WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.740
 So I want to preach tonight from Mark chapter 11.

00:00:04.600 --> 00:00:05.580
 If you've got it in front of you.

00:00:06.280 --> 00:00:07.980
 And it is Palm Sunday.

00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:12.859
 And the first thing that I want to say to you is,

00:00:12.859 --> 00:00:17.740
! Despite the fact that Jesus had a large crowd around him,

00:00:17.859 --> 00:00:19.080
 nobody was really with him.

00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:21.440
 He was on his own.

00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:27.719
 I don't know how you find it, but sometimes when I'm talking with people who are going through really difficult times,

00:00:28.699 --> 00:00:33.759
 and like some of you are, and I can't identify myself with what is being said and what has happened,

00:00:34.939 --> 00:00:39.100
 I find myself thinking and saying to them,

00:00:39.100 --> 00:00:42.799
 there's no one who will understand this except Jesus Christ.

00:00:44.179 --> 00:00:47.920
 And the great thing about Jesus is not only will he understand what you're going through,

00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:49.980
 but he will be able to help you.

00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:56.519
 The second thing I want you to notice as we begin, as we read these verses about the walk into Jerusalem,

00:00:56.520 --> 00:00:58.020
 is that everything's upside down.

00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:03.980
 All the things that are meant to be impressive are not impressive.

00:01:05.159 --> 00:01:09.920
 And the things that you think are not impressive are very impressive, as we'll see.

00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:18.320
 I read of two students in Aberdeen who went to an art show in an art gallery,

00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:22.019
 and they took with them a one-pound pineapple they'd bought in the supermarket.

00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:26.640
 They left the pineapple on an empty stand in the art show,

00:01:27.099 --> 00:01:30.060
 and they were delighted a few days later when they went back

00:01:30.060 --> 00:01:33.700
 to see that the pineapple had been given its own glass case

00:01:33.700 --> 00:01:36.180
 and had been made part of the art show.

00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:38.700
 That's the world that we live in, isn't it?

00:01:38.700 --> 00:01:43.760
 So suddenly things that are really stupid become serious,

00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:47.799
 and things that are really serious get treated stupidly.

00:01:49.240 --> 00:01:52.159
 And so if you've got the passage open for you, there's two headings for tonight.

00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:57.020
 One is The Lonely Road, and secondly, The Loving Word.

00:01:57.300 --> 00:01:57.420
 Okay?

00:01:58.100 --> 00:02:01.060
 The Lonely Road and The Loving Word.

00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:06.340
 And my hope is that this sermon will help us be anchored,

00:02:06.700 --> 00:02:10.219
 that this week we won't be like a cork bobbing along in the ocean.

00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:16.860
 So we're on the road to Jerusalem, and Jerusalem is the point of Jesus' mission.

00:02:17.699 --> 00:02:21.020
 He wants to get to the city because that is where he's going to be crucified.

00:02:21.020 --> 00:02:27.780
 And so we read back in chapter 10 and verse 33 that he said to his disciples,

00:02:27.920 --> 00:02:30.580
 we're going to Jerusalem where I'll be handed over to die.

00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:39.240
 And even though the way that Jesus rides into Jerusalem is the way to death,

00:02:39.980 --> 00:02:43.480
 and it should have registered with the disciples, they just don't get it.

00:02:45.600 --> 00:02:47.460
 And they might have thought to themselves,

00:02:47.760 --> 00:02:50.180
 he's about to ride in on a donkey,

00:02:50.180 --> 00:02:53.480
 and it says, doesn't it, in the Old Testament,

00:02:53.939 --> 00:02:55.680
 that somebody from the tribe of Judah,

00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:57.580
 and Jesus is from the tribe of Judah,

00:02:57.659 --> 00:03:01.439
 will eventually link donkey and death together,

00:03:01.439 --> 00:03:02.219
 but they don't get it.

00:03:03.480 --> 00:03:08.100
 They might have thought that almost the last book of the Old Testament is Zechariah,

00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:09.300
 and it says this, it says,

00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:13.319
 Rejoice, your king comes humble riding on a donkey,

00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:16.400
 but they've obviously not been reading their Old Testament.

00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:19.900
 And so they don't remember, and they don't register.

00:03:21.180 --> 00:03:23.200
 And they don't get what Jesus is doing.

00:03:23.300 --> 00:03:29.140
 And even though we need the word of God to understand the events which take place,

00:03:29.140 --> 00:03:31.560
 nobody even seems to remember.

00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:36.219
 In the incident before, Blind Bartimaeus, do you remember?

00:03:36.640 --> 00:03:39.260
 He put one and one together, and he made two.

00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:42.860
 He recognized that someone was coming who was called king,

00:03:43.560 --> 00:03:45.159
 someone was coming who was called son of David,

00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:48.600
 and Jesus is acting like this son of David,

00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:50.579
 so he must be the son of David.

00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:52.299
 He put one and one together, and he made two.

00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:54.759
 But nobody here on Palm Sunday does that.

00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:58.359
 Now, when I think of Palm Sunday,

00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:00.000
 I don't know what you think of.

00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:04.419
 There are certain hymns which we've missed singing today, aren't there?

00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:07.120
 Certain hymns which, if you grew up in a church,

00:04:07.240 --> 00:04:08.979
 you'll remember those choruses.

00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:11.659
 You'll remember Sunday school lessons

00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:13.479
 where you made palm branches

00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:16.199
 and you put your coats on the ground.

00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:19.600
 And we think often,

00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:21.939
 Palm Sunday must have been a day

00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:23.839
 when people really recognized who Jesus was.

00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:27.659
 When people got very, very excited about Jesus

00:04:27.659 --> 00:04:31.339
 and there was lots of faith in Jesus.

00:04:31.339 --> 00:04:34.179
 And then really strangely,

00:04:34.699 --> 00:04:35.379
 five days later,

00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:36.299
 they all turn against him.

