Christ is our hope in life and death.
And that was the refrain that we sang right before this time of the word.
! We're going to look in the scriptures this morning and I would encourage you to turn there with me in John chapter 12.
John chapter 12.
If you're using the Pew Bible, it's on page 898.
We're going to see through the course of this passage kind of the outworking of that truth.
Jesus Christ, our hope in life and death.
What does that mean?
What does he offer to us?
Are those empty promises or is Jesus in fact the one who makes it all possible?
Well, Jesus will have made a statement right before our passage in John chapter 11
where he'll raise Lazarus from the dead and he will claim both to Martha and to Mary that I am the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is our hope for life and death.
And we celebrate that through the triumphal entry.
We celebrate that now in Palm Sunday.
But I imagine that as you think about Palm Sunday, and I'm thinking back to my childhood and Sunday school classes,
we were all given those palm branches, right?
That we would wave as kind of a celebration sign.
We're recognizing that Jesus is the king.
And so we wave those palm branches.
Just a fun way to remember this special Palm Sunday.
Well, Jesus did come into Jerusalem.
He did ride in on a donkey.
He was making a claim to kingship, that he was in fact the son of David.
But as we turn to our passage this morning in John chapter 12,
John gives us not just a glimpse of Jesus as king,
but we're going to see something unique about who Jesus is in the claim that he makes
and how it's attached with him being the resurrection and the life and why that matters this morning.
So the triumphal entry in John chapter 12,
and I'm trying to demonstrate this to us this morning as we look at our passage today.
John chapter 12 is more like a courtroom scene, as it were,
where the verdict has been given,
where the declaration of truth has finally been conveyed,
and the people who are standing there,
this entire nation that has gathered there because of Jesus and the Passover
that is going to be taking place during this week,
this final verdict is made that Jesus is the Messiah.
Why?
Well, as you think about courtroom trials,
I'm sure that all of us can maybe watch the shows
or maybe even have witnessed some courtroom trials in our own experience.
And you know that there are moments in the courtroom
where everyone has their own opinions,
where everyone has been listening to arguments.
They have their suspicions about what the truth is,
whether this individual is guilty or innocent.
There are theories, perhaps.
There are stories that you've heard.
There are truth claims that have been made.
But then there's that one moment, perhaps,
when the prosecution brings this one piece of evidence,
and it changes the scene of the entire courtroom.
The whispers stop.
The room kind of leans forward.
And the question is no longer,
well, what do you think?
The question is,
what are we going to do with this evidence
that's been given in front of us?
John chapter 12 is that scene.
John chapter 12 is that final definitive statement,
at least temporary statement,
of this nation that has finally come to terms
with a sign that Jesus has given.
And at least in this moment,
as Jesus is entering Jerusalem,
they are all declaring emphatically,
Jesus is the Messiah.
Jesus had taught and healed here.
His ministry had spanned three years of public ministry.
People have had their opinions.
People have given their feedback.
People have asked their questions.
People have seen and witnessed the miracles
and heard the statements that Jesus made.
But now, in John chapter 12,
Jesus has performed a sign that is unquestionable.
A sign that is undisputed.
The evidence is so convincing
and the verdict is so certain
that now an entire nation has come
to cast their vote, as it were.
In this moment, the whole nation has decided.
Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah,
as they will state.
In John chapter 12, we read this story
of a city that's forced to reckon
with all of the evidence
that has been placed in front of it.
And at least for now,
they have come to the conclusion,
yes, Jesus is the Messiah.
Well, what is that sign?
Well, we're going to look at that sign this morning.
That sign of Lazarus,
who had been raised from the dead.
It wasn't just something that was hearsay.
It wasn't something that was distant.
It was something that was known.
And the religious leaders who were now present
had seen it for themselves.
This risen man, Lazarus,
risen from the dead.
And there he was along with them in Bethany.
So we look at John chapter 12.
Turn there with me if you would.
And we're going to see that Jesus
is now in the spotlight.
Jesus is now the focus of attention.
And at each step along the way,
we need to understand that there is a response
that's necessary from us.
This first response is,
fix your attention on Jesus.
Fix your attention on Jesus.
That's what John wants us to do
as he begins this narrative.
In verse 12, he says,
Notice how John frames this.
He wants to draw attention to the crowd's response.
