WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.880 Good morning. 00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:15.200 So like Andrew said, the readings from John 12, starting from verse 12. 00:00:16.240 --> 00:00:22.059 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 00:00:22.059 --> 00:00:27.600 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:32.820 Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. 00:00:33.800 --> 00:00:38.179 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 00:00:39.120 --> 00:00:45.060 Fear not, daughter of Zion, behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt. 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:51.640 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:57.540 then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 00:00:58.579 --> 00:01:02.899 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb 00:01:02.899 --> 00:01:06.400 and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 00:01:07.099 --> 00:01:12.340 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 00:01:13.260 --> 00:01:15.099 So the Pharisees said to one another, 00:01:15.659 --> 00:01:20.439 You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:37.560 How's it going? I'm Marty. I'll be preaching today. 00:01:38.979 --> 00:01:41.019 If you want to follow along with what I'm saying, 00:01:41.219 --> 00:01:44.359 my very long outline is on the back of the bulletin, 00:01:44.399 --> 00:01:46.399 which you should have gotten when you come in. 00:01:47.679 --> 00:01:50.679 And keep your Bibles open as we look at this passage. 00:01:51.259 --> 00:01:52.459 Let's pray before we begin. 00:01:52.459 --> 00:02:01.739 Dear Lord, as we come to your word, we want to see you. 00:02:01.839 --> 00:02:03.019 We want to worship you. 00:02:03.159 --> 00:02:07.859 We want to understand your word and we want to be changed by it. 00:02:07.859 --> 00:02:16.900 But Lord, we can't do this unless your spirit is working in each and every one of us here, including me, Lord. 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:23.759 And so be working here today so that we might see you and see our King Jesus. 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:25.840 Amen. 00:02:27.679 --> 00:02:32.139 So, what kind of leader are you looking for? 00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:34.639 And what do you want from them? 00:02:34.759 --> 00:02:38.079 There are many different types of leaders in our lives. 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:40.419 And we want all kinds of things from them. 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:44.039 Politicians, pastors, parents, bosses. 00:02:45.340 --> 00:02:47.340 And leaders can be great. 00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:53.620 When a leader is good, there are so many benefits for society and us. 00:02:54.400 --> 00:02:57.920 When we have good politicians, the country goes well. 00:02:58.800 --> 00:02:59.159 Sometimes. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:03.099 When we have good pastors, the church spiritually thrives. 00:03:03.980 --> 00:03:06.819 Good parents sometimes make good kids. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:11.199 Good bosses actually make good decisions. 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:13.879 We love good leaders. 00:03:13.879 --> 00:03:20.799 And generally speaking, we'll happily follow someone who meets the mark and gives us what we want. 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:25.019 But we also expect too much of our leaders. 00:03:25.719 --> 00:03:32.060 We look to the leaders in our lives to solve problems which they couldn't possibly solve. 00:03:32.859 --> 00:03:41.879 In politics, we want our politicians to uphold Christian values, to look after the environment, the needy, the poor, the unborn. 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:43.659 Or things they should do. 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:52.079 But we can't expect ungodly leaders of an ungodly nation to bring true moral transformation. 00:03:53.299 --> 00:03:54.819 What about our pastors? 00:03:55.840 --> 00:03:57.000 They cop it. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:04.120 We blame our own lack of spiritual growth on them or the numerical growth of the church on them. 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:09.379 But often the church is made up of individuals, us. 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:13.039 And so it's not really up to them. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:16.860 And it's also up to the spirit to grow his church and God. 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:18.600 But we blame them. 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:30.199 We want so much from our leaders and we react strongly and remove our support from them as soon as they don't give us what we want. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:32.699 Have you ever done that to a leader? 00:04:34.479 --> 00:04:35.599 I know I have. 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:39.420 Have you sent off that email to the pastors? 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:42.620 Have you gossiped about your boss? 00:04:42.620 --> 00:04:43.620 Have you noticed? 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:44.620 Have you noticed? 00:04:44.620 --> 00:04:54.459 When we start looking for the things we think our leaders should be providing, instead of seeing who our leaders are and what they're here for, we miss out. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:58.939 But what about when it comes to Jesus? 00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:02.920 A lot of us here would claim to follow him. 00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:05.600 We would say he is our true leader. 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:09.980 But do we miss him in the pursuit of the things we want? 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:21.379 I think we can easily look to him for the things we think he should be providing, instead of seeing him for who he really is and what he came to do. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:27.779 Or Jesus stands in the way of the things we want. 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:29.779 And so we ignore him. 00:05:31.219 --> 00:05:34.259 What kind of leader are you looking for in Jesus? 00:05:35.239 --> 00:05:37.439 And what do you want him to give? 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:41.479 What do you want instead of him? 00:05:43.179 --> 00:05:51.179 Today in our passage, the Israelites are looking for Jesus to be their leader and not just any leader, but their king. 