00:04:37.419 --> 00:04:39.179
 And they call for his crucifixion.

00:04:40.799 --> 00:04:42.159
 And I want to suggest to you

00:04:42.159 --> 00:04:43.000
 that isn't what is happening.

00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:45.719
 I want to suggest to you

00:04:45.719 --> 00:04:47.899
 that actually there's no faith at all here.

00:04:49.359 --> 00:04:50.759
 Everything is completely superficial.

00:04:52.239 --> 00:04:53.579
 And I think I can prove that to you.

00:04:53.679 --> 00:04:54.819
 If you look at the four Gospels,

00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:55.919
 Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,

00:04:55.959 --> 00:04:58.099
 they all record the coming of Jesus

00:04:58.099 --> 00:04:59.179
 introducing him on a donkey.

00:04:59.180 --> 00:05:00.840
 It's a big event.

00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:02.800
 This is what Matthew says in Matthew 21.

00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:05.000
 He finishes with this verdict from the crowd.

00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:07.439
 The crowd said Jesus is a prophet.

00:05:09.540 --> 00:05:11.620
 And I'm absolutely sure they've missed the point.

00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:14.780
 They don't say he's king.

00:05:15.780 --> 00:05:17.240
 They don't say he's the Messiah.

00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:18.319
 He's just a prophet.

00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:20.379
 If you go to Luke's Gospel,

00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:22.180
 chapter 19 records the event.

00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:24.620
 And then it finishes with this verdict

00:05:24.620 --> 00:05:25.939
 that Jesus wept.

00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:28.639
 And he said,

00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:29.980
 to the people,

00:05:30.100 --> 00:05:31.600
 if only you'd know

00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:32.879
 what would make for your peace.

00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:36.060
 You did not recognize God's coming to you.

00:05:37.680 --> 00:05:38.759
 And John tells us,

00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:39.500
 in his account,

00:05:39.579 --> 00:05:40.120
 in John 12,

00:05:40.280 --> 00:05:42.040
 the final sentence of John 12,

00:05:42.180 --> 00:05:44.319
 the disciples did not understand

00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:46.100
 what Jesus was doing.

00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:48.120
 And Mark's Gospel,

00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:49.680
 he records a number of things

00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:50.899
 they said,

00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:53.579
 but none of the things they said

00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:55.180
 really connect to Jesus.

00:05:55.180 --> 00:05:57.519
 I want you to look at me

00:05:57.519 --> 00:06:00.180
 with me at this lonely ride for Jesus

00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:01.660
 and why it's important

00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:03.079
 that it is a lonely ride.

00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:05.819
 Because Jesus is doing

00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:07.139
 a mission on his own

00:06:07.139 --> 00:06:08.259
 that no one else can do.

00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:10.620
 And as we look at

00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:12.879
 these verses,

00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:13.300
 verses

00:06:13.300 --> 00:06:16.060
 nine and ten,

00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:18.480
 some of you might think,

00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:19.259
 isn't our minister

00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:19.860
 really,

00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:21.280
 really clever

00:06:21.280 --> 00:06:22.280
 to show us things

00:06:22.280 --> 00:06:23.500
 that we've never seen before?

00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:25.040
 And where would we be

00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:26.680
 without our great guide

00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:27.699
 and guru,

00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:28.220
 pastor?

00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:30.360
 I doubt you're saying that.

00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:33.319
 But I want you to notice

00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:34.459
 that I'm not going to say anything

00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:34.980
 that actually

00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:36.840
 if you carefully read the text

00:06:36.840 --> 00:06:38.060
 and follow up the references

00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:38.660
 in the Old Testament,

00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:39.939
 you wouldn't be able to see yourself.

00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:42.420
 So first of all,

00:06:42.459 --> 00:06:43.300
 look at verse nine

00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:43.879
 of chapter 11.

00:06:43.959 --> 00:06:44.899
 The people call out,

00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:45.379
 don't they,

00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:46.259
 Hosanna.

00:06:47.699 --> 00:06:49.180
 And that word means save.

00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:51.959
 And it was the sort of thing

00:06:51.959 --> 00:06:52.879
 that they called out

00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:54.019
 when they walked

00:06:54.019 --> 00:06:55.220
 or marched into Jerusalem.

00:06:56.360 --> 00:06:58.779
 And it was a very general word

00:06:58.779 --> 00:06:59.959
 calling out to God

00:06:59.959 --> 00:07:00.800
 to save us.

00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:02.519
 And it doesn't say,

00:07:02.680 --> 00:07:03.959
 does it save us from our sins?

00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:06.939
 It could be just

00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:08.839
 save us from our Roman oppressors.

00:07:08.839 --> 00:07:09.919
 It's a general,

00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:10.719
 oh God,

00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:12.479
 save us from our problems.

00:07:12.719 --> 00:07:14.599
 There's nothing specific

00:07:14.599 --> 00:07:16.379
 being said about Jesus.

00:07:16.579 --> 00:07:17.799
 And then in verse nine,

00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:22.139
 and those who went before

00:07:22.139 --> 00:07:23.879
 and those who followed

00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:24.439
 were shouting,

00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:25.299
 Hosanna.

00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:27.599
 Blessed is he who comes

00:07:27.599 --> 00:07:28.899
 in the name of the Lord.

00:07:29.039 --> 00:07:29.899
 Now we read that

00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:30.979
 and we think that

00:07:30.979 --> 00:07:32.259
 it's speaking about Jesus.

00:07:32.599 --> 00:07:33.939
 But if you go to the Psalm,

00:07:34.799 --> 00:07:36.379
 it's not talking about Jesus.

00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:37.699
 It's talking about the pilgrim.

00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:39.240
 The pilgrim who is

00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:40.319
 on his way to Jerusalem.

00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:42.639
 Blessed is the person

00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:43.699
 who goes up to Jerusalem.

00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:45.920
 Blessed is the person

00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:46.779
 who goes up to Jerusalem

00:07:46.779 --> 00:07:48.199
 and ends up in the temple.

