WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:09.500 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:22.620 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:30.940 Today's reading is from Matthew chapter 21, verses 1 to 17. 00:00:52.619 --> 00:00:57.500 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet. 00:00:58.179 --> 00:00:59.459 Say to daughter Zion, 00:01:00.039 --> 00:01:06.340 See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 00:01:07.019 --> 00:01:10.000 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:15.340 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:18.640 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, 00:01:18.920 --> 00:01:22.479 while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 00:01:23.240 --> 00:01:26.219 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:27.840 Hosanna to the son of David. 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:30.700 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:01:31.240 --> 00:01:32.760 Hosanna in the highest heaven. 00:01:33.600 --> 00:01:37.000 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, 00:01:37.260 --> 00:01:38.060 Who is this? 00:01:38.540 --> 00:01:39.719 The crowds answered, 00:01:39.939 --> 00:01:42.880 This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee. 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:47.680 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. 00:01:48.180 --> 00:01:52.420 He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 00:01:52.620 --> 00:01:54.620 It is written, he said to them, 00:01:54.880 --> 00:01:59.439 My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers. 00:02:00.020 --> 00:02:03.520 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple and he healed them. 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:07.900 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did, 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:10.280 and the children shouting in the temple courts, 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:13.219 Hosanna to the son of David, they were indignant. 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:15.980 Do you hear what those children are saying? 00:02:15.979 --> 00:02:17.039 They asked him, 00:02:17.639 --> 00:02:18.659 Yes, replied Jesus. 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:19.899 Have you never read? 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:24.459 From the lips of children and infants, you, Lord, have called forth your praise. 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:28.839 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night. 00:02:29.239 --> 00:02:30.799 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:02:31.560 --> 00:02:33.099 Praise to you, Lord Christ. 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:38.079 Good morning, Christ Church. 00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:47.719 This Palm Sunday is the day, and it's really the doorway through which we enter into Holy Week, 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:54.819 at which time Christians all over the world every year gather together to read and to remember 00:02:54.819 --> 00:03:01.879 and to prayerfully celebrate the final days of Jesus leading up to his climactic crucifixion 00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:04.060 and his resounding resurrection. 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:07.680 If you're here today and you're exploring Christianity, 00:03:07.879 --> 00:03:13.659 I want to say this is a wonderful time to have a front row seat into what Christianity is all about. 00:03:13.939 --> 00:03:18.680 If you've ever wondered why Christians see this as the turning point in history 00:03:18.680 --> 00:03:20.579 and the center point of humanity, 00:03:20.580 --> 00:03:27.580 if you've ever wondered how in the world can the life and the death of someone in the first century 00:03:27.580 --> 00:03:31.160 have an impact on me here in the 21st century, 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:34.700 my life, my condition, my destiny, 00:03:35.140 --> 00:03:36.400 this is a great time. 00:03:36.480 --> 00:03:41.820 There's no better time, really, to get involved and to come and ask these questions. 00:03:42.760 --> 00:03:48.340 If you're a Christian, perhaps you've experienced many, many Holy Weeks through the years. 00:03:48.340 --> 00:03:54.939 You know Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday like they're old friends. 00:03:56.020 --> 00:04:01.400 And my prayer and hope for you this week is that you would be surprised by God, 00:04:01.920 --> 00:04:08.000 that his Son and his Spirit would meet you in some fresh and powerful ways. 00:04:09.140 --> 00:04:15.020 The Gospels have been described as passion narratives with long introductions. 00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:22.460 And that's because all four Gospels really spend the latter half of their narratives 00:04:22.460 --> 00:04:27.460 talking about the suffering of Jesus from four different angles, four different perspectives. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:32.819 That is that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, they give us a total of 30 chapters 00:04:32.819 --> 00:04:37.939 on this final week of Jesus' life leading up to his death on the cross. 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:43.680 And so I imagine that even for those of us who are deeply familiar with these events, 00:04:44.459 --> 00:04:46.759 that somewhere in those 30 chapters, 00:04:47.279 --> 00:04:51.060 you might encounter something that you haven't encountered before. 00:04:51.160 --> 00:04:56.639 You might integrate this week something into your faith and life that you haven't integrated before. 00:04:56.740 --> 00:05:00.600 And that's my prayer, that the Lord would reveal more of himself to you, 00:05:00.680 --> 00:05:03.120 more of his presence and more of his power. 00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:05.600 So here's Palm Sunday. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:08.759 It's recorded for us in all four Gospels. 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:14.019 What does it mean and why does it matter for us and for our lives? 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:19.160 I think this narrative before us in Matthew 21 tells us that 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:25.220 Jesus is the King who rides a donkey and transforms the temple. 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:30.540 Jesus is the King who rides a donkey and transforms the temple. 00:05:30.540 --> 00:05:35.640 I want to focus for a minute on this theme of Jesus as the King. 00:05:36.340 --> 00:05:39.240 A lot of us, we assume that on Palm Sunday, 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:43.500 he kind of just stumbles into Jerusalem and sees the reaction of the crowd. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:44.700 And he says, oh, shucks. 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:47.400 Okay, I guess, I guess. 00:05:47.620 --> 00:05:48.840 You know, I'll go along with this. 00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:53.879 But really, Jesus is this reflective theologian and a strategic revolutionary 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:58.379 who's given a great deal of thought and energy to what he's going to do 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:03.139 and what he's going to say to intentionally bring his story to a climax 00:06:03.139 --> 00:06:07.800 and to bring his public vocation to its proper conclusion. 00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:12.159 And so what we have here is premeditated symbolic action. 00:06:13.300 --> 00:06:16.560 Jesus is making all these decisive, calculated arrangements 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:22.000 to enter into the holy city on this particular Passover feast. 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:27.920 In verses 2 to 3, he's giving detailed directions to his advance team. 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:31.759 And he says, this is how I want you to set up the staged campaign. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:36.540 And in many ways, Jesus is recreating an enthronement scene. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:40.699 In the ancient Near East, a king would go out to battle. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:42.219 They would defeat their enemies. 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:44.879 And then they would return in victory. 00:06:45.039 --> 00:06:48.920 And they'd be welcomed back into their capital city with great celebration. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:50.599 And Jesus says, that's what we're doing. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:57.500 For one mile, for 30 minutes, there's going to be this red carpet event, 00:06:57.599 --> 00:07:01.620 this ticker tape parade where people are going to welcome their king 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:04.560 in this royal reception and procession. 00:07:05.579 --> 00:07:09.719 Now, how do the crowds and how do the disciples respond to this? 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:12.180 Well, it says in verse 8, 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:16.260 that a very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road 00:07:16.260 --> 00:07:20.320 while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:23.820 Now, you can imagine a person visiting our city 00:07:23.820 --> 00:07:28.480 and you see a crowd of people taking off their very nice and very expensive jackets 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:32.720 to lay them down in the dirt for people and animals to walk on. 00:07:32.760 --> 00:07:33.960 And what do you conclude? 00:07:34.580 --> 00:07:36.920 You conclude this must be a very important person, 00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:40.580 a person that's worthy of great respect and great honor. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:44.560 You also conclude this is a great time to be in the dry cleaning business 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:48.080 because that's a lot of dirty jackets on the ground. 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:50.540 And what about these branches? 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:53.860 The Gospel of John tells us that these are palm branches. 00:07:53.860 --> 00:07:56.400 And every Jew would know the meaning of this 00:07:56.400 --> 00:08:00.680 because 200 years before this time, there had been a Jewish rebellion. 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:04.160 The Greek Empire had been oppressing the Jews, 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:09.139 had outlawed their practices of Sabbath and Scripture 00:08:09.139 --> 00:08:11.379 and the sacrament of circumcision. 00:08:11.580 --> 00:08:14.780 They went and set up pagan idols in all the Jewish towns. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:18.420 They even set up pagan idols in the temple in Jerusalem itself. 00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:21.720 And there was this one family, the Maccabean family. 00:08:21.840 --> 00:08:24.780 They led a rebellion that was successful 00:08:24.780 --> 00:08:29.660 and enabled Israel to practice their faith freely again. 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:33.100 And that's what's celebrated in the festival of Hanukkah. 