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:54.399 The king they think they need. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:06:00.919 And they have very strong thoughts about what they think this king can give them. 00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:05.000 And it is in this search we come to our passage. 00:06:05.179 --> 00:06:06.959 So have your Bible open. 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:14.099 Now as Jesus enters Jerusalem, his formal ministries and signs are complete. 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:19.479 But now the shadow of the cross looms over everything that happens. 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:22.859 And so as he enters Jerusalem, he faces two immediate things. 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:28.539 He faces the threat of the religious leaders who want to kill him. 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:33.040 And he also faces the hype of the Passover. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:46.100 So in the chapter before this, when Jesus decided to come to Bethany and raise Lazarus, right outside of Jerusalem, it was already dangerous for Jesus to go there. 00:06:47.260 --> 00:06:52.160 His disciples told him, last time you came here, Jesus, they tried to kill you. 00:06:52.740 --> 00:06:53.300 Don't go. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:57.040 But Jesus insisted on going to Bethany to raise Lazarus. 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:07.319 Thomas, known for his doubting, shows a level of devotion and courage in chapter 11 by saying, let us also go that we might die with him. 00:07:08.460 --> 00:07:10.939 So it was dangerous for Jesus to go to Bethany. 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:21.000 But then Jesus goes to Bethany and raises tensions by the raising of Lazarus and causes a huge commotion. 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:24.000 So look at verses 9 to 11 of chapter 12. 00:07:26.300 --> 00:07:35.639 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:40.680 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well. 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:46.199 Because on account of him, many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. 00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:54.060 Their desire to kill Jesus intensifies and is now extended to Lazarus. 00:07:55.060 --> 00:08:08.120 And Jesus, knowing the religious leaders have given orders to arrest him when he enters Jerusalem, as seen in chapter 11, and have an even intensified desire to kill him, enters into Jerusalem. 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:15.240 Jesus also comes into Jerusalem facing the Passover, the feast in verse 12. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:16.160 Look at verse 12. 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:25.139 The next day, the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:31.240 Now, the Passover was the great holiday or festival of Judaism. 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:37.120 People would have been coming in from all over Israel and even the Roman Empire to celebrate it. 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:44.319 And there could have been as many as 3 million Jews in Jerusalem for the Passover, which is a lot back then. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:53.960 And now the Passover remembered God saving captive Israel from Egyptian slavery, the story of the Exodus. 00:08:53.960 --> 00:09:02.120 And so as they celebrated the Passover this year, the feeling of Roman oppression would have weighed heavy. 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:19.940 This would have flamed their longing for freedom and restoration and the prophet Jesus from Galilee, the man who could do many signs and wonders, would have seemed like the perfect man to come and free them. 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:30.320 And so it's in this context, the Passover's, the religious leaders wanting to kill Jesus and the hype of the Passover that Jesus enters Jerusalem. 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:39.220 Now, Jesus was only 3 kilometers away from Jerusalem in Bethany and pilgrims would have still been pouring in from every direction. 00:09:40.020 --> 00:09:44.100 And they were coming in early because you had to be ritually clean before the Passover. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:45.620 So they'd just be pouring in. 00:09:46.180 --> 00:09:49.360 And so word of his coming to Jerusalem would have easily come ahead of him. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:56.080 And in chapter 11, we see that the Jews are on the lookout for Jesus, wondering, where is he coming? 00:09:56.160 --> 00:09:57.320 Is he going to come to the festival? 00:09:57.320 --> 00:10:07.960 And so as Jesus sets out to Jerusalem, likely already with a crowd, as we'll see, a large crowd comes out of the city to meet him. 00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:14.260 As the crowd comes out to meet Jesus, we see what type of king they want. 00:10:15.260 --> 00:10:16.420 Look at verse 13. 00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:32.139 Their response looks good. 00:10:33.059 --> 00:10:37.120 Finally, they seem to get who Jesus is and give him the praise that is due. 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:43.240 They get palm branches and wave them around, crying out, Hosanna. 00:10:44.440 --> 00:10:48.480 And Hosanna means save, we pray, save, we beseech you. 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:51.299 They want Jesus to save them. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:56.159 They bless Jesus, acknowledging that he comes in the name of the Lord. 00:10:56.659 --> 00:10:59.620 And finally, they declare that he is king. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:04.919 They're quoting Psalm 118, which was seen as a messianic psalm. 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:09.559 They see Jesus as a long-awaited Messiah promised in the Old Testament. 00:11:10.579 --> 00:11:13.579 What a good response to the coming of the king. 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:20.539 If someone was to say these things in the church today, we'd offer them the Lord's Supper and ask if they wanted to be baptised. 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:30.039 But as we look at what they're doing, which looks good on the surface, we see what type of king they truly want. 