00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:49.479
 It's not about Jesus at all.

00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:50.439
 Then look at verse 10.

00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:54.279
 Blessed is the coming kingdom.

00:07:56.039 --> 00:07:56.639
 And that's just

00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:57.899
 the standard language

00:07:57.899 --> 00:07:59.099
 of we're looking forward

00:07:59.099 --> 00:07:59.759
 to something better.

00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:03.980
 There's no direct link

00:08:03.980 --> 00:08:05.180
 to Jesus at all.

00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:06.519
 And the final sentence

00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:07.779
 of chapter 11, verse 10,

00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:09.399
 Hosanna in the highest.

00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:10.899
 Save us.

00:08:11.219 --> 00:08:11.680
 Save us.

00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:12.300
 It's vague.

00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:13.420
 It's really vague.

00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:15.639
 It's general.

00:08:16.180 --> 00:08:17.420
 It's not specifically

00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:19.219
 related to Jesus.

00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:20.539
 It's pretty empty.

00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:23.920
 And so you see,

00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:24.759
 each of the Gospels

00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:25.659
 in their own way

00:08:25.659 --> 00:08:26.539
 are telling us

00:08:26.539 --> 00:08:27.339
 that Jesus is on

00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:28.399
 a very lonely ride.

00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:31.000
 At Palm Sunday,

00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:32.379
 the crowds don't understand him.

00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:34.199
 The disciples

00:08:34.199 --> 00:08:36.100
 don't understand him.

00:08:36.819 --> 00:08:37.559
 They're just having

00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:39.480
 standard Passover celebrations.

00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:40.559
 There's no grasp

00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:42.519
 that Jesus was the king at all.

00:08:45.079 --> 00:08:45.819
 Do you think it's possible

00:08:45.819 --> 00:08:47.899
 for you to be so in the dark?

00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:50.759
 Do you think it's possible

00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:52.120
 for people to be in a crowd

00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.799
 and to be saying things

00:08:53.799 --> 00:08:55.519
 and singing things

00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:57.740
 that are really orthodox

00:08:57.740 --> 00:08:59.080
 but actually completely

00:08:59.080 --> 00:08:59.740
 missing the point

00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:00.480
 at the same time?

00:09:03.080 --> 00:09:04.080
 Do you think that's possible?

00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:08.440
 Think about weddings.

00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:11.560
 Think about Christian weddings.

00:09:12.060 --> 00:09:13.000
 There's a hymn, isn't there,

00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:15.039
 that explains that

00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:16.820
 Jesus lived and died and rose.

00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:19.300
 And then there's a reading

00:09:19.300 --> 00:09:20.879
 from the Bible

00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:21.660
 that explains that

00:09:21.660 --> 00:09:23.100
 Jesus lived and died and rose.

00:09:23.180 --> 00:09:24.120
 And then there's an explanation

00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:25.060
 of what marriage is.

00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:25.920
 There's a picture of

00:09:25.920 --> 00:09:28.180
 Jesus living and dying and rising.

00:09:28.280 --> 00:09:29.140
 And then there's a sermon,

00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:29.580
 isn't there,

00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:30.280
 or a talk.

00:09:31.420 --> 00:09:32.340
 And they proclaim

00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:34.500
 that Jesus lived and died and rose.

00:09:34.560 --> 00:09:35.580
 And then you go to the reception.

00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:38.320
 And what do people say?

00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:40.400
 They say,

00:09:41.420 --> 00:09:41.660
 Minister,

00:09:41.760 --> 00:09:42.920
 that was a lovely service.

00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:43.400
 Thank you.

00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:46.120
 And they pay no attention

00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:46.980
 to what was being said.

00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:49.620
 Can I just say,

00:09:49.699 --> 00:09:50.980
 that was a lovely service.

00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:52.199
 They were lovely words.

00:09:53.559 --> 00:09:55.899
 And even though they were singing

00:09:55.899 --> 00:09:57.360
 and listening,

00:09:57.639 --> 00:09:58.419
 nothing has gone in.

00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:00.639
 Think about Christmas.

00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:03.699
 It's a privilege, isn't it,

00:10:03.699 --> 00:10:05.159
 that people pile into Christmas services.

00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:08.059
 And the carols are

00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:10.159
 so wonderfully full of

00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:11.839
 rich truth about the Lord Jesus

00:10:11.839 --> 00:10:12.719
 and who he is,

00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:13.620
 that he's the King of Kings

00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:14.539
 and the Lord of Lords.

00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:16.000
 He's God made man.

00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:17.620
 He's the saviour of the world.

00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:19.620
 He's the Messiah.

00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:20.839
 He's the one who comes

00:10:20.839 --> 00:10:21.879
 to give second birth.

00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:23.819
 And we discover very clearly

00:10:23.819 --> 00:10:25.279
 who he is

00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:26.459
 and what he came to do.

00:10:26.719 --> 00:10:27.939
 And people sing

00:10:27.939 --> 00:10:29.240
 and they listen

00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:31.579
 and nothing

00:10:31.579 --> 00:10:32.919
 goes in.

00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:33.100
 And

00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:36.939
 well,

00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:38.139
 think about a normal church service

00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:41.559
 where people can sing the hymns

00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:42.559
 and listen to the reading

00:10:42.559 --> 00:10:43.899
 and confess their sin

00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:45.579
 and say the creed

00:10:45.579 --> 00:10:47.079
 and hear God's word

00:10:47.079 --> 00:10:47.480
 and nothing

00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:48.259
 goes in.

00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:50.159
 You see,

00:10:50.199 --> 00:10:50.559
 it's possible,

00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:50.799
 isn't it,

00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:51.480
 to be like the crowds

00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:52.240
 on Palm Sunday.

00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:54.159
 To be listening

00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:55.480
 and saying

00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:56.299
 but not getting it.