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:37.539 But after that great rebellion, 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:41.360 this family made a crest and the nation minted new coins. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:43.379 And you know what was on that crest and on those coins? 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:45.360 Palm branches. 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:49.279 Palm branches became the symbol of the nation. 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:51.980 It became a symbol of resistance and revolt. 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:55.120 It became a symbol of liberation and freedom. 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:58.100 And so they're laying down their coats, 00:08:58.200 --> 00:09:00.800 but they're also laying down their palms before Jesus. 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:04.560 And what else does it say that the crowds give to him? 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:08.440 It says in verse 9 that the crowds went ahead of him 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:11.180 and those followed behind him and they shouted. 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:12.899 They shouted. 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:16.000 Now, why are they shouting so loudly? 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:19.299 Well, if you go back and you skim the Gospel of Matthew, 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:24.319 you can read all about these great deeds of supernatural power 00:09:24.319 --> 00:09:26.679 that Jesus performed over Satan, 00:09:27.579 --> 00:09:28.379 over the demons, 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:32.620 over disease and seizures and paralysis, 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:35.039 where he healed people who were crippled 00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:37.120 and he healed people who were blind. 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:39.759 And he fed 5,000 people 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:41.840 and he calmed the storm 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:43.340 and he raised the dead. 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:46.120 And most outrageously of all, 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:47.100 he said to people, 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:48.700 your sins are forgiven. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:51.940 Jesus is exercising the power 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:53.299 and the authority of God 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:54.100 over sickness 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:55.560 and over nature 00:09:55.560 --> 00:09:56.320 and over death 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:58.200 and even over our greatest problem. 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:02.600 Sin is selfishly ignoring our Creator God 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:03.240 and Jesus says, 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:04.100 that's okay, 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:05.539 I can deal with that too. 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:08.599 And that's why these people say, 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:10.699 this isn't just one king 00:10:10.699 --> 00:10:11.959 in a long line of kings. 00:10:12.699 --> 00:10:13.879 This is the king. 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:16.759 This is God's only chosen king. 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:19.319 And so they're shouting at the top of their voices 00:10:19.319 --> 00:10:20.339 and what are they saying? 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:20.779 They're saying, 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:23.120 Hosanna to the Son of David. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:24.279 Blessed is he 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:26.379 who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:28.699 Hosanna in the highest heaven. 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:29.700 Hosanna in the highest heaven. 00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:30.560 This is Passover. 00:10:30.920 --> 00:10:32.759 And so this is one of their Passover hymns, 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:33.700 Psalm 118. 00:10:34.540 --> 00:10:35.540 And it basically means, 00:10:36.020 --> 00:10:37.879 long live God's king. 00:10:39.040 --> 00:10:41.140 Because all through Moses and the prophets, 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:42.280 all through the Old Testament, 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:42.680 they were, 00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:44.900 Israel was looking for a king 00:10:44.900 --> 00:10:46.160 in the line of David 00:10:46.160 --> 00:10:47.259 who would come 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.700 and put everything right. 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:52.100 This is a victory chant 00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:53.920 of Israel's hope 00:10:53.920 --> 00:10:55.940 that God will help us, 00:10:56.020 --> 00:10:58.200 that God will save us. 00:10:58.200 --> 00:10:59.320 That's what Hosanna means. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:01.060 God, save us. 00:11:01.960 --> 00:11:03.660 Come and defeat our foes. 00:11:03.800 --> 00:11:06.640 Come and bring deliverance to your people. 00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:09.379 Come and establish your kingdom of peace 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:11.160 in its fullest measure. 00:11:13.220 --> 00:11:16.080 Now, I believe that hope for a king 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:17.440 is not just a Jewish hope, 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:19.759 but it's a deeply human hope. 00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:21.220 And of course, 00:11:21.400 --> 00:11:22.600 there's a bit of a problem 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:24.300 because we're Americans 00:11:24.300 --> 00:11:27.240 and we don't suffer our sovereigns lightly, 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:27.759 do we? 00:11:28.520 --> 00:11:30.040 We like to be our own masters 00:11:30.040 --> 00:11:32.140 and the authorities of our own lives 00:11:32.140 --> 00:11:34.040 and in charge of our own selves, right? 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:36.120 You look at the flag 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:37.420 of the Commonwealth of Virginia 00:11:37.420 --> 00:11:38.220 and what does it say? 00:11:38.300 --> 00:11:38.720 It says, 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.700 Sic semper tyrannis, 00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:43.100 thus always to tyrants, 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:45.020 where it has Lady Liberty 00:11:45.020 --> 00:11:45.940 or Lady Justice, 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:46.759 I'm not sure which. 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:49.539 She has her foot on the chest of a king 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:51.279 who's lying on the ground 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:54.100 and his crown is toppled off of his head. 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:55.620 Thus always to tyrants 00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:57.259 is what we Americans say. 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:58.819 This is how we like our government, 00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:00.039 of the people, 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:00.779 by the people, 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:02.659 and for the people. 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:04.279 And yet, 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.799 there's a tension there for us 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:07.980 because even though we're Americans, 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:09.039 most of our literature 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:10.120 and most of our movies 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:11.980 abounds with kings and queens 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:13.799 and royal figures 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:15.480 and messianic heroes. 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:16.700 Why is that? 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:18.039 Why are we so fascinated 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:19.700 by royal weddings? 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:21.899 I know some of you are. 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.980 Royal babies, 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.539 royal coronations. 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:26.600 Why is that? 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:26.840 Well, 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:30.540 C.S. Lewis wrote an essay in 1943 00:12:30.540 --> 00:12:31.360 and he says this. 00:12:31.420 --> 00:12:31.759 He says, 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:34.279 We Britons should rejoice 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.899 that we have contrived 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:38.700 to reach a much legal democracy 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:41.060 without losing our ceremonial monarchy. 00:12:42.180 --> 00:12:43.759 A man's reaction to monarchy 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:44.980 is a kind of test. 00:12:46.040 --> 00:12:48.000 Monarchy can be easily debunked, 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:49.019 but watch the faces. 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:51.080 Mark the accents of the debunkers. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:52.840 These are the men 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:54.279 whose taproot in Eden 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:55.560 has been cut. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.440 Whom no rumor 00:12:57.440 --> 00:12:58.360 of the polyphony, 00:12:58.560 --> 00:12:59.620 the dance can reach. 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:01.379 Men to whom pebbles 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:02.360 laid in a row 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.180 are more beautiful 00:13:03.180 --> 00:13:04.519 than an arch. 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:04.740 Now, 00:13:05.180 --> 00:13:06.560 that's an Oxford professor's way 00:13:06.560 --> 00:13:08.500 of insulting me, 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:09.120 right? 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.480 And people like me. 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.800 But here's what he says. 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:13.240 He says, 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.560 Yet even if they desire equality, 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:16.779 they cannot reach it. 