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:36.740 Now, palm branches were used in many Jewish festivals, but not the Passover. 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:43.179 And they had come to be symbols of nationalism and freedom. 00:11:44.459 --> 00:11:50.079 200 years, Simon Maccabee defeated the Syrians and cast them out of Jerusalem. 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:53.360 How did the Jews celebrate this? 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:57.720 With the singing of music and the waving of palm branches. 00:11:57.720 --> 00:12:00.180 That's how they welcomed him in through his victory parade. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:05.300 The same thing happened when his brother, Judas Maccabee, defeated the Syrians in another battle. 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:10.120 Now, Israel, Jerusalem, was under Roman occupation. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:18.960 The Jews did want Jesus to save them, but they wanted him to save them from their oppressors. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:25.080 They wanted a king to save their national honour, wealth, and to give them freedom. 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:28.320 They wanted a conquering king. 00:12:29.820 --> 00:12:38.879 The crowd want a conquering king riding on a war horse, but Jesus comes as the king the crowd needs riding on a donkey. 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:40.500 Look at verse 14. 00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:43.700 The first half of verse 14. 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:47.379 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it. 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:50.399 Simple. 00:12:51.500 --> 00:13:00.720 The crowd starts up this chanting in action and in response, Jesus deliberately challenges them by getting on a young donkey. 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:07.759 Jesus says nothing here, but he's actually making a big statement to the crowd. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.819 Think about protesters. 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:18.159 Protesters often will do simple actions to make a big statement and get a big response. 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:30.439 So, for example, recently we had the Extinction Rebellion, where protesters were shutting down main roads, public transport, CBDs to bring awareness to climate change. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:35.800 And what they did was a bit crazy in shutting down those things, but it was quite simple. 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:38.940 Like, chained themselves together in the middle of a road. 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:41.280 And they got a big response. 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:43.960 And a lot of people were angry at them. 00:13:44.040 --> 00:13:49.200 I'm sure there's maybe some people here who got annoyed at those greeny protesters. 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:52.900 Simple actions, big statement. 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:57.019 Another example is the Tank Man. 00:13:57.819 --> 00:13:58.699 Do you know that picture? 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:01.120 1989, Tiananmen Square. 00:14:02.459 --> 00:14:08.740 Tanks are on their way to a square where students and young people are protesting, looking for freedom. 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:12.939 And then out off the side of the road, a man comes. 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:17.879 He's holding his groceries and he just stands in front of the tanks, a column of tanks. 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:25.399 It's quite simple, his actions, just standing in the road, but he's making a big statement. 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:28.600 He's saying, stop, you shouldn't go there. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:37.320 His simple actions told a powerful message, and this is what Jesus does here, by simply riding on a donkey. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:40.120 Now, donkeys were not embarrassing to ride. 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:42.039 That's what I thought when I first read this. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:45.559 Donkeys today seem to be a bit of a joke. 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:51.239 But back then, royals and commoners would ride donkeys, and you see that even in the Bible. 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:55.839 But they were animals of peace. 00:14:57.439 --> 00:15:00.059 Conquering kings would not ride donkeys into battle. 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.439 That would look weird. 00:15:02.099 --> 00:15:07.559 The Roman soldiers at the gates, as they see Jesus coming in on this young donkey, they wouldn't be threatened by this. 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:12.419 The crowd want Jesus to come in and take over the fortress. 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:18.199 But Jesus throws that back in their face by getting on a peaceful donkey. 00:15:19.479 --> 00:15:23.539 Jesus is showing that he comes to bring peace, not the sword. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:27.839 That they need a deeper liberation than liberation from Rome. 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:35.940 He also comes as the king they need, as he shows that he comes to lay his life down willingly. 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:40.420 He's in complete control of the situation. 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:46.759 And while he comes to bring peace, he is intentionally provoking not just the crowd, but his enemies. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:54.700 He would have been coming down the Man of Olives to the east of Jerusalem with a crowd with him, a big crowd already. 00:15:55.259 --> 00:16:00.279 And then the crowd coming out of Jerusalem would be coming down the hill from the eastern side of Jerusalem. 00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:02.600 They would have met in the middle in a valley. 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:08.700 Now perched on this side of the wall, on the east of Jerusalem, was the temple. 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:11.379 Jesus does this. 