00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:58.859
 And if we look very,

00:10:58.979 --> 00:10:59.459
 very carefully

00:10:59.459 --> 00:11:00.359
 at Palm Sunday,

00:11:00.459 --> 00:11:01.199
 I think we are meant

00:11:01.199 --> 00:11:02.859
 to see Jesus is alone

00:11:02.859 --> 00:11:04.500
 and we are not just meant

00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:05.740
 to despair at that point.

00:11:07.459 --> 00:11:08.559
 Because he is alone.

00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:10.059
 He alone is the answer

00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:11.159
 to our problem,

00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:12.399
 the answer to unbelief.

00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:14.459
 And he's the answer to sin

00:11:14.459 --> 00:11:15.120
 and he's the answer

00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:15.839
 to lostness.

00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:16.519
 And so by the time

00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.419
 you get to Jerusalem

00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:18.939
 and he is crucified

00:11:18.939 --> 00:11:20.939
 and he does his work,

00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.699
 the temple of the curtain

00:11:22.699 --> 00:11:23.179
 opens

00:11:23.179 --> 00:11:24.139
 and people start

00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:24.959
 to pour in.

00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:28.360
 One more little clue

00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:29.060
 in Mark 11

00:11:29.060 --> 00:11:29.980
 that this crowd

00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:31.200
 is not appreciating Jesus

00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:32.300
 is that in verse 11

00:11:32.300 --> 00:11:33.759
 when he actually gets

00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:34.420
 to the temple,

00:11:34.540 --> 00:11:35.480
 to the meeting place,

00:11:36.580 --> 00:11:37.540
 that place where people

00:11:37.540 --> 00:11:38.259
 were meant to meet

00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:39.000
 with God,

00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:41.519
 Mark doesn't tell us anything.

00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:43.259
 There's no red carpet

00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:44.139
 laid out for him.

00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.560
 There's no people

00:11:46.560 --> 00:11:47.280
 waiting for him.

00:11:47.340 --> 00:11:48.120
 There's nobody

00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:49.019
 talking to him.

00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:50.379
 It's eerie, isn't it?

00:11:50.400 --> 00:11:51.259
 He walks in

00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:53.160
 and he looks around.

00:11:54.960 --> 00:11:56.139
 And in Mark's gospel

00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:56.759
 when you read it,

00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:57.460
 that little phrase

00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:58.400
 looking around

00:11:58.400 --> 00:11:59.620
 is always ominous.

00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.440
 It's almost

00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:03.540
 always ominous.

00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:04.660
 Whenever it says

00:12:04.660 --> 00:12:05.280
 he looks around,

00:12:05.400 --> 00:12:06.200
 what is he looking for?

00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.080
 He's looking for life.

00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:09.920
 He's looking for faith.

00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:12.480
 And how many

00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:13.180
 does he have with him

00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:13.639
 when he leaves?

00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:14.160
 Verse 12,

00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:15.280
 no big crowds.

00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:19.319
 And so here is perhaps

00:12:19.319 --> 00:12:20.240
 the loneliest ride

00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:20.919
 in the universe.

00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:24.919
 And I want to say this to you

00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:25.740
 because loneliness

00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:28.179
 is such a big issue,

00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:28.519
 isn't it?

00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:29.659
 It's a big issue always,

00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:30.360
 but it's a big issue

00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:30.819
 at the moment.

00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:34.980
 I quite like being alone.

00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.980
 But being lonely

00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:39.059
 is different,

00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:39.539
 doesn't it?

00:12:39.539 --> 00:12:42.899
 it's when you feel

00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:43.620
 that nobody

00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:45.379
 is really connecting

00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:47.000
 or caring for you.

00:12:48.959 --> 00:12:49.399
 And loneliness

00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:50.360
 is when there's

00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:51.120
 no guarantee

00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:51.379
 that

00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:53.599
 if things are going

00:12:53.599 --> 00:12:54.240
 to get worse

00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:54.659
 or not,

00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:56.299
 that there'll be

00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:57.159
 someone there for you.

00:12:57.219 --> 00:12:58.759
 That is a terrible feeling.

00:12:58.759 --> 00:13:02.019
 And you know

00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:03.539
 that slight panic

00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:04.879
 that you may be alone

00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:05.639
 and adrift.

00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:08.200
 And loneliness

00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:09.580
 is a very big thing

00:13:09.580 --> 00:13:10.159
 in our city.

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:13.100
 There's lots of loneliness

00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:13.679
 out there,

00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:14.159
 isn't there?

00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:17.220
 And because our world

00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:17.720
 is told

00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:18.779
 that there is no

00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:20.120
 loving Heavenly Father

00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:20.740
 whatsoever,

00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:22.240
 it's just you

00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.319
 in an empty universe,

00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:24.019
 it's no wonder

00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:24.720
 that there's such

00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:25.200
 a great deal

00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:25.679
 of despair.

00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:28.979
 But God

00:13:28.979 --> 00:13:29.599
 has two answers,

00:13:29.719 --> 00:13:29.959
 doesn't he,

00:13:29.979 --> 00:13:30.359
 to loneliness.

00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:32.359
 One is his son

00:13:32.359 --> 00:13:34.919
 who is able

00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:35.799
 to bring you

00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:36.099
 and I

00:13:36.099 --> 00:13:36.779
 immediately

00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:37.799
 into the Father's

00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:38.159
 presence

00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:41.739
 so that you

00:13:41.739 --> 00:13:42.319
 will return

00:13:42.319 --> 00:13:42.899
 to him

00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:44.059
 and he runs

00:13:44.059 --> 00:13:44.739
 down the road

00:13:44.739 --> 00:13:45.659
 and embraces you.

00:13:48.219 --> 00:13:48.979
 And the other

00:13:48.979 --> 00:13:49.659
 partial answer

00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:50.219
 to loneliness

00:13:50.219 --> 00:13:51.500
 is God's family,

00:13:51.599 --> 00:13:51.919
 isn't it,

00:13:51.939 --> 00:13:52.379
 that you see

00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:53.019
 on your screen.