Notice this large crowd had come.
This large crowd took branches.
This large crowd went out to meet.
This large crowd cried,
Hosanna.
They are kind of the center of all the action
that's taking place in this narrative.
And what John is trying to help us understand
is there is a response that is required.
What will you do with all the evidence
that's been put in front of you?
And at least here in John chapter 12,
the crowd has gotten it right.
They're fixing their attention.
Their focus is on their Messiah.
We compare this with the other gospel records
and kind of draw out this theme for us
and help us appreciate what's taking place
uniquely in John.
In Matthew chapter 21, verse 1, it says this,
Now, when they drew near to Jerusalem
and came to Bethphage, the Mount of Olives,
then Jesus sent his two disciples.
Jesus is the main actor in this narrative.
Jesus is the one taking initiative.
Then in Mark chapter 11, much the same way.
Now, when they drew near to Jerusalem,
to Bethphage and Bethany,
at the Mount of Olives,
Jesus sent two of his disciples.
Then in Luke's account, Luke chapter 19, verses 28 and 29,
And when he had said these things,
he went on ahead going up to Jerusalem.
When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany,
at the Mount that is called Olivet,
he sent two of his disciples.
Immediately would recognize something is different
about John's account.
And this is an interpretive clue for us.
Those of us who want to be Bible students,
we need to pay attention to details
because the writer, John,
through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
is trying to tell us something.
What does he want us to know?
What point is he trying to make for us?
You see, maybe in the other synoptic gospels,
Matthew, Mark, and Luke,
we might get the impression
that a crowd is kind of caught up in the moment.
The crowd is kind of captured
by all the things that are unfolding in front of them.
But John's account helps us understand,
no, everything that is taking place here
is deliberate.
Everything that is happening here
is a response to information that they know.
It's planned.
It's methodic.
And then we begin to see the details of this account,
the details of the account in John
that differ from the details in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
And they're all true, by the way,
but what are the details that draws our attention to
that helps us understand the point
that he's trying to make?
In Matthew chapter 21,
there are 11 verses that describe this account,
this triumphal entry.
In Mark, there are 10 verses
that describe this triumphal entry.
In Luke, there are 17 verses.
He gives the most attention to this account
and wants to draw our attention
to the specific details
that mark Jesus out as the king
who's come to Jerusalem.
In these accounts,
and I have a graphic here for you,
there are two slides,
maybe too small to see,
but you still get the point.
The point is that Jesus is the one
who's selecting disciples.
15 different characteristics,
features that are true
of all of these gospel accounts,
but we're going to see
there's a difference
in the gospel of John.
Jesus selects two disciples.
These disciples are to go
into this village named Bethany.
They are to retrieve this donkey.
They are told how to find the donkey.
They're told what to say to the owner
when he questions them
about taking this donkey.
The multitudes have gathered.
They now have lain down their cloaks
and some pick up branches.
They cry,
Hosanna,
and then Jesus enters into Jerusalem
in a public way.
And then we turn to John.
And everything begins to change
as we read John's account.
The triumphal entry
in the gospel of John
comprises four verses
and four verses alone.
There's no mention of Bethphage.
There's no instructions to disciples.
There's no retrieving of the cult.
There's no statement
of Christ's authority.
There's no cloaks.
There's no mention
of Jesus actually making his way
into the city of Jerusalem.
Just the crowds and palm branches
crying out Hosanna
and Jesus is seated on a donkey.
Why?
The truncated account.
What is John trying to do
for the listeners
who are hearing this story?
What is the point
of all of these things?
What are the things
that we need to derive
and understand personally
as we look into this account ourselves?
That becomes clearer
when we begin to see
kind of the broader context
of what's taking place.
And I want to just draw
our attention to this briefly.
Notice that what just happens
just before this account
of the triumphal entry
in verses 9 and 10.
Notice the repetition.
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.
So the chief priests
made plans
to put Lazarus
to death.
We have this massive crowd.
We have a group
of individuals.
They're gathering
for a reason.
They're gathering
because of Lazarus.
They've heard
what Christ had done
in Bethany
just a few months before.
And they're there
on account of Jesus
but they're also there
on account of
what Jesus has done
with Lazarus.
And they're furious.
The religious leaders
are furious
and they make plans
to put Lazarus
to death.
Let's extinguish
or exterminate
the evidence.
