WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 Now, can we read together once again in our Bibles from John chapter 12? 00:00:07.419 --> 00:00:11.099 We're going to read from verse 12 to verse 19. 00:00:14.980 --> 00:00:19.000 As we think about welcoming Jesus, God's humble king. 00:00:19.539 --> 00:00:25.740 The next day, the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 00:00:25.739 --> 00:00:30.619 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, Hosanna! 00:00:31.439 --> 00:00:36.019 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the king of Israel. 00:00:36.979 --> 00:00:40.640 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:46.980 Do not be afraid, daughter Zion. See, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt. 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:50.759 At first, his disciples did not understand all this. 00:00:50.759 --> 00:00:56.420 Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him 00:00:56.420 --> 00:00:58.719 and that these things had been done to him. 00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:03.399 Now, the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead 00:01:03.399 --> 00:01:04.879 continued to spread the word. 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:09.680 Many people, because they'd heard that he'd performed the sign, went out to meet him. 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:12.099 So the Pharisees said to one another, 00:01:12.099 --> 00:01:14.979 See, this is getting us nowhere. 00:01:15.899 --> 00:01:21.500 Look how the whole world has gone after him. 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:26.500 So we'll think about that section together, 00:01:26.679 --> 00:01:29.099 recognizing as we begin that how we welcome someone 00:01:29.099 --> 00:01:35.619 often reflects a signal of the honor and value we place upon them. 00:01:35.620 --> 00:01:42.100 And as we think about Christmas, we need to recognize the great truth that God the Father 00:01:42.100 --> 00:01:49.280 wants his son to be honored, wants his son to receive a welcome and to receive worship. 00:01:49.480 --> 00:01:53.580 And we know this as we think about the familiar stories of Christmas. 00:01:53.580 --> 00:01:55.920 We think about the joyful welcome. 00:01:57.100 --> 00:02:00.980 The angels singing in heaven, the shepherds rushing to worship, 00:02:00.980 --> 00:02:05.700 Simeon joyfully holding Jesus in the temple. 00:02:05.820 --> 00:02:11.219 We think about the great messages that are announced about the kind of king Jesus had come to be. 00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:12.580 He's in the line of David. 00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:19.020 He's come to fulfill all those great promises of the king who would rule and reign for God forever. 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:21.400 He's come to be the Savior. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:29.300 He's come as Messiah, God's anointed, chosen king, to be his agent of salvation. 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:33.260 And he's come not just for some, but he's come to be the king for the world. 00:02:33.380 --> 00:02:37.140 And we see that as the Magi come to worship him that Christmas. 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:41.280 And now, as we come to John 12, and we're just a few days away from his death, 00:02:41.320 --> 00:02:44.360 we see those same themes emerge. 00:02:46.200 --> 00:02:48.500 And we see a massive crowd gathering. 00:02:49.080 --> 00:02:52.500 And in their words, they are praising King Jesus. 00:02:53.040 --> 00:02:57.220 They declare him as the promised Savior King. 00:02:57.219 --> 00:03:03.180 And we hear even his enemies recognize this is a king not just for some, but king for the whole world. 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:07.620 God wants his son to be honored and to receive a welcome. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:11.199 And so the question we'll ask ourselves as we think about this text is, 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:13.520 what welcome do we give? 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:15.099 What worship do we offer? 00:03:15.240 --> 00:03:18.340 What honor do we place on Jesus? 00:03:18.340 --> 00:03:23.560 Because our text reminds us that because Jesus is God's Savior King for the world, 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:27.740 we should all joyfully welcome and worship him. 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:35.219 So let's think, first of all, about the welcome that Jesus receives in verses 12 and 13. 00:03:36.379 --> 00:03:41.140 We are reminded that this is still in the context of the festival, the Passover festival. 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:45.839 So a huge crowd is beginning to flock to Jerusalem. 00:03:46.579 --> 00:03:53.259 Josephus, the Jewish historian, reckons maybe over two million people might come to Jerusalem for this festival. 00:03:53.699 --> 00:03:56.879 A time of great celebration, also a time of national hope. 00:03:57.839 --> 00:04:00.479 Every year wondering, will there be a new exodus this year? 00:04:01.119 --> 00:04:03.859 Will God send us a king who will free us from Rome this year? 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:09.120 And so national expectations then become centered on Jesus. 00:04:09.300 --> 00:04:13.320 Now two details to notice in verse 12 and 13. 00:04:13.940 --> 00:04:17.139 Let's think about the palms and let's think about the psalms. 00:04:17.259 --> 00:04:21.240 So in verse 13, they took palm branches as they went out to meet Jesus. 00:04:21.400 --> 00:04:23.379 And so we need to ask, maybe you've asked yourself the question, 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:24.780 why palm branches? 00:04:24.900 --> 00:04:26.259 What's that about? 00:04:27.080 --> 00:04:31.660 Is this the equivalent of, you know, first century fireworks or rolling out the red carpet? 00:04:31.660 --> 00:04:33.540 Or is there something more? 00:04:34.580 --> 00:04:38.439 Well, two historical facts that might help to give us a bit more insight. 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:45.840 One, back in 141 BC, there was a guy by the name of Simon Maccabeus. 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:54.240 And Simon Maccabeus led, I guess, an uprising against the Syrian empire who had taken over Jerusalem and the temple. 00:04:54.600 --> 00:04:57.720 And he booted them out of Jerusalem. 00:04:57.720 --> 00:05:02.300 And when Simon came back into Jerusalem, he received this hero's parade. 00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:06.920 And he was greeted with singing and with people waving palm branches. 