00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:56.100
 And God's family

00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:57.240
 is made

00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.519
 up of sinful

00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:58.980
 people

00:13:58.980 --> 00:13:59.740
 and imperfect

00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.519
 people.

00:14:02.179 --> 00:14:02.960
 It's literally

00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:03.799
 tonight a rogues

00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.159
 gallery.

00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:06.579
 But it's one

00:14:06.579 --> 00:14:07.000
 of the ways

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.539
 that God

00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.779
 builds the bridges

00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:09.519
 of relationships

00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:10.079
 in our world,

00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:10.419
 isn't it?

00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:13.079
 And we begin

00:14:13.079 --> 00:14:13.939
 to show some care

00:14:13.939 --> 00:14:14.539
 and kindness

00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:15.019
 to one another.

00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:15.699
 We don't do it

00:14:15.699 --> 00:14:16.019
 perfectly,

00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:16.699
 we know that.

00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:18.899
 But we do it

00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:19.379
 profitably.

00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.199
 And so that's

00:14:21.199 --> 00:14:21.779
 the lonely road.

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:23.899
 Secondly,

00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:24.639
 a loving word.

00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:27.740
 A loving word.

00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:28.559
 I don't know

00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:30.559
 what you feel

00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:31.019
 when you read

00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:31.600
 the first few

00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.279
 verses of Mark

00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:32.860
 chapter 11.

00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.379
 I think

00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:36.120
 when you read

00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:37.100
 the first few

00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:37.620
 verses of Mark

00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:37.779
 11,

00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.600
 you scratch your

00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:39.059
 head and you

00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:39.220
 think,

00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:39.960
 what is this

00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:40.539
 here for?

00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:42.860
 Why are we

00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:43.899
 being told

00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.419
 all this stuff

00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:45.039
 about a donkey

00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:46.819
 that's tied up

00:14:46.819 --> 00:14:48.199
 and you're

00:14:48.199 --> 00:14:48.639
 going to go

00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:50.199
 and untie it

00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:50.720
 and somebody's

00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:51.019
 going to say

00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:51.299
 to you,

00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:51.679
 why are you

00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.319
 untying it?

00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:53.040
 And you're

00:14:53.040 --> 00:14:53.320
 going to say

00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.020
 I'm untying it

00:14:54.020 --> 00:14:55.480
 because of this.

00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.500
 What is that

00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.080
 all about?

00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:00.600
 Don't you feel

00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.100
 like calling out

00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:01.980
 I don't get it?

00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:02.500
 Well,

00:15:02.680 --> 00:15:03.300
 let me try

00:15:03.300 --> 00:15:04.420
 and give you

00:15:04.420 --> 00:15:05.100
 the answer,

00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:05.740
 I think.

00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:08.480
 Jesus is giving

00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.240
 his disciples

00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:11.200
 a reminder

00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:11.780
 that he can be

00:15:11.780 --> 00:15:12.100
 trusted

00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:14.760
 and his words

00:15:14.760 --> 00:15:15.320
 can be trusted.

00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:17.840
 and the reason

00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:18.300
 is if you

00:15:18.300 --> 00:15:19.080
 look at what

00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:19.400
 he says,

00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:19.920
 just look at

00:15:19.920 --> 00:15:20.720
 chapter 11

00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:21.400
 verse 2,

00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:23.940
 he says

00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:24.740
 to two

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.300
 disciples,

00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.440
 remember they

00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:26.840
 forgot in the

00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:27.300
 Old Testament,

00:15:27.800 --> 00:15:28.500
 they're not

00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.020
 thinking,

00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:29.379
 are they?

00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:29.680
 They're not

00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:30.240
 registering,

00:15:30.920 --> 00:15:31.400
 but he wants

00:15:31.400 --> 00:15:31.740
 to help them.

00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:32.240
 So he says

00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.720
 in verse 2,

00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:33.240
 go into the

00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:33.720
 village in front

00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:34.600
 of you and

00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.140
 immediately as

00:15:35.140 --> 00:15:35.560
 you enter it

00:15:35.560 --> 00:15:35.879
 you'll find

00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:36.780
 a colt tied

00:15:36.780 --> 00:15:37.900
 on which

00:15:37.900 --> 00:15:38.620
 no one has

00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.720
 ever sat.

00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.100
 Untie it

00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.560
 and bring it.

00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:43.920
 And

00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:46.700
 the implication

00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:47.080
 is this,

00:15:47.140 --> 00:15:47.960
 Jesus knows

00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:48.640
 what is in

00:15:48.640 --> 00:15:48.879
 front.

00:15:50.400 --> 00:15:51.020
 And Jesus

00:15:51.020 --> 00:15:51.520
 knows what's

00:15:51.520 --> 00:15:51.840
 around the

00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.100
 corner.

00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:53.620
 And in the

00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:53.900
 future.

00:15:55.180 --> 00:15:56.040
 And that is

00:15:56.040 --> 00:15:57.540
 a very definite

00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:58.240
 prediction of the

00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:58.760
 future that is

00:15:58.760 --> 00:15:59.320
 going to prove to

00:15:59.320 --> 00:15:59.940
 be true in a

00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.580
 matter of minutes.

00:16:02.280 --> 00:16:02.879
 Most of the

00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.460
 promises in the

00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:03.920
 Bible that we

00:16:03.920 --> 00:16:04.480
 have, you've

00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.280
 got to wait a

00:16:05.280 --> 00:16:05.760
 long, long

00:16:05.760 --> 00:16:06.300
 time for their

00:16:06.300 --> 00:16:06.600
 fulfillment.

00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.560
 But this

00:16:08.560 --> 00:16:09.500
 promise to the

00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:09.980
 disciples is going

00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.340
 to be fulfilled

00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:11.660
 in minutes.