Now notice the verses
just after our account.
Beginning in verse 17.
The crowds
that had been with him
when he called
Lazarus out of the tomb
and raised him
from the dead
continued to bear witness.
The reason why
the crowd went
to meet him
was that they heard
that he had done
this sign.
So the Pharisees
said to one another
you see that
they're gaining nothing.
Look,
the whole world
has gone after him.
Here again
we see Lazarus.
And in John's own words
in verse 18
the reason why
all the crowds
have gathered
it's there in verse 18
the reason why
the crowds went out
to meet him
was that they had heard
that he had done
this sign.
And this word sign
will now become
kind of this keyword
throughout the gospel
of John
that will help us
to try to understand
what the whole point
of this triumphal entry was
and the whole point
of Jesus'
public ministry was.
Now we take
another step back.
We expand our view.
We back up now
to John chapter 12
the very beginning
in verse 1
it says
six days before
the Passover
Jesus therefore
came to Bethany
where Lazarus
was
whom Jesus
had raised
from the dead.
So they gave a dinner
for him there.
Martha served
and Lazarus
was one of those
reclining with him
at the table.
Jesus had
just been in Jericho
and Jesus
had made this trek
it was a 17 mile trek
in a 3,000 feet
in elevation
from the ground floor
as it were
of where Jericho was
up to the elevation
where Bethany was.
They were exhausted
and it was a journey
that probably would have
taken all day
and so this stop
of refreshment
is taking place
in Bethany
at the end
of this long trip.
And there Jesus is
with this family
that's become so beloved
and so near
to his heart
Mary
and Martha
and Lazarus
are there.
Now we back up
one more time
to the previous chapter
in chapter 11.
You're acquainted
with this narrative.
You know
this story
of Jesus
raising Lazarus
from the dead.
You're acquainted
with his work there
that Martha
when she knew
that her brother
was sick
she is sent
to fetch Jesus
who was about
a day's journey away.
Jesus by design
waited
he delayed
for another few days
then he makes his way
up to Bethany
and
as the text
will tell us
that Lazarus
has died.
He's been in the grave
for three days
but Jesus goes
to the grave
he has the stone
rolled away
which is emblematic
of what's going to happen
in just a couple of days.
Lazarus has died
the stone is rolled away
Jesus makes a public statement
I am the resurrection
and the life
he speaks to Lazarus
and Lazarus
comes forth
raised
from the dead.
The immediate response
to this very
public miracle
is found
in verses
45
to 57.
Notice
in verse 45
many of the religious leaders
who were from Jerusalem
friends of the family
as it were
believed in him
but
there were others
verse 46
some of them
went to the Pharisees
and told them
what Jesus had done
and they were not happy.
Verse 47
here's our key phrase again
for what are we to do
for this man
performs
many
signs
finally
a sign
that they could all
agree on.
Their concern
we find in verse 48
that everyone
will believe in him
and the Romans
will come
and take away
our place.
So what does Jesus do?
We find in verse 54
Jesus therefore
no longer
walked openly
among the Jews
but went from there
to the region
near the wilderness
to a town
called Ephraim
and there
stayed with
his disciples.
Why?
Because
verse 57
the chief priests
and Pharisees
had given orders
that if anyone
knew where he was
he should let them know
and they might
arrest him.
It was a dangerous
place
now that Jesus
had performed
this very public
sign
that was now
not only confirmed
but validated
by those who were there.
This unmistakable
irrefutable
evidence
that Jesus
was in fact
the Messiah.
This claim
that he had been
making all along
now confirmed.
Now remember
what John's goal
is in writing
his gospel.
We find that in
John chapter 20
verse 30
it says
now Jesus
did many
other signs
in the presence
of the disciples
which are not
written in this book
but these
are written
so that you
may believe
that Jesus
is the Christ
the son of God
and that by believing
you may have
life in his name.
Jesus
did signs
and John
wrote the gospel
so that you
would believe.
The story
of the triumphal
entry
isn't just
information.
it's not
just about
Jesus
making claims
it's about
Jesus being
worshipped.
Fix your eyes
on Jesus.
That's the message
that we find
here
in just the
first few
verses.
Fix your eyes
on Jesus.
Focus
on him.
Let him be
the center
of your affection
the focus
of your desire
the goal
of your love
and obedience.
obedience.