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:08.240 So that's 141 BC. 00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:18.819 And then, in the 60s AD, there was another group of Jews that sought to revolt and get rid of the Roman Empire once again. 00:05:19.200 --> 00:05:22.860 And when they had temporary success, what they did was they minted some coins. 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:24.759 And on those coins, what did they put? 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:26.819 They put palm branches. 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:37.259 And so there's something in the Jewish, my Jewish understanding that is connecting the palm branch with this symbol of military triumph and victory and freedom. 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:40.980 And so there is significance in the way Jesus is being welcomed. 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:42.099 Hope is high. 00:05:43.219 --> 00:05:45.379 Here is Jesus and he does miracles. 00:05:45.539 --> 00:05:46.659 And so there's the expectation. 00:05:46.899 --> 00:05:50.360 This, this one is the national deliverer. 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:53.699 And, of course, we understand in Jesus' teachers. 00:05:53.819 --> 00:06:00.699 Yes, he has come to be saviour, deliverer, but not in a political way, rather in a spiritual way. 00:06:01.259 --> 00:06:04.000 So there's the palms, but then there's also the psalms. 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:09.539 So there's shouting, Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, blessed is the king of Israel. 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:14.079 And so we need to ask ourselves why these particular shouts on this particular day. 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:17.079 Well, a little bit more history and background. 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:20.860 When the Jews would gather for the Feast of Tabernacles and the Passover, 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:27.279 each morning as they would congregate at the temple, they'd be singing Psalms 113 to 118, 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:30.679 which we just sang, Psalm 118. 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:35.839 And so the first cry there, Hosanna, which means give salvation now, 00:06:36.859 --> 00:06:38.579 we find that in verse 26. 00:06:39.599 --> 00:06:42.019 And blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, 00:06:42.479 --> 00:06:45.579 we find that in verse 25 of Psalm 118. 00:06:46.679 --> 00:06:50.819 These words of welcome for a Messiah king. 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:54.319 So the praises they were singing in the temple in the morning 00:06:54.319 --> 00:07:00.219 are the praises they now use of Jesus as he arrives into the city. 00:07:02.099 --> 00:07:06.620 So let's just take a little pause and let's think about this for ourselves. 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:08.939 Our welcome, our worship. 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:10.899 Three observations. 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:13.459 And the first one would be this. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:18.740 When it comes to worship, we need to let God's word guide us. 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:24.079 When we think about all the vital questions that are connected to faith and to religion, 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:25.639 is there a God who is Jesus? 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:26.639 Why did he come? 00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:30.819 We know, I am sure, that there are so many voices, 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:34.060 so many places, so many so-called experts. 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:36.900 You can go on YouTube or if you read social media, 00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:41.519 you can go to a bookstore and you will find people claiming all kinds of truth. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:48.099 And what God's church needs to do is we need to make sure that in all of those voices 00:07:48.099 --> 00:07:54.659 that the word of God is our decisive final authority for how we understand 00:07:54.659 --> 00:07:58.060 who our God is and what he has done and how we worship him. 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:05.000 Because who we listen to will have that impact of discipling us, 00:08:05.359 --> 00:08:08.639 giving us an understanding, give us an image of what God is like. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:15.019 And if it's not rooted in God's word, then it will be defective and it will be unacceptable to God. 00:08:15.919 --> 00:08:18.199 Think about questions for the life of faith. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:21.060 How are we to praise God? 00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:22.300 How are we to pray to God? 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:26.300 Where do I go to find wisdom from God? 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:27.699 How do I live to please God? 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:31.479 Again, all of those questions we take to the word of God. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:35.620 We find our guidance and direction from a God who speaks, 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:37.879 from a God of revelation. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:43.919 But really interesting that the crowds were singing truth together in the morning 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:48.439 and that led them naturally to express that truth when Jesus came in the afternoon. 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:53.319 I think very practically as God's people, 00:08:53.919 --> 00:08:57.080 it's a reminder of the value of beginning the day with God's word. 00:08:58.139 --> 00:09:02.139 Of storing up that word in our heart, of meditating on it, of praying it through, 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:09.399 of carrying it with us, to let God's word shape our day and how we approach it. 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:17.259 Another thing that we can say from this crowd, and this needs us to sort of move beyond John 12, 00:09:17.819 --> 00:09:20.699 is that we need to beware of wrong ways to welcome Jesus. 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:25.440 Because many in this crowd who sound so excited now, 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:27.920 are wrong on Jesus' identity. 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:29.879 Expect him to be a certain kind of saviour. 00:09:29.940 --> 00:09:32.160 When they don't get that, they'll reject Jesus. 