00:16:13.160 --> 00:16:13.680
 So the

00:16:13.680 --> 00:16:14.980
 disciples might

00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:15.460
 have said to

00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:16.180
 themselves, he

00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:17.180
 is amazing.

00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:19.500
 Or look at

00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.139
 verse 2

00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:20.620
 again.

00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:21.680
 Go into the

00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:22.000
 village in

00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.360
 front of you

00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:22.920
 and immediately

00:16:22.920 --> 00:16:23.560
 as you enter

00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.340
 it, you will

00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.180
 find a colt

00:16:25.180 --> 00:16:26.360
 tied on which

00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:26.940
 no one has

00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:28.159
 ever sat, no

00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:28.500
 one has ever

00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:28.960
 ridden it.

00:16:30.920 --> 00:16:31.539
 And so my

00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:32.399
 reaction to

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.000
 that would be

00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.740
 don't attempt

00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:34.639
 to ride a

00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.320
 colt that has

00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:35.800
 never been

00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:36.340
 ridden on.

00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.039
 It's going to

00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:38.680
 be a disaster.

00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.980
 But Jesus is

00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:41.480
 Lord of all,

00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:41.759
 isn't it?

00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.100
 So it's no

00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:42.420
 problem.

00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:42.920
 Or look at

00:16:42.920 --> 00:16:43.500
 verse 3.

00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:45.360
 And if

00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:45.799
 anyone says

00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:45.980
 to you,

00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.259
 why are you

00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:46.720
 doing this?

00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:47.419
 Well, you

00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:47.720
 say to

00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.000
 them, the

00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.340
 Lord is

00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:48.679
 in need of

00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:49.659
 it and

00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.039
 we'll send

00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:50.360
 it back

00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.159
 here immediately.

00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:55.120
 And they

00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:55.659
 went away

00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:56.240
 and found a

00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:56.700
 colt tied

00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.559
 outside a

00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.620
 street and

00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:59.039
 they untied

00:16:59.039 --> 00:16:59.259
 it.

00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.720
 So they

00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:01.899
 turn up,

00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:02.379
 they start

00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:02.860
 untying the

00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.740
 donkey and

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.079
 the people

00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:04.880
 say, what

00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:05.059
 are you

00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:05.279
 doing?

00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:07.819
 And they

00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:09.319
 say, dot,

00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:09.480
 dot,

00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:09.779
 dot.

00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.399
 And the

00:17:11.399 --> 00:17:11.740
 owners of

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.039
 the donkey

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.519
 say, it's

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.879
 all yours.

00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.039
 It's all

00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:15.240
 yours.

00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:18.000
 In other

00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.559
 words, nobody

00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.359
 may be

00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:20.879
 listening to

00:17:20.879 --> 00:17:21.299
 the word of

00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:23.559
 God, but

00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.039
 the donkey

00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.920
 owners are

00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.319
 listening to

00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:26.639
 the word of

00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:26.859
 God.

00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.019
 When they

00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:30.759
 hear Jesus

00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.339
 needs it,

00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.279
 they say,

00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:33.519
 it's all

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:33.779
 yours.

00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.180
 They cooperate.

00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:37.460
 And the

00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:37.859
 fourth thing is

00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:38.379
 Jesus gives

00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:38.799
 them in verse

00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.200
 three, the

00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:39.559
 key to

00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:39.720
 who he

00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:39.879
 is.

00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.159
 Can you

00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:40.299
 see?

00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:40.720
 He says,

00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.339
 the Lord

00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:41.940
 needs it.

00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:43.879
 The Lord

00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:44.599
 needs it.

00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.879
 I want you

00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:48.299
 to know that

00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:48.980
 Jesus hardly

00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.419
 threw the

00:17:49.419 --> 00:17:49.819
 word Lord

00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:50.139
 around.

00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.019
 Most of

00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.299
 the time,

00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:52.799
 you'll know

00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:53.819
 that Jesus

00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:54.579
 called himself

00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:54.940
 the Son

00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.399
 of Man.

00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.079
 The Son

00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:57.419
 of Man is

00:17:57.419 --> 00:17:57.759
 one of those

00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.399
 phrases like

00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:59.139
 Clark Kent

00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:01.019
 or Peter

00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.839
 Parker, which

00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.480
 means a lot

00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:03.919
 if you're in

00:18:03.919 --> 00:18:04.299
 the know,

00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:04.779
 doesn't it?

00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.159
 But it

00:18:06.159 --> 00:18:06.480
 doesn't mean

00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:06.940
 anything if

00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:07.220
 you're not

00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.619
 in the know.

00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.259
 And the

00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:09.500
 Son of

00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:09.899
 Man was

00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:10.399
 a veiled

00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:11.419
 way of

00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:12.079
 saying, I

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.859
 am significant,

00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:13.299
 but I'm

00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:13.639
 not making

00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:13.960
 it too

00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.399
 obvious.

00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.240
 And here

00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.799
 he says,

00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:18.500
 though, the

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.299
 Lord needs

00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:19.500
 it.

00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.399
 And the

00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:22.099
 word Lord

00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:22.480
 is the

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.200
 word used

00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:23.779
 to describe

00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.159
 God.

00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:24.419
 And so

00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:25.440
 finally, as

00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:25.960
 Jesus is

00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.720
 entering into

00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.319
 Jerusalem, he

00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.139
 says to the

00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:28.720
 disciples, go

00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.259
 and speak to

00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:29.720
 these people

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.519
 and tell

00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:30.839
 them that

00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:32.000
 God needs

00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.539
 the donkey.

00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:35.000
 Jesus needs

00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.659
 the donkey.

00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:37.200
 And so

00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.779
 these owners

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.319
 of the donkey

00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:38.680
 get the

00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:38.960
 point.

00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:41.619
 But I

00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:41.980
 wonder whether

00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.500
 the disciples

00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:42.819
 got the

00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:43.019
 point.

00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.019
 Probably

00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.339
 not.