Next
we're encouraged
to marvel
at his bold
obedience.
Marvel
at his bold
obedience.
Coming back
to verse 12
of John
chapter 12
it says this
the next day
the large crowd
that had come
to feast
heard that
Jesus
was coming
to Jerusalem.
Jesus is coming
he's coming
out of
the hidden
spaces
in the parts
away from
the Jordan
River
he's coming
out of
concealment
and he's
walking
headlong
into the
dangerous
city
of Jerusalem.
The crowds
are there.
They heard
that Jesus
was coming
and so
what do they
do?
Well they
take branches
of palm
trees
they go
out to
meet him
they cry
out
Hosanna
there is
this
understanding
that something
significant
was unfolding
in front
of them
but
their action
is only
a response
to this
bold
obedience
on the
part of
our Lord.
Jesus
is bold
obedience
remember
Jesus
is doing
this
intentionally
there's
a design
behind
what's
going
on
here
we
saw
that
briefly
in
John
11
54
we saw
that
Jesus
therefore
no longer
walked
openly
among
the Jews
but went
from there
to the regions
near the
wilderness
why did
he do
that?
Well he
did that
because
of timing
he did
that
because
of
God's
design
so this
was the
consistent
pattern
of our
Lord
Jesus
understood
the timing
of the
father
and Jesus
up to
this
moment
would
conceal
himself
John
chapter 5
verse 13
says
now the
man
who had
been healed
did not
know who
he was
for Jesus
had
withdrawn
as there
was a
crowd in
that place
John
chapter 6
verse 15
perceiving
then that
they were
about to
come
and take
him
by force
to make
him
king
Jesus
withdrew
again
to the
mountain
by himself
John
chapter 7
verse 1
after this
Jesus
went about
in Galilee
he would
not go
about
in Judea
because the
Jews
were seeking
to kill
him
John
chapter 8
verse 59
so they
picked up
stones
to throw
at him
but Jesus
hid himself
and went
out of the
temple
John
chapter 10
verses 39
and 40
again
they sought
to arrest
him
but he
escaped
from their
hands
he went
away
across
the
Jordan
to the
place
where
John
had been
baptizing
at first
and there
he remained
why did
Jesus do
that
because
Jesus
was
instrumentally
controlling
the circumstances
Jesus
was in
charge
Jesus
was king
he knew
it was
going
down
and it
was through
the definite
and divine
plan of
God
that he
would now
make his
approach
and boldly
in obedience
make his
way
into
Jerusalem
you see
Jesus
knew
that
that the
father
had designed
a time
for him
again
we find
that as a
common
theme
throughout
the gospel
of John
John
chapter 2
verse 4
and Jesus
said to her
woman
what does
this have
to do
with me
my hour
has not
yet
come
then in
John
chapter 7
verse 6
Jesus
said to
them
my time
has not
yet
come
John
chapter 7
verse 8
you go up
to the
feast
I'm
not going
up to
this
feast
for my
time
has not
yet
fully
come
John
chapter 7
verse 30
so they
were
seeking
to arrest
him
but no
one
laid a
hand
on him
because
his
hour
had
not
yet
come
Jesus
is
the
master
of
his
destiny
following
the decrees
of the
father
working
out
boldly
obedience
he
will
be the
one
to set
in
motion
the
events
that
now
unfold
in
John
chapter
12
because
he
is
the
one
who
is
orchestrating
them
ultimately
he does
this
to establish
once
and for
all
that
he
is
the
resurrection
in
the
life
and
now
these
two
statements
come
together
that
he
is
Messiah
that
he
is
the
sent
one
but
also
that
he
is
this
resurrection
in
the
life
that
in
the
shadow
of
John
11
and
the
resurrection
of
Lazarus
now
the
resurrection
in
life
comes
forward
to
prove
that
case
so
the
crowds
that
journeyed
with
him
from
Jericho
are
now
the
messengers
they
made
this
trip
along
with
Jesus
stops
in
Bethany
but
the
rest
of
the
crowds
make
their
way
into
Jerusalem
and
the
whole
city
is
abuzz
because
of
what
Jesus
has
and
after
this
long
trip
from
Jericho
Jesus
now
enjoys
some
refreshment
and
even
in
this
time
of
fellowshipping
with
Martha
and
Mary
and
Lazarus
this
course
of
events
that's
unfolding
in
Jerusalem
wants
to
draw
our
attention
now
to
this
honor
Jesus
for
who
he
is
honor
Jesus
for
who
he
is
recognize
him
wonder
at
him
fix
your
eyes
on
him
but
once
you
have
come
to
terms
with
who
he
is
honor
him
for
who
he
is
and
that's
what
Mary
does
she
sets
the
example
really
for
us
this
private
example
of
one
who
has
come
to
appreciate
at least
in her
own
mind
the
fullness
of
who
Christ
is
his
identity
and
the
gratitude
of
what
Christ
has
done
for
her
family
we're
in
John
chapter
12
verse 1
!