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:22.220 He causes this commotion in the plain sight of the religious leaders who had set a watch to find him, to arrest him, as soon as he came to Jerusalem. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:29.740 And so they found him, except there's a giant crowd welcoming him in. 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:40.360 He comes in challenging the crowd, challenging the religious leaders, just by getting on a donkey. 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:46.600 He comes to bring peace and lay his life down willingly. 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:52.879 And it is here where the writer John steps in and provides some commentary on what is happening. 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:56.120 Look at the end of verse 14 and verse 15. 00:16:56.120 --> 00:17:01.419 Just as it is written, fear not, daughter of Zion. 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:05.920 Behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's cot. 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:12.839 John says that this is fulfilling Old Testament prophecy in Zechariah. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:18.380 Now, John condenses quite a bit Zechariah 9.9. 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:30.720 But when we go to Zechariah 9 and we look at the surrounding verses, we see even more clearly about what type of king Jesus was and how he was the king the crowd needed, not what they wanted. 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:36.580 So will you turn with me to Zechariah 9.9 and we'll have a look at what that says, because it is actually a little bit different. 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:43.859 So John, Luke, Mark, Matthew, Malachi, and then Zechariah. 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:45.419 So it's not actually that far away. 00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:49.339 So turn with me to Zechariah 9.9. 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:50.480 That's not Zechariah. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:18:07.039 And the context of Zechariah is that the Israelites, the Jews, have returned from exile and they're trying to return to the Lord and how he should act. 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:11.620 And this part of Zechariah is looking forward to the coming king and Messiah. 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:16.420 And so this is what Zechariah 9.9 says. 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:16.940 It says, 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:20.160 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:23.460 Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:26.440 Behold, your king is coming to you. 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:28.819 Righteous and having salvation is he. 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:31.519 Humble and mounted on a donkey. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:34.120 On a colt, the foal of a donkey. 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:37.819 You couldn't have added that into your version, John. 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:46.900 In Zechariah, the people are to rejoice and be glad because their king, the Messiah, is coming. 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:53.420 And finally, this king will be righteous and humble. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:57.720 And he will bring salvation riding on a donkey. 00:18:57.720 --> 00:19:06.039 But as we keep reading these verses, we see how different this king is from what the crowd want back in John. 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:08.500 So look at Zechariah 9.10. 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:15.299 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem. 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:20.420 And the battle bow shall be cut off and he shall speak peace to the nations. 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:26.339 His rule shall be from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth. 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:28.939 What do the crowd want? 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:30.099 They want a conquering king. 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:36.139 But this king doesn't bring war, but peace to the nations. 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:38.459 He shall rule the nations. 00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:41.339 Now keep looking at Zechariah. 00:19:41.439 --> 00:19:42.899 Look at verse 11 with me. 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:53.560 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:58.380 With the coming of the king, prisoners will be set free. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.100 Where? 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:02.040 From the waterless pit. 00:20:02.540 --> 00:20:04.080 From the depths of the earth. 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:11.140 What the Old Testament calls Sheol, which is hell from sin and death. 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:12.120 And how? 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:14.800 Because of the blood of the covenant. 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:22.440 Through blood, this king's people shall be rescued from the consequences of death. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:26.020 This is the salvation the king would bring. 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:29.300 And this is what Jesus came to do. 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:33.200 He didn't come to Jerusalem on a donkey to conquer it. 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:39.259 He came to Jerusalem to go outside of its gates, carrying a cross. 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:44.540 Jesus came righteous, perfectly good. 00:20:44.840 --> 00:20:48.400 He came humble, looking to the interests of others. 00:20:49.040 --> 00:20:56.840 And he came bringing salvation, spiritual life, new life, by coming to die for his people. 00:20:57.500 --> 00:21:01.920 To set them free from the waterless pit, from sin and death. 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:04.820 This is the king the people need. 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:09.940 And this is why Jesus has come to lay down his life. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:15.680 But do the people truly behold their king? 00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:20.779 Do they see how Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:23.560 And what he has come to do? 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:27.160 Verse 16, we see the disciples' response. 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:30.900 Look at verse 16, back in John 12, with me. 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:35.740 His disciples did not understand these things. 00:21:37.080 --> 00:21:39.800 The disciples did not understand. 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:42.640 They would have been stoked at all of this. 00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:47.680 Finally, Jesus is letting the crowd let him be king. 00:21:48.820 --> 00:21:52.100 So many times before this, the crowd had tried to let him be king. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.800 But Jesus resisted. 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:58.079 And if he becomes king, they would have got some perks. 00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:01.619 Finally, they can sit and find out who is at the right hand and at the left. 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:08.519 They've been with Jesus for three years, seeing everything he has done. 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:11.180 Hearing everything he has to say. 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:14.879 And they still did not understand. 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:26.620 They saw the Jesus they wanted, but they couldn't see who he truly was and the true spiritual significance of what he was doing. 00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:29.240 What about the crowd? 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:32.200 Look at verses 17 to 18. 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:40.440 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:46.819 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done a sign. 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:52.759 We see here the two crowds I've been talking about. 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:58.579 The people who saw Jesus raising of Lazarus and the people who had come to Jerusalem for the feast. 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:03.839 The people who saw Jesus raise Lazarus were telling everyone about it. 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:09.579 And because the people from Jerusalem heard it, they all came out to hail Jesus in. 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:15.299 They did see that Jesus had power by the raising of Lazarus. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:20.119 And the power over death was something the Messiah was supposed to have. 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:30.379 But as we saw by their nationalistic actions, they just wanted Jesus to give them what they wanted. 00:23:31.199 --> 00:23:34.699 Freedom from Rome and a good material life. 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:41.319 If we look ahead just in this chapter, when Jesus starts talking about how he's going to die, 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:44.080 they don't understand and they don't like that. 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:49.680 Look at verse 36 and 37 of this chapter 12. 00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:55.840 When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 00:23:56.140 --> 00:24:02.380 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him. 00:24:02.580 --> 00:24:04.539 They still didn't believe. 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:12.319 The crowd saw the Jesus they wanted, but they couldn't see who he truly was 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:16.480 and the true spiritual significance of what he was doing. 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:20.500 And finally, we see the reactions of the Pharisees. 00:24:20.620 --> 00:24:21.920 Look at verse 19. 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:25.299 So the Pharisees said to one another, 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:34.500 The Pharisees are exasperated. 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:42.680 As pointed out before, Jesus was intentionally trying to provoke them by setting up this spectacle and it worked. 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:46.159 They're gaining nothing trying to kill Jesus. 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:52.580 But by saying this, they show that they think Jesus is coming as the king, the crowd wants. 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:57.519 They think he is coming to take over and is in it for the power. 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:05.040 They don't like this because the whole world, everyone, is going to Jesus and away from them. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:10.220 They see this as their power and authority slipping away. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:13.920 This would have been an end to their spiritual authority. 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:21.060 They were the ones who taught Israel, but they were constantly at odds with Jesus. 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:26.220 He challenged their works-based view of Judaism. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:30.240 They believed the relationship with God was based on their keeping of the law 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:34.279 and also their keeping of the law they made up so that people would keep the law. 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:40.639 And Jesus would constantly break their laws and interpret the law in a way different to them. 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:47.240 And he would say crazy things by saying that salvation, righteousness was only found in himself. 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:55.059 Jesus was coming into town and their political and spiritual authority was slipping away from them. 00:25:56.639 --> 00:25:59.799 Jesus forces them to speed up their timetable. 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:03.619 Before this, they didn't want to kill Jesus at a time of high publicity. 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:05.579 They were scared of the crowd. 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:10.179 But something had to be done about him. 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:13.539 You can see they're getting flustered. 