00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:46.980
 John tells

00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.299
 us, doesn't

00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:47.579
 he, they

00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:47.980
 didn't get

00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:48.359
 it as they

00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:48.879
 marched into

00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:49.220
 Jerusalem.

00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.559
 They hadn't

00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.019
 listened to

00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.500
 the Old

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:52.799
 Testament.

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.500
 They weren't

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.079
 listening to

00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.339
 Jesus.

00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:54.700
 They didn't

00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.000
 get it.

00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:55.819
 Jesus was

00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:56.399
 on a lonely

00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:56.899
 ride.

00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:57.680
 And even

00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.180
 though he'd

00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.539
 given them

00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:58.899
 a loving

00:18:58.899 --> 00:19:00.539
 word, he

00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:05.899
 now this

00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:06.700
 instruction is

00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.180
 given to

00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.079
 the disciples

00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.819
 and to

00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.379
 me and

00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:09.980
 to you

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:11.700
 to cause

00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.220
 you and

00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.619
 I to say

00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.059
 something like

00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.359
 this.

00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:14.819
 Jesus

00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:16.180
 Christ knows

00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:16.839
 what's in

00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.139
 front of

00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:17.379
 us.

00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.799
 He is in

00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.460
 charge of

00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:20.960
 the future.

00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.420
 Jesus

00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.740
 Christ controls

00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:26.200
 the uncontrollable

00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:27.240
 and his words

00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:27.639
 are to be

00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:28.180
 listened to.

00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:29.680
 And his

00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.059
 words are to

00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.619
 be trusted

00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:32.139
 and his

00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:32.519
 words are

00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:32.720
 to be

00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.200
 obeyed.

00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.079
 And he

00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:35.660
 describes

00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.599
 himself as

00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.299
 the Lord.

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.400
 And we

00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:39.700
 need to

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:39.960
 make a

00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.240
 decision.

00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.119
 What will

00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.779
 our family

00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.039
 do?

00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:42.500
 What will

00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.200
 we do

00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:43.779
 about

00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.259
 Jesus

00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.740
 Christ?

00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.619
 That's the

00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:46.099
 big question.

00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.079
 Will we

00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.599
 just say

00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:48.920
 he's a

00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.160
 prophet?

00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.240
 In which

00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.579
 case we

00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:51.879
 press the

00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.099
 point.

00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:53.920
 Will we

00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.579
 say he's

00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:54.799
 a good

00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.059
 man,

00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:55.299
 he's a

00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:55.519
 religious

00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:55.960
 leader?

00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:56.599
 In that

00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:56.940
 case we

00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.259
 press the

00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:57.480
 point.

00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.500
 Or will

00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.000
 we say

00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.900
 he is the

00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.180
 Lord?

00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:02.220
 God.

00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.560
 And our

00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:06.320
 family is

00:20:06.320 --> 00:20:06.980
 only going

00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.200
 to be

00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.940
 safe and

00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:08.759
 sound and

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.560
 wise and

00:20:09.560 --> 00:20:10.340
 well underneath

00:20:10.340 --> 00:20:11.259
 the Lordship

00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.140
 of Jesus

00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.539
 Christ.

00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.440
 And that

00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:15.880
 is the

00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:16.160
 decision,

00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.500
 isn't it?

00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:19.519
 But can

00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:19.920
 you notice

00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:20.600
 with me

00:20:20.600 --> 00:20:20.880
 here there's

00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:21.180
 a real

00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:21.759
 contrast.

00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:23.860
 The words

00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.720
 of men

00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:26.779
 and women

00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.900
 are really

00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.480
 empty.

00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:28.519
 empty.

00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.500
 The words

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:31.819
 of men

00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.039
 and women

00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:32.339
 in this

00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:32.779
 passage are

00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.019
 really

00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.440
 empty.

00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:35.579
 Even the

00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.279
 slogans,

00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:38.819
 the pious

00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.620
 slogans,

00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:40.420
 they are

00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.039
 empty.

00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:45.500
 And if you

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:45.839
 don't see

00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.259
 that Jesus

00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:46.920
 Christ and

00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.319
 his words

00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.120
 are crucial,

00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.059
 not only

00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.940
 the words

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.279
 of men

00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.640
 are so

00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:50.900
 empty,

00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.220
 but the

00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.559
 words of

00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:51.960
 Jesus are

00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.559
 so powerful,

00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.579
 so safe,

00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.099
 so true,

00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.360
 so foundational.

00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:58.039
 And so

00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.339
 isn't it

00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.679
 true that

00:20:58.679 --> 00:20:59.299
 you and

00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.699
 I, we

00:21:00.699 --> 00:21:01.199
 listen to

00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:02.099
 thousands of

00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:02.599
 words each

00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:05.339
 day, most

00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:05.679
 of which

00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:07.399
 are completely

00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:07.839
 useless.

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.719
 And in a

00:21:09.719 --> 00:21:10.339
 week's time,

00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.279
 no one will

00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:11.639
 pay the

00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.339
 blindness bit

00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:12.859
 of attention.

00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.399
 Just think

00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:15.039
 of the things

00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.419
 that are said

00:21:15.419 --> 00:21:16.079
 today,

00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:17.959
 and there

00:21:17.959 --> 00:21:18.219
 will be a

00:21:18.219 --> 00:21:18.579
 complete waste

00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.039
 of space

00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.879
 next week.

00:21:21.919 --> 00:21:22.539
 But the

00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:22.899
 words of

00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:23.459
 Jesus will

00:21:23.459 --> 00:21:24.059
 be utterly

00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.019
 necessary.

00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:25.919
 Next week.

00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:27.619
 And the

00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.059
 week after,

00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.439
 and the

00:21:29.439 --> 00:21:29.779
 week after

00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.039
 that.

00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:31.979
 And the

00:21:31.979 --> 00:21:32.419
 deeds of

00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:32.619
 men,

00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.199
 they're so

00:21:33.199 --> 00:21:33.519
 empty.