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:37.259 So a wrong way to welcome Jesus is to imagine, 00:09:37.400 --> 00:09:40.360 well, if I accept Jesus, then he'll then serve my agenda. 00:09:40.360 --> 00:09:44.700 Here's Jesus, he'll answer my questions and he'll meet my needs 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:48.159 and he'll sort of bring me what I'm looking for. 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:51.440 But we need to understand, and we see this from the crowds, 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:54.259 that Jesus is determined to follow his Father's will. 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:58.320 He's not here to please human expectations. 00:09:59.060 --> 00:10:02.720 They wanted someone who would fight the Romans and get rid of Caesar. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:08.460 And so we need to be very careful to humble ourselves, 00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:14.200 rather than to say, I'll accept Jesus if he serves my needs. 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:21.580 I think another wrong way to welcome Jesus that we see so often in the crowds in Jesus' day, 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:27.360 it is to admire Jesus, but never to truly worship. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:31.420 There's so much of Jesus to admire in people who are not Christians, 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:34.339 people even of other faiths, find there is much to admire of Jesus 00:10:34.339 --> 00:10:35.839 in his teaching and his character. 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:39.759 And on top of that, we'll find some people who love theology, 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:44.839 who love big ideas, and thinking about the complexities of big ideas about God. 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:49.179 But there's a big difference between knowing about God and knowing God, 00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:51.579 between knowing about Jesus and knowing him personally. 00:10:53.099 --> 00:10:55.139 Jesus says there's one thing that we need to do, 00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:57.179 and that's to believe in him. 00:10:57.179 --> 00:11:01.639 The invitation is to follow him. 00:11:02.579 --> 00:11:07.419 Our willingness is to be ready to carry our cross, to follow him. 00:11:07.459 --> 00:11:09.459 And all of that says there's a personal commitment, 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:13.679 there's a personal involvement, there's a level of sacrifice. 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:16.500 So it's not enough simply to admire Jesus. 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:19.759 We need to submit to him as king and to worship him. 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:25.679 And then the third thing to say at this point is, 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:30.439 it's so important that we center our life on Jesus the king, 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:32.819 to recognize that he is the one we need, 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:36.360 and to recognize that he meets our greatest needs. 00:11:36.439 --> 00:11:39.460 So again, many in the crowd thought their greatest need was political freedom. 00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:43.480 We might have our ideas of, here's what we need individually or as a society, 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:46.279 here's our greatest need, here's our list of great needs. 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:51.339 But the Bible would always say our great and ultimate need is for atonement. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:57.019 What we need is that there would be someone who would wash us from our sin. 00:11:57.959 --> 00:12:02.399 That there would be one who would take from us the just anger of God, 00:12:02.459 --> 00:12:04.620 who would divert it away from us. 00:12:04.699 --> 00:12:08.600 One who would restore peace and fellowship between us and God. 00:12:08.699 --> 00:12:10.579 And that is what Jesus came to do. 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:14.639 Jesus was born in order to go to the cross, 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:17.639 in order to make atonement for our sin. 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:19.580 That's our great need. 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:25.280 And here we are reminded too in our text that Jesus is our great hope, 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:28.240 because Jesus is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:31.560 Jesus is the one who brings salvation now. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:36.420 And the wonderful thing about Jesus is that he still comes to his people. 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:40.019 He comes to make us home in our hearts. 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:44.399 He comes so that we might live in the overflow of his wonderful love. 00:12:44.479 --> 00:12:47.199 He comes to supply us with his strength by his spirit. 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:53.120 And so there is good news in the fact that we have a king who saves and a king who comes. 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:59.759 When we're confronted perhaps by our past sins and our feelings of guilt, 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:07.500 we remember that King Jesus came to pay the price in full to wash us from all of our sins. 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:12.240 And he would come to us and say that the payment has been made. 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:19.659 That we look to the cross and we remind ourselves that we are loved and accepted by God 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:22.279 because of what Jesus has done. 00:13:23.819 --> 00:13:28.700 Perhaps in all the joys and the chaos, the excitement, the busyness of everyday life, 00:13:28.700 --> 00:13:32.140 we need to remember that Jesus comes to be with us. 00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:36.300 And he would give us grace and he would give us wisdom and he would give us help for each moment. 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:43.800 And as we think about the future, which sometimes can feel so uncertain and perhaps even scary, 00:13:43.900 --> 00:13:48.160 we remember the coming of Jesus for our future hope and glory. 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:55.080 We are reminded in just a couple of chapters that the same Jesus who came once will come again in his glory 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:58.120 and he will come to take his people to be with him forever. 