00:26:13.979 --> 00:26:19.299 They hated the Jesus the crowd wanted and they couldn't see who he truly was 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:23.219 and the true spiritual significance of what he was doing. 00:26:24.699 --> 00:26:31.059 The disciples, the crowd, the Pharisees were all looking for what they thought was important. 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:36.679 The disciples and the crowds thought that what they needed was a change in circumstances. 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:39.279 That would finally make things right. 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:47.759 Physical liberation from Rome, self-determination, no taxes, their land back, a return of national honour. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:54.180 They saw Jesus as the one who could give them these things, who would make their life better. 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:57.859 That would truly fulfil them. 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.940 The Pharisees wanted power. 00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:04.839 They wanted to be right with God on their own terms. 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:11.119 And Jesus was stopping them getting these things, which they thought would make their lives better, 00:27:11.459 --> 00:27:13.220 which would truly fulfil them. 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:19.240 All of them, the disciples, the crowds, the Pharisees, were looking for the wrong thing 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:23.679 and so they missed the king they truly needed. 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:29.060 What is our response to this king? 00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:34.940 We saw at the start how we can be like this to our worldly leaders, 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:38.039 but can we respond to this way? 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:40.360 Can we respond this way towards Jesus? 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:45.920 And sadly, we can be exactly like the people in this passage here. 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:49.920 We can look to Jesus to give us what we think we need. 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:54.160 We want Jesus to give us a change in circumstances, 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:59.320 to make us wealthier, improve our relationships, make us healthy, 00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:03.259 stop killing the people in our lives, to shield us from suffering. 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:07.460 All good things, but we want so much from him. 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:12.900 And like the crowd, often we just really want the things we think he can give us. 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:15.800 So often we don't want Jesus. 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:26.279 Are we like the Pharisees and see Jesus as a challenge to our own personal sovereignty? 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:32.019 If Jesus becomes king of my life, I won't have control. 00:28:32.919 --> 00:28:35.740 I can't just do whatever I want or be whoever I want. 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:40.059 If Jesus came to save, that means I can't save myself. 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:46.779 I can't be self-righteous, that something is wrong with me, that I'm not all good. 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:50.819 Whether we want Jesus to give us what we think we want, 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:53.599 or we think he'll stop us getting what we want, 00:28:54.440 --> 00:29:01.139 the idols of our hearts stop us from seeing Jesus as the king we really need. 00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:09.100 And we can see just from this passage, test for what our idols of our hearts are. 00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:12.340 What is it you're after? 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:16.759 What is it you suck up to people for? 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:21.340 What is it you suck up to God for? 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:26.379 What makes you angry at God when you don't get it? 00:29:26.939 --> 00:29:28.579 Or when it gets taken away from you? 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:33.519 What are you afraid to lose so much that you lash out at people 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:36.359 and get angry and murder them in your heart over? 00:29:38.459 --> 00:29:42.939 What do you love so much that it makes you not want to think about God? 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:45.240 Otherwise you might feel guilty. 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:48.939 What is it for you? 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:51.340 What is your idol? 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:58.920 These idols of our hearts stop us from seeing Jesus as the king we really need. 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:04.519 When did the disciples see and understand? 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:08.779 Because so far in this passage, if we go off Matt's model last week, 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:11.160 we don't have a good response here. 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.039 Everyone just sucks. 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:14.920 But we know that the disciples eventually did. 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:17.380 When did they see and understand? 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.440 Look at verse 16. 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:20.500 I skipped this part of the verse. 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:26.240 His disciples did not understand these things at first. 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:29.720 But when Jesus was glorified, 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:33.100 then they remembered that these things had been written about him 00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:36.019 and had been done to him. 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:40.539 When did they see who Jesus truly was? 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:46.000 When did they finally see that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God? 00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:49.139 After Jesus' glorification. 