00:21:34.199 --> 00:21:34.679
 All these

00:21:34.679 --> 00:21:35.079
 religious

00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.619
 actions,

00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.119
 all these

00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:36.740
 waving of

00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.439
 palm branches,

00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:37.939
 all these

00:21:37.939 --> 00:21:38.519
 throwing of

00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:38.919
 cloaks,

00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.279
 there's no

00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:40.959
 clue as to

00:21:40.959 --> 00:21:41.299
 who Jesus

00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:41.759
 is.

00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:43.719
 But when

00:21:43.719 --> 00:21:44.179
 you are lit

00:21:44.179 --> 00:21:44.740
 up by the

00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.259
 person of

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.699
 Jesus,

00:21:46.459 --> 00:21:47.839
 suddenly

00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.459
 everything

00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:49.119
 starts to

00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:49.659
 make sense.

00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:52.959
 And you

00:21:52.959 --> 00:21:54.019
 understand that

00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.639
 your future

00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.220
 is under

00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:55.740
 control,

00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:57.800
 and you

00:21:57.800 --> 00:21:58.360
 have promises

00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:59.160
 to stand

00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.500
 on,

00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.460
 and his

00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.580
 deeds make

00:22:01.580 --> 00:22:02.380
 your deeds

00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:03.120
 worthwhile.

00:22:05.040 --> 00:22:05.560
 And so

00:22:05.560 --> 00:22:06.300
 Jesus is on

00:22:06.300 --> 00:22:07.160
 a very lonely

00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:07.560
 road,

00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:07.920
 and he's on

00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.340
 a lonely

00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:09.040
 road for a

00:22:09.040 --> 00:22:09.420
 reason.

00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:10.840
 And he is

00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:11.420
 the only one

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.020
 that understands

00:22:12.020 --> 00:22:12.440
 his mission.

00:22:12.560 --> 00:22:12.920
 He is the

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.360
 only one that

00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:14.000
 can do his

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.300
 mission,

00:22:14.780 --> 00:22:15.500
 and within a

00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:15.980
 week he will

00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.480
 be completely

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:16.820
 alone.

00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:19.759
 He will not

00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.280
 even have the

00:22:20.280 --> 00:22:20.800
 fellowship of

00:22:20.800 --> 00:22:21.220
 his father

00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:21.620
 anymore.

00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:23.679
 he'll be

00:22:23.679 --> 00:22:24.000
 on the

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.459
 cross and

00:22:24.459 --> 00:22:24.699
 he will

00:22:24.699 --> 00:22:25.119
 cry out,

00:22:25.199 --> 00:22:25.599
 my God,

00:22:25.659 --> 00:22:26.039
 my God,

00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:26.500
 why have

00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.359
 you forsaken

00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.859
 me?

00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.699
 Because he

00:22:29.699 --> 00:22:30.179
 is going to

00:22:30.179 --> 00:22:30.939
 experience the

00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:32.259
 darkness that

00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.739
 our sin

00:22:32.739 --> 00:22:35.179
 deserves in

00:22:35.179 --> 00:22:35.619
 order to

00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:35.919
 give us

00:22:35.919 --> 00:22:36.919
 freely the

00:22:36.919 --> 00:22:37.659
 salvation that

00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:38.419
 he deserves.

00:22:40.679 --> 00:22:41.279
 And so let

00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:41.659
 me ask you

00:22:41.659 --> 00:22:41.939
 tonight,

00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.939
 are you like

00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:44.419
 the crowds?

00:22:45.479 --> 00:22:46.219
 A bit of a

00:22:46.219 --> 00:22:47.599
 song when we

00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:47.859
 sing?

00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.799
 A bit of a

00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.079
 listen?

00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.500
 A bit of a

00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:52.099
 song,

00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:52.559
 but no

00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:52.899
 change.

00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:56.259
 Or are you

00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.979
 really hearing

00:22:56.979 --> 00:22:58.199
 the words of

00:22:58.199 --> 00:22:58.739
 God that

00:22:58.739 --> 00:22:59.639
 Jesus is the

00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:00.279
 King and

00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.759
 the Saviour

00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.219
 and he is

00:23:01.219 --> 00:23:01.859
 the key to

00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.259
 the future

00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:02.659
 and the

00:23:02.659 --> 00:23:03.059
 Lord of

00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.559
 your life?

00:23:05.439 --> 00:23:06.119
 And you

00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:06.719
 need to

00:23:06.719 --> 00:23:07.859
 surrender to

00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.399
 him and

00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:08.979
 to trust

00:23:08.979 --> 00:23:09.319
 him.

00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:12.219
 Let me

00:23:12.219 --> 00:23:12.659
 tell you what

00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.219
 Jesus Christ

00:23:13.219 --> 00:23:13.599
 is like.

00:23:13.659 --> 00:23:14.299
 He goes on

00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:14.799
 a lonely

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.819
 road right

00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.699
 to the

00:23:16.699 --> 00:23:19.159
 end to

00:23:19.159 --> 00:23:19.719
 make sure

00:23:19.719 --> 00:23:20.239
 that you

00:23:20.239 --> 00:23:20.819
 and I

00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.359
 can have

00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:21.879
 a certain

00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:22.539
 future.

00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.399
 And he

00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:24.879
 gives a

00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.679
 loving word

00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:26.299
 to you.

00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.539
 He's

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.179
 promised

00:23:28.179 --> 00:23:30.179
 so that

00:23:30.179 --> 00:23:31.199
 you and I

00:23:31.199 --> 00:23:31.879
 can have

00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:32.799
 a certain

00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.299
 presence.

00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.919
 Right now,

00:23:36.719 --> 00:23:37.819
 let's thank

00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.039
 him.

00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.799
 Let's bow

00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.159
 our heads.

00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:41.459
 Let's

00:23:41.459 --> 00:23:41.199
 bow our heads.

00:23:41.200 --> 00:24:11.180
 Thank you.