00:13:59.220 --> 00:14:04.879 So we're invited to center our life on Jesus, the Savior King. 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:07.060 What kind of king is Jesus? 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:10.780 Let's think next about Jesus, the humble king. 00:14:12.420 --> 00:14:17.060 So here is Jesus, hundreds of thousands of people around him, in front of him, 00:14:17.180 --> 00:14:19.520 facing huge expectations as well. 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:22.500 How does Jesus arrive in the city? 00:14:22.699 --> 00:14:27.519 There's two surprises that we can find here in our section. 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:32.659 First, in chapter 11 and verse 54, we learn this. 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:34.679 It says, 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:39.220 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:43.860 Instead, he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:47.100 to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:51.639 So we're moving from here's Jesus withdrawing to the wilderness, 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:54.040 to a private place, 00:14:54.040 --> 00:14:58.980 to now making a very deliberate, public, bold entry into Jerusalem. 00:14:59.060 --> 00:15:00.980 We need to ask ourselves, why the change? 00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:02.259 Why has that happened? 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:07.360 And the answer is because Jesus knows his hour has come, 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:10.820 the hour of his rejection and suffering and death, 00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:15.379 but also the hour of his being glorified and resurrected and returning to heaven. 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:17.519 The hour is now. 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:20.620 And so Jesus embraces that in obedience to his father, 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.299 and he comes publicly. 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:28.399 But the other surprise is Jesus' choice of transport, isn't it? 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:29.559 Verse 14, 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:34.259 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it. 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:37.100 Just as a by-the-by, 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:40.679 we probably all have our stories of brushes with fame. 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:44.480 When we were flying out for our honeymoon, 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:46.840 easy jet flight from Inverness to London, 00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:49.899 we shared it with none other than Ross Kemp from EastEnders. 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:50.559 Wow. 00:15:50.559 --> 00:16:01.639 Is Jesus just choosing a mode of transport that shows that he identifies with the poor people of the day, 00:16:01.839 --> 00:16:05.119 that he's ready to fly coach, as it were? 00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:09.299 Or is there something more that's taking place here? 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:16.959 And I think we understand and we can see that there's more that's going on in the mind of Jesus and in this story. 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:20.939 Let's think about the parable that's taking place here. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:23.019 This is an acted parable. 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:26.319 As Jesus finds this young donkey and rides in, 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:29.219 this is a very deliberate choice. 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:35.459 The other Gospels tell us Jesus has deliberately sought out this young donkey to ride on, 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:37.720 not a war horse. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.720 You know, you're deliverer kings. 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:44.080 They come in glory and splendor and pomp and ceremony. 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:46.660 They come riding mighty beasts. 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:49.879 Jesus has a lesson to teach in this. 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:52.220 He wants to remove, on the one hand, false hopes. 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:55.940 He's not come for political freedom, but spiritual freedom. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:00.040 He's come as the prince of peace. 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:03.480 He's come to make peace between sinners and God. 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:06.019 He's not come to wage war on Rome. 00:17:06.860 --> 00:17:14.539 And there's also a lesson in this journey because it so well reflects the life of Jesus on earth. 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:17.660 From the cradle to the cross, what do we see of Jesus? 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.480 We see humility. 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:23.940 We see a humble saviour king. 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:29.019 But there's more than just a parable going on here. 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:32.360 There's also prophecy being fulfilled. 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:34.580 That's why it says, verse 14, 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.480 As it is written, 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.759 Do not be afraid, daughter Zion. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:43.759 See, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:55.619 So, Jesus, as he seeks out the young donkey, is seeking to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9. 00:17:56.059 --> 00:18:02.559 Now, often, when a New Testament author quotes a little bit of a section of the Old Testament, 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:06.119 we are intended to think more widely. 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:09.619 What's the context surrounding that quote? 00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:13.279 So, if you've got a Bible, paper, or on a device, 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:17.419 you might want to turn back to Zechariah 9 just for a few minutes 00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:22.259 to just think about what's being said deliberately by Jesus 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:26.500 as he comes riding this young donkey. 