00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:54.160 Then the Spirit empowered them to remember that these things happened 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:57.100 and they saw that what was written in Zechariah 00:30:57.100 --> 00:31:00.720 was fulfilled in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:08.039 For example, after seeing Christ's glory, Thomas didn't simply cry out, Messiah. 00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:10.799 He didn't cry out, Son of God. 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:12.640 He didn't call out, Rabbi. 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:15.799 He didn't call out to the one who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:18.819 What did Thomas call out to Jesus when he finally saw his glory? 00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:23.339 He called out, my Lord and my God. 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:29.299 I don't think there's a more explicit reference to Jesus as God and King in the whole Bible as that. 00:31:30.659 --> 00:31:31.940 My Lord and my God. 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:33.039 He finally got it. 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.799 They got it. 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:41.839 You say, what is his glory? 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:46.200 His glory is his majesty, his character, his attributes. 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:53.319 And his glory can most clearly be seen in his death and resurrection. 00:31:54.919 --> 00:31:59.099 They saw Jesus' glory as they saw him reigning on the cross. 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:03.740 They saw him conquering their true enemy, sin and death, 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:06.919 by dying and rising again. 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:11.399 They saw Jesus' ascension when he went up to God 00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:15.579 and was seated at the right hand of God on his throne. 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:21.000 They finally saw that it wasn't new external circumstances they needed. 00:32:21.379 --> 00:32:23.319 They needed inner change. 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:26.259 They needed relationship with God. 00:32:27.879 --> 00:32:29.019 Forgiveness of sins. 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:31.619 And that is what Jesus came to do. 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:34.859 And that is what only Jesus can do. 00:32:35.739 --> 00:32:39.679 Bring people from spiritual death to life. 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:45.000 When the Holy Spirit empowered them to see Jesus' glory, they got it. 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:50.140 And all you need to do is look at the external circumstances of the disciples' lives 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:54.259 for the rest of their lives to see that those externals never mattered. 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.580 No longer mattered, rather. 00:32:59.180 --> 00:33:02.480 Brothers and sisters, see Jesus' glory. 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:09.420 See how he comes to Jerusalem and lays down his life willingly for his people. 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:13.339 He walks through a crowd of people who don't understand him 00:33:13.339 --> 00:33:16.559 and some of whom may well be crying out soon, 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.900 crucify. 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:21.460 So humble but so glorious. 00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:26.380 A man riding a donkey into town to die. 00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:26.460 This is war. 00:33:27.260 --> 00:33:28.260 This is war. 00:33:30.040 --> 00:33:34.660 Not on the Romans, but this is war on sin and death. 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:40.520 Friends, if you look to Jesus' glory, you'll see your true need. 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:43.640 You'll see your sin. 00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:45.240 Jesus died for sin. 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:52.099 But as you look to Jesus' glory, you will see the King who came to save people from their sins. 00:33:52.380 --> 00:33:55.220 And you won't be able to cry out anything but, 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:59.500 Hosanna, save we pray, in the real sense. 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:05.440 And so we all need to decide here today, what will our response to Jesus be? 00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:10.199 Will we cry out to Jesus, Hosanna? 00:34:10.260 --> 00:34:13.460 Not like the crowd, but like the disciples eventually did. 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.400 Like Mary did. 00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:21.039 Maybe you're realising you have never truly seen Jesus. 00:34:22.419 --> 00:34:24.619 Maybe you've just been swept up in the crowd. 00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:27.079 You grew up in the church. 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:28.500 You've been coming along for years. 00:34:28.939 --> 00:34:34.479 But just saw Jesus as someone who could change the externals in your life. 00:34:35.419 --> 00:34:38.339 Maybe you just saw him as someone who could get you out of hell. 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:47.140 Or maybe you never turned to Jesus because you saw that he challenged control over your life. 00:34:47.720 --> 00:34:50.660 That he pointed out that you had a fundamental problem. 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:53.640 That he stopped you getting what you wanted. 00:34:53.639 --> 00:34:59.859 Are you someone who has never seen Jesus as the King you need? 00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:03.240 Look to Jesus. 00:35:03.240 --> 00:35:03.380 Look to Jesus. 00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:05.220 See the King you need. 00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:06.599 He calls to you. 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:09.680 He wants you to cry to him, Hosanna. 00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:11.800 Look to the King. 