it says
six days
before
the
Passover
Jesus
therefore
came to
Bethany
where
Lazarus
was
whom
Jesus
had
raised
from
the
dead
so
they
gave
a
dinner
for
him
there
Martha
served
and
Lazarus
was
one
of
those
who
reclining
at
the
table
with
him
Mary
therefore
took
a
pound
of
expensive
ointment
made
from
pure
nard
and
anointed
the
feet
of
Jesus
and
wiped
His
feet
with
her
hair
the
house
was
filled
with
the
fragrance
of
the
perfume
and
you know
the
story
Judas
protests
he
actually
had
ulterior
motives
he
wanted
to
line
his
own
pockets
with
the
money
from
this
perfume
but
Jesus
commends
Mary
remember
why
he says
there
in
verse
7
Jesus
says
leave
her
alone
so
that
she
may
keep
it
for
the
day
of
my
burial
maybe
a more
helpful
translation
is
this
Jesus
said
to
her
let
her
alone
she
has
kept
this
for
the
day
of
my
burial
Jesus
knows
what
Mary
is
doing
Mary
is
unaware
what
did
Mary
think
she
was
doing
I
think
Mary
just
in
this
moment
was
so
full
of
worship
she
was
so
full
of
gratitude
Jesus
had
done
something
significant
for her
family
remember
how
heartbroken
she
was
at
the
loss
of
her
brother
and
remember
how
she's
there
weeping
at
the
tomb
Jesus
comes
and
he
meets
with
her
and
he
reminds
her
I'm
the
resurrection
the
life
then
he
raises
her
brother
from
the
dead
and
then
in
the
moments
later
the
months
later
that
we find
here
in
John
chapter
12
what
is
Mary
doing
she's
so
full
of
gratitude
so
full
of
thanks
and
in
her
deep
gratitude
she
realizes
that
sometimes
gratitude
is just
not
sufficient
with
words
that
true
deep
meaningful
gratitude
needs
to be
expressed
in
sacrifice
in
action
and
so
she
buys
this
expensive
perfume
she
anoints
Jesus
with
it
and
in
so
doing
unawares
she
is
also
setting
forth
the
symbol
of what
Christ
will
do
in
just
a few
days
from
then
we
find
that
she's
doing
this
for
the
day
of
his
burial
you
see
if
the
resurrection
in
life
is
going
to
be
that
resurrection
that
offers
resurrection
life
for
us
then
Jesus
needed
to
die
and
Mary
didn't
understand
that
but
she
is
commemorating
his
future
death
that
just
a few
days
from
then
he
will
die
and
this
entire
city
is
electrified
by
Jesus
his
nearness
we
find
this
city
that
would
also
need
to
honor
Jesus
for
who
he
was
and
finally
they
come
to
a
place
of
recognizing
that
the
sign
that
he
had
given
was
a
sign
that
they
could
trust
John
chapter
12
verses
9
and
10
says
this
when
the
large
crowd
of
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
so
the
chief
priest
made
plans
to
put
Lazarus
to
death
as
well
they're
there
because
finally
all of
the
miracles
that
Jesus
had
done
all
the
signs
that
he
had
performed
now
culminate
in this
ultimate
sign
this
sign
that
was
undisputed
and
we
find
that
there
in
John
chapter
12
verse
17
and
18
a
great
sign
had
been
done
notice
verse
18
the
crowd
went
to
meet
because
they
heard
he
had
done
this
sign
a
great
sign
had
been
done
you
remember
that
the
Jews
were
constantly
