's singing that same song in chapter 19? 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:17.379 Now, we don't know who these disciples are, right? 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:20.960 God and his sovereignty hasn't given us that detail. 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:23.000 Imagine Luke, if he thought it was massively important, 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:24.200 would have told us we don't have it. 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:27.220 But here's where you use a little bit of imagination. 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:34.139 Because just a chapter earlier, chapter 18, verse 43. 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:34.879 Flick there. 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:41.240 Who encounters Jesus just outside Jericho? 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:44.819 This blind man. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:47.000 Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:50.659 Do you see how Luke goes out his way to say he started praising Jesus? 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.799 And what did he do? 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:53.659 He followed him. 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:57.220 So could it be that this blind man is there with his sight back, 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:58.720 just singing his praises? 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:03.420 Could it also be that Zacchaeus, if you keep going into chapter 19, 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:05.860 could it be that Zacchaeus is there too? 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:06.839 Yeah? 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.880 Jericho's most wanted. 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:12.940 Face on a dartboard kind of guy. 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.160 Right? 00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:15.339 What's... 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:18.000 What was it called? 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:19.500 Was it Enchanted with the kids yesterday? 00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:23.200 Flynn Rider walks into that bar and everybody goes quiet. 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:26.740 It's quite a kind of thing Zacchaeus would do when he walks into a bar. 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:29.339 Walks into the pub and everything goes quiet. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.420 Right? 00:17:31.620 --> 00:17:35.000 He's not the guy that you want your daughter to be bringing home saying, 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.839 I've met somebody. 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.279 He's called Zacchaeus, is he? 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.279 Right? 00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:41.279 He has his life transformed by Jesus. 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:44.059 He says at the end of that bit, 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:46.919 the son of man has come to save and seek the lost. 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:51.339 So do you see who could be in this gang of disciples singing Jesus' praise? 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.039 Right? 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:55.079 This is Rogues Gallery meets Motley Crue 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:58.480 with a few rugged fishermen thrown in for good measure. 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.639 They're lining the streets. 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:02.960 This group of disciples could well have been, 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:03.700 think about it, 00:18:03.879 --> 00:18:05.359 the worst choir ever. 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:08.779 The worst choir ever. 00:18:09.179 --> 00:18:11.859 This is the episode of Songs of Praise that would have been cut 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:13.839 because no one would want to watch this. 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:16.839 This could have been the worst choir ever. 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:18.939 And yet here is the wonderful thing to see. 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:24.719 When Jesus grips a heart, 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:29.500 he gives us a new song. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:32.119 The question is not, 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:33.319 can you hit a note? 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.480 The question is, 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:38.200 have you got a song to sing? 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:40.980 And do you see how this Motley Crue, 00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:42.559 who probably couldn't hit a note, 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:44.660 they start singing 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:49.019 and their praise is in wonderful unison with heavens. 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:50.740 Do you see it? 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:54.859 It rises to form a wonderful sound. 00:18:54.859 --> 00:19:00.359 Earth's song matches heaven's song 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:04.899 as this king and the donkey makes his way towards Jerusalem. 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.939 Is that not a wonderful thing to think about 00:19:06.939 --> 00:19:08.359 what it is to sing as a Christian? 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.319 We are, friends, 00:19:09.699 --> 00:19:11.939 saved people are a singing people. 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:14.240 It's one of the distinctives of the church, isn't it? 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:14.819 We sing. 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:15.899 When we sing, 00:19:16.399 --> 00:19:18.139 it's not about can we hit a note. 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:21.439 It's about our praise is rising and joining with heavens. 00:19:22.439 --> 00:19:24.839 Take on the king who is worthy of praise. 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.939 Do you see it? 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.799 Let that encourage you this morning. 00:19:30.639 --> 00:19:32.859 Saved people love to sing. 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:37.379 It always makes me think of that famous line 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:39.399 from American author Anne Dillard 00:19:39.399 --> 00:19:40.159 in her book, 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.839 Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, right? 00:19:42.199 --> 00:19:42.659 She said, 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:44.679 I had been my whole life a bell 00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:47.039 and I never knew it until that moment 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:48.740 what it was to be lifted up and rung. 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:54.880 The blind man, Zacchaeus, 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:56.359 maybe it's your song this morning. 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:58.740 I never knew what it was to be a bell 00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:00.140 until I was lifted up and rung. 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:02.299 And Jesus gives us a song to sing. 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:04.880 Do you see how this is a wonderful foretaste 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:07.079 of what will be wonderfully true 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:09.059 on that day when he returns? 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:12.519 All heaven, 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:14.200 all earth, 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.859 rising to sing 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:17.159 and to fill 00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:18.480 all of creation 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.279 with his praise. 