00:18:27.699 --> 00:18:29.439 So, in verse 9 of Zechariah 9, 00:18:29.939 --> 00:18:30.699 we read, 00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:33.039 Rejoice greatly, shout, daughter Jerusalem. 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.039 And that's what we're seeing, isn't it? 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:36.399 Triumphal entry, praising the king. 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:38.960 See, your king comes to you, 00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:41.380 righteous and victorious, 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:44.780 lowly and riding on a donkey. 00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:48.720 So, Jesus is announcing that he is the righteous king, 00:18:48.800 --> 00:18:49.860 he's the victorious king, 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:53.060 but he's also telling us about his nature, 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:55.700 that he's a lowly, humble king. 00:18:55.780 --> 00:18:58.240 Just as when Jesus, the one time in the Bible, 00:18:58.320 --> 00:19:00.180 he speaks about his own heart, Matthew 11, 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:03.640 he talks about his heart being gentle and lowly, 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:05.660 the one who's come to give rest. 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:07.600 It's the kind of king we have, 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:09.519 a lowly, humble king. 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:11.240 Then verse 10, 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:14.060 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim 00:19:14.060 --> 00:19:15.560 and the war horses from Jerusalem. 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:19.200 What is Jesus wanting us to understand about him? 00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:21.720 Now he has come to end war. 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:25.100 And again, maybe some in the crowd would misunderstand 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:27.060 and think, great, he comes to defeat Rome, 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:30.619 but he's come to bring that physical, 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:34.819 not physical, but spiritual end to war, 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:37.779 that he has come to wage war against Satan 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:41.059 and against sin and against death there on the cross 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:46.259 to conquer over those great enemies of ours. 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:48.839 And to conquer them, 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:52.000 and the proof of that conquering is the resurrection. 00:19:55.379 --> 00:19:56.559 Jesus also, 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.519 and it says here in verse 10, 00:19:58.619 --> 00:20:00.420 he will proclaim peace to the nations. 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:02.480 His rule will extend from sea to sea. 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:06.759 Jesus wants us to understand that he has come to bring peace 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:08.140 to the nations. 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:11.960 He's come to rule as ruler over all the nations. 00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:13.240 He's come to bring peace. 00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:15.460 He's come to bring wholeness and completeness 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:18.040 and a restored relationship to God. 00:20:18.100 --> 00:20:22.640 And he opens the way for all to come through him. 00:20:23.560 --> 00:20:26.740 And then in verse 11 of Zechariah 9, 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:27.920 as for you, 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.840 because of the blood of my covenant with you, 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:33.920 I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:37.660 So this king is associated with the blood of the covenant. 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:39.779 And then what happens just a few days later 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:43.580 is we find Jesus sitting down in an upper room 00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:45.440 to share the Passover meal, 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:47.820 which becomes the last supper, 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.840 the Lord's supper, 00:20:48.840 --> 00:20:51.000 when he takes the bread and he says, 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:55.340 this broken bread is my body broken for you. 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.820 And then he takes the cup, 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.540 this cup, 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:59.759 this blood is this wine 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:02.820 that represents the blood of the covenant, 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:07.000 a blood that would be shed for his people. 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:10.660 And so here is Jesus, 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:11.900 our king, 00:21:12.580 --> 00:21:15.340 and he knows full well 00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:17.600 that as our substitute, 00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:21.420 he has come to be the sacrifice 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.880 to take away sin. 00:21:24.320 --> 00:21:27.840 That he has come to be slaughtered 00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:31.000 so that we might be saved. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.640 Now the disciples, 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.799 back to John 12, 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:35.880 the disciples don't understand this at first, 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.759 verse 16, 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:39.200 only after Jesus was glorified 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:41.039 did they realize these things 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.980 had been written about him 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:43.299 and done to him. 