looking
for
signs
they
wanted
to
know
Jesus
is
making
these
claims
how
can
we
know
for
sure
that
he's
for
real
he
was
a
man
attested
to
them
by
signs
and
wonders
as we
saw
in
Acts
chapter
2
but
they're
looking
for
it
themselves
the
beginning
of the
gospel
of John
sets
this
up
for
us
in
it
says
this
the
first
of
his
signs
Jesus
did
at
Cana
in
Galilee
and
manifested
his
glory
and
his
disciples
believed
in
him
but
then
in
verse
18
we
see
so
the
Jews
said
to
him
what
sign
do
you
show
us
for
doing
these
things
Jesus
had
given
them
signs
but
those
signs
were
not
enough
until
we
finally
get
to
this
ultimate
sign
this
sign
of
Jesus
raising
Lazarus
from
time
this
clear
undisputed
sign
has
come
into
the
public
view
and
finally
the
nation
has
embraced
the
Messiah
at
least
for
now
Jesus
had
done
mighty
works
before
but
now
Lazarus
was
this
sign
that
Jerusalem
could
not
keep
at
a
distance
it
was
a
sign
that
they
could
all
recognize
and
confirm
and
attest
to
the
fact
that
Jesus
was
in
fact
the
person
he
claimed
figure
they
celebrate
this
true
Messiah
that
they
finally
have
come
to
recognize
for
themselves
they
want
to
honor
him
but
then
we
come
to
our
final
point
this
morning
and
that
is
this
beware
that
celebration
is not
the same
as
faith
beware
that
celebration
is not
the same
as
faith
we
come
to
this
statement
one
more
time
in
verses
12
to
15
the
next
day
the
large
crowd
that
had
come
to
the
feast
heard
that
Jesus
was
coming
to
Jerusalem
so
they
took
branches
of
palm
trees
and
they
went
out
to
meet
him
crying
Hosanna
blessed
is he
who
comes
in
the
name
of
the
Lord
even
the
king
of
Israel
and
Jesus
found
a
young
donkey
and
sat
on
it
just
as
it
written
fear
not
daughters
of
Zion
behold
your
king
!
sitting
on a
donkey's
colt
the
city
had
recognized
this
they
were
celebrating
Jesus
as
Messiah
and
yet
there
was
a
sense
in
which
they
really
didn't
understand
the
fullness
of
what
was
about
to
happen
their
celebration
was
empty
their
celebration
didn't
include
the
deep
roots
of
faith
they
were
responding
to
the
events
that
they
saw
and
not
responding
to
the
Savior
who
continued
to
present
himself
to
them
so
they
come
with
these
festal
palms
that
carry
this
biblical
association
of
celebration
we find
throughout
the
scriptures
Leviticus
23
verse
40
this
is
the
feast
of
tabernacles
and
this
was
a
different
holiday
but
you
can
see
how
palm
branches
are woven
into
this
celebration
it
says
and
you
shall
take
on
the
first
day
of
the
fruit
of
the
splendid
trees
branches
of
palm
trees
and
boughs
of
leafy
trees
and
willows
of
the
brook
and
you
shall
rejoice
before
the
Lord
your
God
seven
of
those
in
this
nation
was
the
celebration
that
would
happen
through
palm
branches
it's
also
kind
of
an
allusion
to
what
we'll
see
at
the
end
of
time
where
the
same
kind
of
celebration
will
happen
Revelation
chapter
seven
verses
nine
and
ten
speak
of
this
after
this
I
looked
and
behold
a
great
multitude
!