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:23.940 Some of you remember that old hymn, 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:25.399 praise my soul, 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.299 the king of heaven, 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.839 to his feet, 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:29.000 thy tribute bring, 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.759 ransomed, 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.159 healed, 00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:30.700 restored, 00:20:30.899 --> 00:20:31.179 forgiven, 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.440 who like me, 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.740 his praise should sing. 00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:35.319 Praise him, 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:35.919 praise him, 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:37.180 praise him, 00:20:37.320 --> 00:20:37.759 praise him, 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:39.240 praise the everlasting king. 00:20:39.320 --> 00:20:39.519 Friends, 00:20:39.580 --> 00:20:40.900 do you see how there's an ultimate song 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.539 needing sung? 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.840 And then thirdly, 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:46.640 the ultimate peace is being offered. 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.980 Because you can't help, 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:49.400 can you, 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:52.000 notice the massive contrast here 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:55.340 between all the noise, 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.259 all the excitement, 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.340 all the expectation, 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:59.300 all the praise giving way to 00:20:59.300 --> 00:21:02.300 Jesus crying. 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:05.940 Have you ever wondered 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:07.079 what makes Jesus cry? 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.700 Here it is. 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:12.599 Two things to see here. 00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:14.639 See who these tears are for. 00:21:16.159 --> 00:21:17.440 As not for the first time 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.180 in Luke's gospel, 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.980 Jesus' heart visibly breaks 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.779 as he looks out 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.579 and he perceives 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.700 the city of Jerusalem. 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:26.039 Because in Luke 19, 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.460 he sees this city 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:30.079 not as it currently is, 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:32.839 but he sees it 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:34.139 as it soon will be. 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:38.639 Because what Jesus describes here 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:40.339 would happen in AD 70 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.299 when the Romans 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.679 marched into town. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.379 So within 40 years, 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:46.859 call it, 00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:47.799 of this moment, 00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:50.299 within a generation, 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.819 all of this, 00:21:51.939 --> 00:21:52.740 all of these things 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.679 will take place. 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.879 And in the Bible story, 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.220 that's happened before. 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.980 Jesus is not the first 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:01.480 weeping prophet in the Bible. 00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:02.819 He is the ultimate one. 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:03.920 And yet there's another 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:05.200 weeping prophet in the Bible 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.559 called Jeremiah. 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.299 Right? 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:11.180 Who spoke to his generation 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.860 of people in Jerusalem, 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.279 pleading with them 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:16.360 to see that they, 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:18.460 because they wouldn't listen, 00:22:18.620 --> 00:22:20.000 because they were scorning 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.960 the word of God, 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:23.160 and because their detestable deeds 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:24.220 were making a mockery 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.360 of the holy God 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:26.039 who they were called 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.980 to know and represent, 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:28.920 God was going to use 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:30.279 this pagan nation 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.039 called Babylon 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:32.380 to come in, 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:32.940 roll in, 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:34.200 and judge their wickedness. 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:38.160 Jeremiah weeps 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.200 over his generation. 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.720 And he says, 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.700 would you see that judgment 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.319 is coming? 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.640 And it came. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.079 And here is Jesus weeping 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.019 because he can see 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:50.079 that history is about 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:52.059 to repeat itself. 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.579 And so here's the irony 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:56.500 in Luke 19, 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.659 the city of peace, 00:22:59.199 --> 00:22:59.619 Jerusalem, 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:00.939 the city of peace, 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:02.699 has no peace. 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:07.399 Because they will not 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:08.299 come to their king 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:11.740 and receive the peace 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.839 that only he can give. 00:23:14.919 --> 00:23:15.740 And the thing is, 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:15.919 friends, 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:16.759 he doesn't stop there. 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.779 I wouldn't be doing 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.480 my job right 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.279 if I didn't tell you 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.579 that there is coming a day 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:23.259 when this Jesus 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:24.059 will return. 