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.440 Where men 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:19.960 are forbidden 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:21.200 to honor a king, 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:23.540 they honor millionaires, 00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:24.560 athletes, 00:13:24.700 --> 00:13:25.860 or film stars instead. 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.759 Even famous prostitutes 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.639 or gangsters. 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:30.659 For spiritual nature, 00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:31.919 like bodily nature, 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:33.480 will be served, 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:34.980 deny it food, 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:37.659 and it will gobble poison. 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:39.200 See, 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.200 Lewis is telling us 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:42.220 that in our heart of hearts, 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:45.360 we long to honor a king. 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:47.879 And you can tell yourself 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:48.879 you don't need a king, 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:50.100 but your spiritual nature 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:51.419 says otherwise. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.300 We're starving 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:55.159 to crown someone 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:56.960 who has the authority 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.159 to give us identity 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:59.440 and belonging 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.200 and meaning 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:00.779 and purpose 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:01.659 and significance 00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:02.560 and value. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.580 We're longing to say 00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:04.300 to someone 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:05.519 who's much greater 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.180 than ourselves, 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:06.980 much higher 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.919 than ourselves, 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:09.019 please tell me 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.779 that I matter. 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.759 Please give me 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:12.519 a peace 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.639 that I cannot achieve 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:14.159 on my own. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:14.819 Please give me 00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:15.460 a glory 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:16.360 that's greater 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.899 than what I've got. 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:18.139 Now, 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:20.000 why do we do that 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:20.939 as human beings 00:14:20.939 --> 00:14:21.679 psychologically 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:23.080 and culturally? 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:24.879 Well, 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:25.659 before the breaking 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:26.600 of our world, 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.340 the human race 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.220 stood in the presence 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:30.159 of the true king 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:32.539 in absolute glory 00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.379 and splendor, 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:34.460 a king of justice 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:35.259 and power 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:35.840 and wisdom, 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:37.879 a king of great compassion 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.580 and nobility 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:39.759 and beauty 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.540 who was shining 00:14:40.540 --> 00:14:41.360 like the sun 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:43.280 and yet evil 00:14:43.280 --> 00:14:44.240 entered our world 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.580 and we became 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.400 our own masters 00:14:46.400 --> 00:14:47.160 and we lost 00:14:47.160 --> 00:14:47.800 that king 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:50.040 and yet we did gain 00:14:50.040 --> 00:14:50.700 this promise 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:52.080 in Genesis 3.15 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.520 that said 00:14:52.520 --> 00:14:53.340 this great one 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:54.240 is going to come 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.320 and he's going to 00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:56.320 trample on evil 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:58.320 and even though 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.860 he will be wounded 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:01.220 and he'll suffer terribly, 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:03.060 he will triumph, 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:03.920 right? 00:15:04.020 --> 00:15:05.500 And the whole Bible 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.420 from that point on 00:15:06.420 --> 00:15:07.280 is just rustling 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:08.179 with this whisper 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:09.500 and this rumor 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.819 of a king 00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:12.339 who's going to come 00:15:12.339 --> 00:15:14.899 so that on Palm Sunday 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:17.159 when Jesus comes in 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:17.839 and people begin 00:15:17.839 --> 00:15:18.699 to treat him 00:15:18.699 --> 00:15:20.100 as a king, 00:15:20.199 --> 00:15:21.279 he does not blush, 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.259 he smiles. 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.559 Jesus receives 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.339 their praises 00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:27.279 and he embraces 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:28.000 their hopes 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.860 and he affirms 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.279 all of their desires 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:30.799 and he says, 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:31.399 yes indeed, 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.319 I have come 00:15:32.319 --> 00:15:33.339 in the name 00:15:33.339 --> 00:15:34.199 of the Lord. 00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:35.459 I do intend 00:15:35.459 --> 00:15:36.939 to be your king, 00:15:36.940 --> 00:15:37.920 I do hear 00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:38.720 your cries 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:39.420 of Hosanna 00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:40.660 and I do intend 00:15:40.660 --> 00:15:41.960 to save you. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:43.820 Now those are 00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:44.460 incredible, 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:45.500 audacious, 00:15:45.800 --> 00:15:46.140 implicit, 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:48.560 really immodest 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:49.080 claims 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.640 that Jesus 00:15:49.640 --> 00:15:50.200 is making 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:51.480 on Palm Sunday 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:53.260 and I believe 00:15:53.260 --> 00:15:54.420 his dramatic entry 00:15:54.420 --> 00:15:55.740 into the capital city 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:57.020 is a throwing down 00:15:57.020 --> 00:15:57.840 of the gauntlet. 00:15:58.820 --> 00:15:59.600 It's Jesus saying, 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.320 crown me 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:01.520 or kill me. 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:03.439 I'm either 00:16:03.439 --> 00:16:04.100 of ultimate 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.659 importance 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:05.379 or of no 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.019 importance 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:06.500 whatsoever 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.100 but the one 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:07.819 thing I cannot 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:08.980 be is of 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:10.279 marginal importance 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.199 to any of you. 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.220 Jesus is saying, 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.259 I've not come 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:16.500 to be admired, 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:17.879 no, 00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:18.799 I've come to force 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.899 my identity 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.480 upon you. 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.279 I've come 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:23.159 to be a supreme 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:25.019 and absolute monarch 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:26.559 who's to be worshipped 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:27.740 and to be obeyed. 