that
no
one
could
number
from
every
nation
from
all
tribes
and
peoples
and
languages
standing
and
before
the
Lamb
clothed
in
white
robes
with
palm
branches
in
their
hands
and
crying
out
with
a
loud
voice
salvation
belongs
to
our
God
who
sits
on
the
throne
and
to
the
Lamb
celebration
this
celebration
of
the
Messiah
is
driven
by
this
sign
that
they
finally
recognize
as
undisputable
and
Jesus
now
not only
embraces
this
title
of
Messiah
this
king
who's
come
Hosanna
he
receives
the
worship
and
that
is
important
for
us
to
recognize
here
in
John
chapter
12
that
Jesus
does
not
protest
Jesus
receives
this
worship
but
it's
also
bound
together
with
the
statement
he's
just
made
in
the
presence
of
Lazarus
that
I
am
the
resurrection
and
the
life
and
Jesus
will
prove
in
just
a few
days
from
there
that
he
in
fact
was
this
resurrection
in
the
king
and
they
don't
understand
necessarily
what the
cross
is going
to hold
but
at least
for now
in this
moment
they're
celebrating
Messiah
as
king
they
announce
his
victory
before
they
understand
the
cost
of
that
victory
their
celebration
really
in this
moment
is
empty
because
they
don't
recognize
the
significance
of
what
Jesus
is
about
to
do
and
that's
why
we
find
in
the
death
of
Christ
so
many
are
confused
and
while
in
Acts
chapter
2
there
are
so
few
that
remain
these
120
believers
out of
the
thousands
and
thousands
of
those
who
attested
and
celebrated
him
why
they
turn
and say
crucify
him
take
him
away
their
celebration
was
empty
and
ironically
the
act
that
was
meant
to
silence
the
crowds
and
discredit
the
messianic
claims
to
put
Jesus
to
death
and
put
Lazarus
to
death
those
things
to
help
silence
those
crowds
and
to
silence
any
evidence
that was
there
to
take
it
out
of
the
way
the
very
things
that
were
meant
to
silence
those
crowds
are
the
very
things
that
give
us
reason
to
praise
we
praise
a
risen
savior
he
is
the
resurrection
the
life
because
he
had
to
die
before
he
could
prove
his
resurrection
life
and also
invite us
to
experience
that same
resurrection
in life
through faith
in him
see
Jesus came
to extend
that
resurrection
life
power
and we're
going to
look at that
next week
and see
the wonder
of his
resurrection
and all
that we
can benefit
from
because
of
this
obedient
son
obedient
king
coming
into
Jerusalem
so the
question
that we
finish
with
this
morning
is
do
you
admire
the
son
without
coming
to the
savior
are you
admiring
a king
are you
admiring
a figure
are you
admiring
someone
who comes
and fixes
your
problems
but you
don't
really
understand
the
significance
and the
depth
of what
Jesus
came to
do
to seek
and to
save
the
lost
and for
him to
seek
and to
save
the
lost
you need
to be
one
who admits
that you're
lost
you need
to be
one
who admits
that you
need
saving
you need
to be
one
that admits
that you
are broken
and you
are out of
fellowship
with God
that sin
has separated
us
from God
and so
Jesus
comes
Jesus
comes
to make
a way
for us
to enjoy
life
just like
this
resurrection
life
that
Lazarus
enjoyed
he
invites
us
to
participate
in
through
faith
in
Christ
believe
on the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and you'll
be saved
as Acts
chapter 2
verse 21
says
and it
shall come
to pass
that everyone
who calls
on the name
of the Lord
shall be
saved
have you
come
to a
place
not just
in
celebrating
the work
of Christ
but coming
to a
place
of
worshiping
the
Savior
let's
pray
Lord
thank you
for this
triumphal
entry
thank you
for the
way
that John
captures
this story
to help
draw attention
not only
to
this
procession
that's
taking place
there in
Jerusalem
but more
importantly
a nation
that is
confirmed
at least
for the
moment
confirmed
that the
sign
that you
gave
is
convincing
that it's
indisputable
Lord I
imagine
that many
of us
in this
room
have come
to a
place
of seeing
the
glimpses
of your
son
and have
come to
recognize
the authority
of your
works
have come
to appreciate
perhaps
the
your
work
in
our
lives
in
the
answers
that you
give
in terms
of
prayer
but Lord
I pray
that we
wouldn't
just see
you
as this
vending
machine
as it
were
but that
we would
come
to worship
the Savior
we would
lay down
our lives
for you
and that
we would
learn to
depend on
you in
every way
that our
faith in
you would
not be
superficial
like the
believing
in Jerusalem
was on
this
triumphal
entry
and may
our
celebration
not be
temporary
but it
might be
the kind
of celebration
we see
in Revelation
chapter 7
where standing
around the
throne
are the
nations
and tribes
and languages
of people
who have
come to
embrace
the reality
of the
Messiah
and there
they are
standing
before your
throne
celebrating
and worshiping
the Savior
together
may that be
true
of us
as well
we pray
in Jesus
name
amen
God bless
you
have a
great
week
God bless
Thank you.