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.519 Not with tears 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.259 in his eyes, 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.439 but he will return 00:23:28.439 --> 00:23:29.199 in power 00:23:29.199 --> 00:23:30.079 and every knee 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:31.259 will bow before him. 00:23:31.699 --> 00:23:33.079 And if you refuse 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.980 him, 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:36.779 there is a day 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.379 like this 00:23:37.379 --> 00:23:37.819 that's coming 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.419 in the end 00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:39.159 when you will have 00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:40.159 to face the judgment 00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:40.799 of God. 00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:42.019 Make no mistake 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.799 that today 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:44.099 there are still tears 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.960 in his eyes 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.019 as he weeps over 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.439 our city, 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.980 the cities of the world, 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.819 as he weeps over 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:50.279 the people 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.500 who will not 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.220 come to him 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:54.700 and receive peace. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.039 Know that Jesus 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.900 still has tears 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.420 in his eyes 00:23:58.420 --> 00:23:58.900 for you. 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:01.960 And then see 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.839 where these tears 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.660 will take him. 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.480 You know, 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.180 we're very aware, 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.500 aren't we, 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.240 at the minute 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:08.740 that if there's 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.259 one word 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.980 that would not 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:11.059 capture our world 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.680 right now, 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:13.039 it is peace. 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.059 Yeah, 00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:16.200 on a global scale, 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:19.340 on a personal scale. 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.039 Maybe you resonate 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:23.299 with this 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:24.160 from Boris Becker, 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.700 that famous 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.460 tennis player 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.220 who was at the top 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.080 of the tennis world. 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.860 He said this, 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:28.460 I was rich, 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.319 I had all the material 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.240 possessions I needed. 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.900 It's the old song 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.680 of movie stars 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.420 and pop stars 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.519 who commit suicide. 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.840 They have everything 00:24:35.840 --> 00:24:36.559 and yet they are 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.279 so unhappy. 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.980 I had no 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:41.759 inner peace. 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.960 And the thing 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.519 in our world 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.200 today, friends, 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.839 is that we go 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.720 looking for peace 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.339 in all the wrong 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:48.859 places. 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.200 And Jesus 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.720 is here 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.799 offering us, 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:54.900 if you don't 00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:55.619 know him today, 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.859 the peace 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:57.879 that you so 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.879 desperately 00:24:58.879 --> 00:25:00.160 need. 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.740 Because these 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.200 tears, 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:02.920 where will they 00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:03.559 take him? 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:05.000 They will take him 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.160 all the way 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:07.920 to the cross. 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.759 Do you see 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.440 in this passage 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.400 how Jesus' 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.400 heart was 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.259 on us 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.400 well before 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.000 our hearts 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.680 were on him? 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.099 Yeah? 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.240 His heart 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.380 was on us 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:20.119 here. 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:20.880 The tears 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.599 will take him 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.440 to the cross. 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.099 What happens 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:23.420 there? 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.440 He goes there 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.460 to take responsibility 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.700 for my shame, 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:29.380 to make amends 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:30.720 for my failings, 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.240 to pay the price 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.680 for my rebellion, 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.240 to be the ransom 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.480 for my rescue, 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.579 to rescue me 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.619 from eternal 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.440 judgment. 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.620 he goes there 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.559 to tear 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:43.299 into the curtain 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:44.200 at the temple 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.960 that kept 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:46.340 sinful man 00:25:46.340 --> 00:25:47.120 from the presence 00:25:47.120 --> 00:25:48.180 of a holy God. 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:51.320 And he tears 00:25:51.320 --> 00:25:52.039 it into 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.700 and he beckons 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:54.500 me 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.220 to, 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.600 by faith 00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:57.160 in him, 00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:59.759 be reconciled 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.840 to my creator, 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.620 my God, 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.559 and have life 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.420 with him. 00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:05.539 That's the peace 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.120 that Jesus 00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:07.180 is talking about 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:07.720 here. 