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:30.080 And so if you're 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:30.560 here today 00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:31.440 and you're exploring 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:32.159 Christianity, 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:35.820 I want to ask you 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:37.460 as you hear 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.279 about these mass 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:38.720 shootings, 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:40.560 you know, 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.259 as you take in 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:41.879 the news 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.680 about these 00:16:42.680 --> 00:16:43.560 school shootings 00:16:43.560 --> 00:16:44.299 with these 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:45.019 small children 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:45.899 and their teachers, 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:47.720 isn't there 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.899 something inside 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.320 of you 00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:50.919 that's crying 00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:52.180 out and longing 00:16:52.180 --> 00:16:53.600 for evil 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.419 to be trampled 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:54.840 upon 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.919 and to be triumphed 00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:56.180 over? 00:16:56.179 --> 00:16:58.319 And my question 00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:58.959 to you is, 00:16:59.079 --> 00:16:59.839 if that longing 00:16:59.839 --> 00:17:00.819 is in your heart, 00:17:01.339 --> 00:17:02.500 how in the world 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:02.959 is that going 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:03.359 to happen? 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.319 How will that 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:06.359 possibly happen 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.259 within the reigning 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.940 plausibility structures 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.779 and paradigms 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.599 of modernity 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:12.119 and post-modernity? 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.460 Who will make 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:13.899 it happen? 00:17:14.899 --> 00:17:15.720 Who will usher 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.659 in a new age? 00:17:17.919 --> 00:17:19.279 And if you can't 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.399 come up with anyone 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:22.359 to fill in that blank, 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.279 I want to ask you, 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.519 might it be 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:26.200 that Jesus 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.440 really is the king 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:29.299 who's come to undo 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.379 all the powers 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:30.859 of evil 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:31.879 and Jesus is the king 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:32.639 who's come to 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:34.440 ultimately eradicate 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:36.139 the presence of evil 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:37.400 in this world? 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.460 Your heart is crying 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.299 out for that. 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.079 If you're a Christian, 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.980 you've come to see 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:47.059 that Jesus is 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.259 your supreme 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.460 and absolute monarch, 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:50.279 but the question 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.059 for you today is, 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.859 how are you going 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:53.440 to roll out 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.140 the red carpet 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:55.799 for your king 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.360 this week 00:17:56.360 --> 00:17:57.680 and in this next season? 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.620 How will you put 00:17:58.620 --> 00:17:59.700 your donkey 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:01.000 at his service, 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.440 as it were? 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.019 How will you put 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.900 all of your possessions 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:04.039 at his disposal 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.660 for him to use 00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:07.080 as he sees fit? 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:09.460 How will we spread 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.460 out our cloaks 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:12.259 for him to walk upon 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.700 and give him 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:14.080 our highest 00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:14.920 and our best 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.160 to honor him 00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:16.720 this week? 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:18.759 How will we wave 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.259 our palm branches 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:20.799 and give him 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.120 public allegiance 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:23.139 and let the world 00:18:23.139 --> 00:18:23.899 know that all 00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:24.559 of our hopes 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.179 for freedom 00:18:25.179 --> 00:18:25.859 and liberation 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:26.819 are found in him 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:28.039 and him alone? 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:30.619 How will we sing 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.479 these psalms 00:18:31.479 --> 00:18:32.099 and hymns 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:33.319 and songs of the Spirit 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.379 giving him 00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:35.479 the passionate worship 00:18:35.479 --> 00:18:37.319 that he deserves? 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.299 I want to encourage 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.039 you this week, 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:41.159 if you do see Jesus 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:41.819 as your king, 00:18:41.959 --> 00:18:43.719 to wake up every morning 00:18:43.719 --> 00:18:44.799 praying this prayer, 00:18:45.139 --> 00:18:45.919 blessed are you. 00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:47.519 Blessed are you 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.200 who's come 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.859 in the name 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.799 of the Lord. 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.379 Hosanna. 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.519 Save us. 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.839 Lord, save us. 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:57.160 Friends, Jesus is the king. 00:18:58.440 --> 00:19:00.420 But Jesus is not just any king. 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.059 He's the king 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.980 who rides a donkey. 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.160 Jesus is the king 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:06.139 who rides a donkey. 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.220 Now, many of us, 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:10.900 this idea, 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:11.779 this notion 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:13.160 of living under a sovereign 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:14.660 is perhaps threatening. 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:16.560 I mean, I'm like you. 00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.680 I want to be in control. 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.900 I don't want to submit 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:21.259 my will and my desires 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.420 to the will and desires 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:23.460 of another. 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:25.040 And I've read enough 00:19:25.040 --> 00:19:25.920 history like you 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:27.180 to know that history 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:28.080 is full of kings 00:19:28.080 --> 00:19:28.700 and queens 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.040 that are marked 00:19:30.040 --> 00:19:31.420 by overweening pride 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:32.779 and oppressive power. 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.740 Kings who rule 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:36.440 not to enhance human life 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.340 but to diminish 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:38.620 human life. 00:19:39.300 --> 00:19:40.340 But I want to suggest 00:19:40.340 --> 00:19:40.860 to you today 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:42.019 that Jesus is different. 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.180 I want you to notice 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:45.519 his chosen means 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.720 of transportation. 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:48.960 It's not a war horse. 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.680 It's a donkey. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.080 And in the first century 00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:54.820 and in our century, 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.680 everybody looks at that 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:55.940 and goes, 00:19:56.100 --> 00:19:56.360 what? 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:58.320 Jesus, 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:00.060 what are you thinking? 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:02.440 This is your moment 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.420 to make history. 00:20:04.560 --> 00:20:05.640 This is your moment 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:07.980 to be like Alexander the Great 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.100 and Caesar Augustus. 