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:13.700 See his glory and believe. 00:35:13.699 --> 00:35:20.339 Or maybe you're someone who has and does see Jesus for who he is. 00:35:20.339 --> 00:35:22.639 And you have called out Hosanna. 00:35:23.179 --> 00:35:28.539 But have slowly and unconsciously been looking to external things to save you. 00:35:28.839 --> 00:35:30.799 To external things to satisfy you. 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:33.019 We do this so easy. 00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:36.639 What is it you're looking for? 00:35:37.159 --> 00:35:39.519 What is it that makes you suck up to people? 00:35:39.900 --> 00:35:42.800 What is the thing that makes you angry or scared? 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:48.159 What is it which has drawn your attention away from our King? 00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:51.920 Have you been looking to other things? 00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:56.420 Look back to the King you need and see his glory. 00:35:57.940 --> 00:36:00.880 Friends, as we look to Jesus and what he has accomplished, 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:05.059 we'll have the security and satisfaction we really need. 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:08.440 If we're looking to and treasuring him, 00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:10.980 we won't need to suck up and use people. 00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:14.000 We don't need to get angry or fearful. 00:36:14.680 --> 00:36:17.300 Because he will never be taken away from us. 00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:20.860 And as we look to Jesus, the glorious King, 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:22.480 we'll be so smitten with him, 00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:25.820 we won't just cry out, save we pray. 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:30.260 We'll cry out, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:33.340 We'll cry out to Jesus things like, 00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:36.680 hallowed be your name, your will be done, 00:36:37.200 --> 00:36:38.320 your kingdom come. 00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:42.039 May your ways and your wants be successful. 00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:44.820 You won't be able to help, 00:36:45.240 --> 00:36:49.119 but continually bear witness about what our King has done. 00:36:50.200 --> 00:36:53.920 Do you want to be interested in Jesus' circumstances, 00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:55.280 not just your own? 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:57.880 Do you want to be interested in what Jesus longs for? 00:36:58.680 --> 00:37:01.180 Do you want to be missional and kingdom minded? 00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:04.060 Look to the King in his glory. 00:37:05.340 --> 00:37:09.160 And one day you will see him on his throne in heaven. 00:37:09.600 --> 00:37:12.660 One day you will see him on a host, 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:15.720 leading the hosts of heavens to judge the earth 00:37:15.720 --> 00:37:17.240 and make all things new. 00:37:17.880 --> 00:37:19.940 Look to the King and his glory, 00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:21.120 cry Hosanna, 00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:23.480 and one day you will be part of a crowd. 00:37:24.539 --> 00:37:26.400 The crowd seen in Revelation, 00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:29.480 a great multitude that no one could number, 00:37:29.579 --> 00:37:30.920 from every nation, 00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:33.859 from all tribes and peoples and languages, 00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:35.420 standing before the throne 00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:36.839 and before the Lamb, 00:37:37.679 --> 00:37:39.000 clothed in white robes, 00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:41.460 with palm branches in their hands, 00:37:41.839 --> 00:37:43.719 and crying out with a loud voice, 00:37:45.119 --> 00:37:47.440 salvation belongs to our God, 00:37:47.440 --> 00:37:50.519 who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. 00:37:52.579 --> 00:37:54.619 And so I finish today by asking, 00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:58.619 what kind of leader are you looking for? 00:38:00.200 --> 00:38:02.820 And what is it that you want from them? 00:38:04.720 --> 00:38:06.679 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. 00:38:06.860 --> 00:38:08.599 Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. 00:38:08.740 --> 00:38:10.800 Behold, your King is coming to you, 00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:13.320 righteous and having salvation as he, 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:15.079 humbled and mounted on a donkey, 00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:17.259 on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 00:38:18.259 --> 00:38:19.579 Hosanna, save we pray. 00:38:19.719 --> 00:38:21.860 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, 00:38:21.980 --> 00:38:24.360 even the God and King of Israel, 00:38:24.579 --> 00:38:25.340 Jesus Christ. 00:38:25.900 --> 00:38:26.239 Amen. 00:38:26.699 --> 00:38:27.259 Let's pray. 00:38:35.259 --> 00:38:36.639 Dear Lord, we're so thankful 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:39.259 for your King, Jesus Christ, 00:38:39.679 --> 00:38:41.840 who came to this world 00:38:41.840 --> 00:38:43.980 and just didn't do things 00:38:43.980 --> 00:38:46.500 that were expected of a King. 00:38:47.660 --> 00:38:49.200 But every time he did that, 00:38:49.320 --> 00:38:50.840 he showed what type of King 00:38:50.840 --> 00:38:52.660 he truly was 00:38:52.660 --> 00:38:54.039 and how he's the King that we need. 00:38:55.200 --> 00:38:56.380 And so, Lord, we need your help 00:38:56.380 --> 00:38:57.860 to see Jesus, 00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:59.420 to see his glory, 00:38:59.519 --> 00:39:01.579 to understand who he is 00:39:01.579 --> 00:39:04.860 and to believe in him. 00:39:05.800 --> 00:39:07.680 Lord, help us to cry out, 00:39:07.800 --> 00:39:08.820 Hosanna to Jesus. 00:39:08.820 --> 00:39:12.780 Lord, help us want to bless Jesus. 00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:17.080 Help us long to be interested 00:39:17.080 --> 00:39:19.519 in our King and what he longs for. 00:39:20.320 --> 00:39:22.019 We pray all this in the name of Jesus. 00:39:22.320 --> 00:39:22.559 Amen.