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.580 And that's 00:26:09.580 --> 00:26:10.120 the peace 00:26:10.120 --> 00:26:10.980 that we all 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.600 so desperately 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:13.720 need. 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.100 As you can tell 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.640 an awful lot 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.500 about a person 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.620 from how they 00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.299 enter a room, 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:20.980 can I suggest 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.460 you can tell 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.019 an awful lot 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.600 about Jesus 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:24.340 by the way 00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:24.820 he chooses 00:26:24.820 --> 00:26:25.820 to enter Jerusalem. 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:26.220 So you see 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:26.580 the wonder 00:26:26.580 --> 00:26:27.460 of this passage? 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:29.799 You know, 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.600 just as we close 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:31.519 life stage 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.080 that I'm at, 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:35.039 I would describe 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.259 as daddy taxi 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:40.039 and Friday 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.420 night, 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:40.980 I'm 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:43.839 taking the 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:44.500 girls to 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.099 Musselboro 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:47.079 and 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:49.039 with their 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.359 friends, 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.160 we drive 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.599 to Cameron 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:50.940 Tove, 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:51.400 I'm just 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:51.700 giving you 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.000 the route, 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.920 we start 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.279 heading the 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:53.819 wrong to 00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:54.500 Peffermill 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.980 and all of a 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.240 sudden the 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:56.579 kids in the 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.039 back start 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.500 shouting, 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.140 open the 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:58.480 windows, 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.200 open the 00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.579 windows, 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:00.240 open the 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.619 windows. 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:00.920 I said, 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.359 why do you 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:01.720 want to open 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.079 the windows? 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.759 It's freezing 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.259 outside. 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.000 Open the 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.319 windows, 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:04.960 open the 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.259 windows. 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.819 So just 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.720 go with it. 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.059 Open the 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.779 windows and 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.140 they sat 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.359 there and 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:09.519 went, 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:11.140 ah, 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:15.279 and then 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.720 her line 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.119 was, 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.680 best smell 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.519 ever. 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.660 And if 00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:21.180 you know 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:21.940 that route, 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:23.039 you'll know 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.819 that after 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.599 Peffermill, 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.299 you hit 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:25.960 what? 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:27.519 The 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.019 biscuit 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.539 factory. 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.240 And I've 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.640 got this 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.099 sermon in my 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:33.619 head and I'm 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:33.939 thinking, 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.179 is that not 00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:35.819 what this 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.539 passage should 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.299 be to us? 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.279 Seeing all 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.679 the reverence, 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:42.019 friends, 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:42.579 that this 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.399 week coming 00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:45.299 should rightly 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:47.279 have as we 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:48.819 remember Jesus' 00:27:49.179 --> 00:27:51.539 unjust trial, 00:27:51.719 --> 00:27:52.759 as we remember 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:54.539 his unfailing 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.059 commitment, 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.439 as we remember 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:57.199 his unjust 00:27:57.199 --> 00:27:58.039 condemnation, 00:27:58.179 --> 00:27:58.939 as we remember 00:27:58.939 --> 00:27:59.739 the nails that 00:27:59.739 --> 00:28:00.239 pierced his 00:28:00.239 --> 00:28:00.599 hands, 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.259 as we 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.119 remember the 00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:03.480 two thieves 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.039 that were on 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.299 there, 00:28:04.699 --> 00:28:05.079 as we 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.959 remember his 00:28:05.959 --> 00:28:06.559 tomb, 00:28:06.719 --> 00:28:07.159 as we 00:28:07.159 --> 00:28:09.059 remember on 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.480 the third 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:09.959 day he 00:28:09.959 --> 00:28:10.819 rises again 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.679 verifiably, 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.039 as we 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.819 remember it 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.039 all, 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.379 what we've 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:13.719 got to 00:28:13.719 --> 00:28:14.399 remember is 00:28:14.399 --> 00:28:14.699 that we 00:28:14.699 --> 00:28:15.119 are not 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:15.619 doing some 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:15.980 kind of 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.539 historical 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.399 reenactment, 00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:18.500 like some 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:18.740 kind of 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.319 episode of 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.659 horrible 00:28:19.659 --> 00:28:20.119 histories. 