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.060 This is your moment 00:20:10.060 --> 00:20:12.000 to have your name up there 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.059 with Attila the Hun 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:14.740 and Charlemagne 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.980 and William the Conqueror 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:17.019 and Genghis Khan 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.680 and Napoleon. 00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:18.359 Jesus, 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.380 don't you realize 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.619 that right now 00:20:20.619 --> 00:20:21.259 is your moment. 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:22.619 You can either triumph 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.279 and deliver 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:25.400 or you can be trampled upon 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.299 and demolished. 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:27.599 But this is the moment. 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:30.059 This is a do or die situation. 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.779 So Jesus, 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.799 let us come around you 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.740 with all of our wisdom 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:35.940 and be your PR consultants 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.519 for a moment. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:38.519 Let us be your marketing team. 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:40.299 If we're going to give you a brand, 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.680 if we're going to give you a logo, 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:43.039 if we're going to give you a message, 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:45.559 we really want to encourage you, 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:45.920 Jesus, 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.839 to come up with something 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:50.960 that exudes power and pride. 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:54.339 And what does Jesus do? 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:55.240 How does he respond 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.359 to this great advice 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:57.400 that we have to give him? 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:01.579 He chooses a little baby donkey. 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.900 And he says, 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.700 I don't need the mighty steed 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.920 of a triumphant king. 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.980 I want this donkey. 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:10.799 And Jesus, 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:11.559 when he says that, 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:12.660 he's making a statement 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.960 about the kind of king 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.860 he would be 00:21:14.860 --> 00:21:16.900 because he's a serious student 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.480 of the Bible. 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:20.559 His main purpose and aim 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.519 is to bring his life 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.559 under the authority 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.019 of the Bible 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.039 and to live in alignment 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.920 with the power 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:26.259 of God's word. 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:28.400 And he knows, 00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:29.360 since he's been 00:21:29.360 --> 00:21:30.940 a small child, 00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:32.019 he's memorized 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:33.380 the prophecies of the Bible 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:34.000 like this one 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.660 in Genesis 49. 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.299 It says, 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:38.140 the scepter of the king 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:40.660 will not depart from Judah 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.940 nor the ruler's staff 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.099 from between his feet 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:46.019 until he to whom it belongs 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:46.660 shall come 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.500 and the obedience 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.220 of the nation 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.200 shall be his. 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:51.440 He will tether his donkey 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.700 to a vine, 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.019 his colt 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:55.519 to the choicest branch. 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.819 Jesus also probably 00:21:58.819 --> 00:22:00.099 memorized these words 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:01.259 that are in our text today, 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:02.599 Zechariah chapter 9. 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:04.659 which says, 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.579 Rejoice greatly, 00:22:05.719 --> 00:22:06.319 daughter Zion. 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:06.879 Shout, 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.199 daughter Jerusalem. 00:22:08.419 --> 00:22:08.740 See, 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:10.539 your king comes to you 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:12.079 righteous and victorious, 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.519 lowly 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.179 and riding on a donkey, 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.980 on a colt, 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.159 the foal of a donkey. 00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:19.480 And then the next verse 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.659 that's not printed for us, 00:22:20.699 --> 00:22:21.199 it says this. 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.519 It says, 00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.480 I will take away 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.480 the chariots 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.740 from Ephraim, 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.679 the war horses 00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:26.659 from Jerusalem. 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.719 The battle bow 00:22:27.719 --> 00:22:28.939 will be broken. 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.959 He will proclaim peace 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.680 to the nations. 00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:33.500 His rule will extend 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.660 from sea to sea 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.480 and from the river 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.740 to the ends 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.920 of the earth. 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.559 Jesus says, 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.319 my brand, 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.220 my logo, 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.600 my message 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:47.799 is definitively 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.940 not the chariot 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:50.840 and not the war horse 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:52.100 and not the battle bow. 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.819 And Jesus has so arranged 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.480 this moment 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.960 to deliberately fulfill 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:58.380 these prophecies. 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:58.740 He says, 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.539 don't get me wrong, 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.940 I have come to rule 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.940 and to reign 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.599 as your king, 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.400 but I've not come 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.039 to rule 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:05.200 in any of the ways 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.400 you're used to ruling. 00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:08.559 He says, 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.319 I've not come 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:10.960 in the shining armor 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.779 of a war horse. 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.819 He says, 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.700 I've come to make 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:16.940 donkeys great again. 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:21.539 This is a king 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:23.779 who's going to ride Eeyore. 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.400 He's riding this beast 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.540 that's fit for a child, 00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:29.540 that's fit for a hobbit. 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.800 A beast of such 00:23:31.800 --> 00:23:34.140 extraordinary humility. 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.420 Now, 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.980 I want us to think 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.480 for a second. 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:40.420 Why do we resist 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:41.640 submitting to a sovereign? 00:23:43.040 --> 00:23:43.300 Well, 00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:43.820 we resist 00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:44.740 because a sovereign 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.500 by nature 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.180 demands 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:47.640 total surrender, 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:50.080 an exclusive allegiance, 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.980 an absolute obedience. 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:52.740 And Jesus says, 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.180 I have, 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:53.780 in fact, 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:54.600 come to demand 00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:55.519 those things of you, 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.420 but I'm unlike 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:57.960 any king 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:59.079 the world has ever seen. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.639 Again, 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.339 if you go back 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.279 and read the Gospels, 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:03.220 you see Jesus 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.240 time and time again. 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:04.799 First of all, 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.900 he resists 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:07.039 the offer of the devil 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:08.879 to rule over 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.379 the kingdoms 00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:10.119 of this world 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:11.740 through illicit means. 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.180 And then, 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.119 having resisted 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:14.700 that offer, 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.440 he goes out 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.200 and he preaches 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.259 the Sermon on the Mount 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.039 where he says, 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.339 love your enemies, 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.160 do good to those 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:21.680 who hate you, 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.559 pray for those 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.599 who persecute you, 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.359 and blessed 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.319 are the peacemakers 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.379 for they will be called 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:27.659 the children of God. 00:24:28.699 --> 00:24:29.559 At one point, 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.500 they tried to come 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:32.139 and make Jesus king 00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:32.779 by force, 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.659 but he resisted 00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.259 that as well 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.659 and he withdrew himself 00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:36.939 into the wilderness. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.939 And we'll see 00:24:38.939 --> 00:24:39.719 later this week 00:24:39.719 --> 00:24:40.719 when he's on trial 00:24:40.719 --> 00:24:42.500 before the Roman Empire, 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:43.399 on trial under 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:44.559 Pontius Pilate, 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.480 he tells Pilate, 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:45.819 he says, 00:24:45.939 --> 00:24:46.759 if my kingdom 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:48.539 were of this world, 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.599 my people would fight 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.079 for me. 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:52.319 But as it is, 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.439 my kingdom 00:24:53.439 --> 00:24:54.960 is from another place 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.419 and therefore, 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.339 it's altogether 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:57.240 different 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.980 from your kingdom. 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.099 Friends, 00:25:01.199 --> 00:25:01.980 Jesus rides 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:03.279 in humble 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:05.000 and meek 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.099 and gentle 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:07.500 and lowly 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.019 on a donkey 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.859 to tell us, 00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:10.359 I'm a king 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.259 that you can trust. 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.819 My power 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.619 is the power 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.519 of my lowliness. 00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:16.199 My power 00:25:16.199 --> 00:25:16.919 is the power 00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:18.419 of giving up 00:25:18.419 --> 00:25:19.159 my power. 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.699 Friedrich Nietzsche 00:25:21.699 --> 00:25:23.139 philosophized 00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:24.720 in the 19th century, 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:26.119 he philosophized 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.759 about the will 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.240 to power. 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:27.579 He said, 00:25:27.679 --> 00:25:28.379 modernity 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:30.139 should be marked 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:31.939 by dominating, 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:33.039 an ethic 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.259 of dominating power. 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:35.960 And then 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.899 in Nietzsche's wake 00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:38.119 came another philosopher, 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:39.599 his successor, 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.539 Michel Foucault 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.460 in the 20th century 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.039 and he said, 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.960 we should unmask 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.599 all of these 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.679 power relations, 00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:46.659 these pervasive, 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.319 internalized, 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.699 structured powers 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.460 of modernity 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.539 need to be 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.080 subverted 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:53.840 into a post-modernity 00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:54.799 if any of us 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.840 are going to survive. 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.660 And of course, 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.640 the world we're living in 00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.539 in the 21st century 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.860 is some strange brew, 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:03.180 some powerful cocktail 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:04.039 between Nietzsche 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.180 and Foucault, 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.779 is it not? 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.360 But what if the world 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:09.580 needs not 00:26:09.580 --> 00:26:11.600 the uber power 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.519 of Nietzsche 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:14.920 or the deconstructed 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.420 power 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.860 of Foucault? 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:16.919 No. 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.859 But what if the world 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.959 needs a different kind 00:26:19.959 --> 00:26:21.079 of power altogether? 00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:23.899 The power of a sovereign 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:25.779 who comes not to take life 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.639 but to give life. 00:26:27.679 --> 00:26:29.059 The power of a sovereign 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.719 who comes not bearing arms 00:26:30.719 --> 00:26:32.579 but comes to disarm us all. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.979 This donkey king 00:26:34.979 --> 00:26:36.099 comes to us 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:36.799 not saying 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:38.199 surrender or else. 00:26:39.199 --> 00:26:39.659 No, 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:41.000 he comes with no horse, 00:26:41.219 --> 00:26:41.939 no sword, 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.779 no army. 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.859 He does not use 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:45.379 any brute force 00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:46.139 to seize 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:46.960 and coerce 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.740 and demolish 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.359 and pillage 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:49.200 and enslave 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:50.180 and oppress. 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.379 He comes vulnerable 00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:55.339 and defenseless 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.000 on a donkey. 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:57.859 And he says, 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:59.039 I've come to serve you 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:00.220 as a gentle 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.759 and a lowly 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.680 prince of peace. 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:05.680 I've come not to threaten you 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:06.440 and to surrender. 00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:06.960 I've come, 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:07.440 in fact, 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:09.099 to surrender myself 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:10.519 and my life 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.079 to you. 