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.819 As we 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.419 take in 00:28:23.419 --> 00:28:24.119 this moment, 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:25.959 as we 00:28:25.959 --> 00:28:26.899 lead up to 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:27.359 Easter and 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:27.819 get involved 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.119 in those 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:28.879 Easter devotions 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.219 because they're 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:29.579 absolutely 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.079 brilliant. 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.079 As we 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.640 take in 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.360 the gospel, 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:36.319 friends, 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:37.920 best smell 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.900 ever. 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.880 Get it 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:42.200 in your 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.539 lungs. 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.420 This king 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:45.220 comes riding 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:45.880 into Jerusalem 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.440 with tears 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.079 in his eyes, 00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:48.140 mounted on a 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.480 donkey, 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:49.519 with the 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.680 detested and 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.819 the deplorable 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.380 singing his 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:52.720 praise. 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.700 There ain't no 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.440 king like this. 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.759 What I pray 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:58.160 and then we 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:58.980 will finish 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.660 with song. 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.039 Father, 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:04.660 thank you so 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:04.980 much that 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.460 we've had a 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:05.839 wonderful 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:06.519 glimpse of 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.700 Jesus today. 00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:10.279 Thank you 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:10.880 that you tell 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.339 us that your 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.319 ways are so 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.140 far above 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:14.039 our ways. 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:14.819 This is not 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.519 how we would 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:15.920 have thought 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.299 it would have 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:16.880 played out. 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.860 But thank you 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:19.259 as we just 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.720 have spent 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.759 half an hour 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.319 or so just 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:23.319 gazing and 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.480 breathing in 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.480 the beauty of 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.240 what Jesus is 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.759 doing here. 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.220 As we've 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:27.839 gazed upon 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.579 his heart, 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.120 Lord, 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:29.700 I pray that 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.240 your spirit 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.000 would take 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.559 that, 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.700 that message 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.440 of peace 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:36.620 that he 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:37.279 went to the 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.819 cross to 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.460 achieve for 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:38.900 us. 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:40.339 Lord, 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:40.900 may that 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:41.960 come home 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.299 with a 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:44.120 fresh wonder 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:44.779 this Easter. 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.079 Father, 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:46.600 we thank you 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.059 for your love 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.400 for us. 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.059 Thank you so 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.299 much, 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:48.640 Lord, 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:49.460 that your 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:49.900 heart was 00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:50.460 on us way 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:50.980 before our 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.319 heart was 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:51.900 ever renewed. 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.039 Thank you 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.420 that you are 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.059 this kind of 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.259 God. 00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:54.660 And we pray 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.120 all of these 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.539 things in 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:55.839 Jesus' 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:56.799 precious name. 00:29:57.639 --> 00:29:57.960 Amen.