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:13.460 And we're going to see that 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.279 this next week 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.500 as we go through the events 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:17.099 of Holy Week. 00:27:17.199 --> 00:27:17.960 Jesus washing 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:19.460 the feet of his disciples. 00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:20.299 Jesus giving 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.539 the poured out 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.399 wine 00:27:22.399 --> 00:27:24.199 and the broken bread. 00:27:25.179 --> 00:27:26.119 And Jesus literally 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:26.679 doing that 00:27:26.679 --> 00:27:27.559 on the cross. 00:27:27.679 --> 00:27:29.079 Taking our judgment 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:30.079 upon himself. 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:31.359 God's just judgment 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.919 for our sins. 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.500 And again, 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.199 if you're exploring 00:27:35.199 --> 00:27:35.759 Christianity, 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.059 is there any other 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:38.279 power like this? 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:41.240 Is this not utterly 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.740 unique in all the world, 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:44.000 all the philosophies 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.500 of this world, 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:45.240 all the religions, 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:46.420 all the life systems 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.480 of this world? 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.819 Is there any other 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.680 kind of power 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.599 like this? 00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:53.180 And even more 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:53.700 to the point, 00:27:53.859 --> 00:27:54.839 what are you afraid 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:56.220 is going to happen 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.700 to you 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:58.799 if you submit yourself 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.960 to this donkey king? 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.680 He's not going 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.339 to oppress you. 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.759 He's going to liberate you 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.720 and humanize you. 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:08.460 He's not going 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.519 to disempower you. 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:11.000 He's going to empower you 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:12.700 with this sacrificial love. 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.100 And so, 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:15.180 I want to implore you, 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:16.539 open the gates 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.120 of your city. 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.579 Open the doors 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.380 of your heart 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:21.519 to welcome this king 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.259 of lowliness, 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.559 this king of gentleness 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:25.620 to come and be your king 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:27.000 even this week. 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:30.240 Jesus is the king 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:32.600 and he rides 00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:33.240 on a donkey. 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:36.299 but he also comes 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.440 to transform the temple 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.299 and I just want to say 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.359 a final word 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:41.339 about this transformation 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:41.960 of the temple. 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.819 Jesus comes 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:44.440 and he comes over 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.200 the Mount of Olives. 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.480 He comes in full view 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.400 of Jerusalem 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:49.160 and its magnificent temple 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:49.940 at the center 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:51.620 which is not only 00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:52.380 the beating heart 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:52.799 of Israel, 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.839 it's the center 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:54.500 of the cosmos. 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.700 This is the place 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.579 where heaven and earth 00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.180 come together, 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.960 the house of 00:28:58.960 --> 00:29:00.400 I am who I am 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:01.079 where he dwells 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:01.880 among his people. 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:03.620 And it says 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:04.720 Jesus in verse 12, 00:29:04.820 --> 00:29:05.960 he entered into that place, 00:29:06.020 --> 00:29:07.200 he entered the temple courts 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:08.840 and he drove out 00:29:08.840 --> 00:29:09.760 all who were buying 00:29:09.760 --> 00:29:10.500 and selling there. 00:29:10.580 --> 00:29:11.700 He overturned the tables 00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.820 and the money changers 00:29:12.820 --> 00:29:14.340 and the benches 00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:15.560 of those selling doves. 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.100 Why in the world 00:29:18.100 --> 00:29:19.260 is Jesus relocating 00:29:19.260 --> 00:29:19.800 all the people 00:29:19.800 --> 00:29:20.580 and rearranging 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:21.880 all the furniture? 00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:24.660 Why is he disrupting 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.820 this sacrificial system? 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.620 Doesn't he know 00:29:26.620 --> 00:29:28.080 this is not how 00:29:28.080 --> 00:29:29.120 to win friends 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:30.080 and influence people? 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:32.539 Why in the world 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:33.019 is he making 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.919 such a ruckus 00:29:33.919 --> 00:29:35.139 in the temple 00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:36.059 of Almighty God? 00:29:37.419 --> 00:29:38.199 Well he says 00:29:38.199 --> 00:29:38.879 in verse 12, 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.399 he says, 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.199 verse 13, 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.559 he says, 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:41.159 it is written, 00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.579 my house will be called 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:45.139 a house of prayer 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:46.019 but you're making it 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:47.720 a den of robbers. 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:50.139 That's a provocative quote 00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:51.439 from the prophet Jeremiah 00:29:51.439 --> 00:29:53.960 where Jesus is begging 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.500 the question, 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:56.720 whose house is this? 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.319 And Jesus says, 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:58.220 well it's my house. 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:58.699 Wait, 00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.220 what do you mean? 00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.480 Jesus, 00:29:59.600 --> 00:30:00.160 God's house 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.680 or your house? 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.339 Yes, 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.160 Jesus says. 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.900 This is the place 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.539 where you're to come 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.079 in contact 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:07.319 with your creator God. 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:09.059 The place where 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:09.980 by his word 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.819 and by prayer 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:12.000 and by the sacrifices 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.640 of blood 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.460 you can have 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:14.079 a personal, 00:30:14.360 --> 00:30:15.579 intimate communion 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.900 and relationship 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:18.100 with God himself. 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.620 But Jesus is signaling 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:21.140 to us 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:21.660 that something 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:23.140 has gone deeply wrong 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:24.420 with this place 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.059 of sacrifice 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.860 and this place 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.839 of worship 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.899 and this is why 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:28.879 he's come 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:29.759 to enter Jerusalem. 00:30:29.939 --> 00:30:30.539 This is why 00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:31.199 he's marching 00:30:31.199 --> 00:30:32.399 to Good Friday 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:33.279 so that he 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.519 can become 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.339 the true temple. 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.839 So that he can become 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:38.879 the true priest 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:40.539 and the true sacrifice 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.720 and the true place 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.399 of communion 00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:44.579 between humanity 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.980 and God. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.819 He's come 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:49.439 so that people 00:30:49.439 --> 00:30:50.439 who are far away 00:30:50.439 --> 00:30:51.039 from this temple 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.079 can be brought near 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.740 to God 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:54.279 so that people 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:55.000 who are enemies 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.619 of this temple 00:30:55.619 --> 00:30:56.220 can be made 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:57.359 children of God 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:58.139 and that's why 00:30:58.139 --> 00:31:00.139 Jesus is not surprised 00:31:00.139 --> 00:31:00.779 at all 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:03.039 by this great turn 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.399 from Palm Sunday 00:31:04.399 --> 00:31:05.199 to Good Friday. 00:31:06.439 --> 00:31:07.379 He comes in 00:31:07.379 --> 00:31:07.879 as a king 00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:08.720 on Palm Sunday 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.500 but he leaves 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.220 as a criminal 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.519 on Good Friday. 00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:13.879 He comes on a donkey 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.659 but he leaves 00:31:14.659 --> 00:31:15.639 under a cross. 00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:17.899 He comes hailed 00:31:17.899 --> 00:31:18.559 with palms 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:19.379 but he leaves 00:31:19.379 --> 00:31:20.559 bearing a crown 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.299 yet it's a crown 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:21.960 of thorns. 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:24.259 He comes in 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.619 hearing hosannas 00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:26.339 but he leaves 00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.199 with this cry 00:31:27.199 --> 00:31:28.460 of crucify. 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:30.599 He comes in 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.679 bearing our praises 00:31:31.679 --> 00:31:32.599 and yet he leaves 00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:34.339 bearing our reproach. 00:31:34.419 --> 00:31:35.500 So why Jesus? 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.119 Why? 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:38.220 Why would you do that? 00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:39.259 Why would you 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:40.139 so deliberately 00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:41.799 and even joyfully 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:42.939 enter into 00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:44.199 all of this suffering? 00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:46.939 Well we'll learn 00:31:46.939 --> 00:31:48.159 and hear it 00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:48.939 at the end of this week 00:31:48.939 --> 00:31:50.419 from Matthew chapter 27 00:31:50.419 --> 00:31:51.159 verse 51. 00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:51.759 It says that 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:53.720 when Jesus Christ 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:55.599 our king 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.940 died on his cross 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:58.819 the veil 00:31:58.819 --> 00:31:59.519 in this great 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.559 magnificent temple 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:02.240 that separated 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:03.220 a holy God 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:05.099 from unholy humanity 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:06.339 would be torn in two 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.819 from top to bottom. 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.799 And that's a picture 00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.960 of the very hands 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.519 of God 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.200 rending 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:13.420 this separation 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.339 between us. 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:16.180 Of God saying 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:16.799 as it were 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:18.059 my innocent sons 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.980 once for all 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:19.599 sacrifice 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:20.319 of himself 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:22.360 on his cross 00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:24.220 is throwing down 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.220 the sin barriers 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.200 throwing down 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:27.319 this separation 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:28.259 so that the way 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:28.700 in 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.180 the way 00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:30.180 into my holy 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:30.759 presence 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:32.240 is opened up 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.319 for all people. 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:33.960 The whole 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:35.120 wide world 00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:37.140 can come back in 00:32:37.140 --> 00:32:37.900 and that's why 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:38.819 our king 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.380 came 00:32:39.380 --> 00:32:40.140 riding 00:32:40.140 --> 00:32:41.240 on a donkey 00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:42.240 to transform 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:43.720 this temple. 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:46.180 Jesus has come 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:47.759 to bring us 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.400 back to the 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:48.860 house 00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:50.220 of almighty 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:50.700 God. 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.819 Jesus has come 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:53.279 so that 00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:54.259 each of us 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.220 could be at home 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:56.200 again with our 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:56.900 heavenly father. 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:57.839 Jesus has come 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:59.400 so that we can 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.500 enjoy a relationship 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.740 with him 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.519 as dearly 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.140 loved 00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:03.799 and dependent 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:04.740 children. 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:06.720 Each of us 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.519 enjoying such a 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.759 personal and intimate 00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:10.360 communion with God 00:33:10.359 --> 00:33:11.399 that our church 00:33:11.399 --> 00:33:13.759 and our homes 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:15.559 and our very 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:16.139 hearts 00:33:16.139 --> 00:33:17.000 might be called 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:18.000 a house 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.799 of prayer 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:20.879 so that God 00:33:20.879 --> 00:33:22.079 can look upon us 00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:22.879 that God can look 00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:23.500 upon you 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.199 God can look 00:33:24.199 --> 00:33:24.879 upon me 00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:26.439 and he can say 00:33:26.439 --> 00:33:26.919 that's 00:33:26.919 --> 00:33:28.219 my house 00:33:28.219 --> 00:33:30.559 that's the place 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:31.959 where I delight 00:33:31.959 --> 00:33:32.459 to dwell 00:33:32.459 --> 00:33:33.500 among these people 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:35.399 and in this place 00:33:35.399 --> 00:33:35.839 this 00:33:35.839 --> 00:33:37.459 is my home 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:39.120 and this is where 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:39.779 God wants us 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.559 to be at home 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.680 with him. 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:44.140 May it be so 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.980 as we enter 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.460 into this 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:47.860 most holy of weeks 00:33:47.860 --> 00:33:49.240 in the name 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:49.680 of the Father, 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:49.920 Son, 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.640 and Holy Spirit. 00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:51.880 Amen.