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:47.319 So there's something in the death of Jesus 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:49.380 that represents the turning point 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:52.400 in his life on earth. 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:55.100 That's why Philippians 2 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:57.080 is so important for us to hear. 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.700 To hear of Jesus, 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:00.740 the humble servant king 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:02.600 who became obedient to death, 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:04.560 even to death on a cross. 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:06.140 But then in the turn, 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.220 what happens? 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:09.620 Because God is pleased with him 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:11.080 and God accepts the sacrifice 00:22:11.080 --> 00:22:11.860 and he is vindicated, 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:14.259 then he is exalted to the highest place. 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.340 Then he's given the name 00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:17.460 that's above every name, 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:19.180 that every knee will bow 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:20.420 and every tongue will confess 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:21.920 that Jesus is Lord. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.820 There is a day coming 00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:25.320 when we will all stand before Jesus 00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:26.720 in all of his glory 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:28.560 and we will all bow our knees 00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:29.800 and we will all confess 00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:31.300 that Jesus is Lord. 00:22:32.600 --> 00:22:34.380 Some of us will do that gladly. 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.460 Our Saviour has come. 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:41.200 Others will do it to receive his judgment. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:45.060 So important to respond now 00:22:45.060 --> 00:22:47.000 to Jesus as Lord. 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:49.519 Now do you just think 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.839 for a couple of minutes 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:53.000 about the pattern of Jesus 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:54.039 and what does this pattern 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.680 say to us? 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.059 It's basically, 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:57.839 what does it say to us 00:22:57.839 --> 00:22:58.680 about how to live 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.160 the Christian life? 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.799 Again, we read Philippians 2 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.299 and we're told 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.859 to have the same mindset 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:05.900 as the Lord Jesus. 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.940 So Jesus is our model 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:12.900 when it comes to humility. 00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:15.420 Let's think about 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:17.460 our relationships for a moment. 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:19.640 we're being encouraged 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.940 as those who are followers 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:22.440 of Jesus Christ 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:24.440 to live and to speak 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.900 differently, 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:27.940 to take a humble 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.940 and a gentle posture 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.840 towards others 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:33.240 in our homes, 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:34.759 in our workplaces, 00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.620 in our community. 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:37.720 And we're called to that 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.680 in the context of 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:40.579 where we find ourselves now, 00:23:40.620 --> 00:23:42.100 a world that's very polarized, 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.819 a whole number of issues 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:45.740 where people are really quick 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.559 to be angry 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.240 and impatient 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.500 and judgmental, 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:50.259 especially with the separation 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.919 that the internet provides. 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.919 But we are called 00:23:53.919 --> 00:23:54.779 to be different 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:56.960 in our words, 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:57.379 actions, 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.259 and attitudes. 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.619 And that's to be true 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.980 for us in church 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.919 in the way that we deal 00:24:02.919 --> 00:24:03.779 with one another 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:06.059 and that's to be true 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.839 also in our dealings 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:10.079 in the world. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.899 to think about 00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:12.740 which pattern 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:14.519 defines 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:16.319 how I deal 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:18.019 with my relationships. 00:24:18.199 --> 00:24:19.259 Is it the pattern 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:20.379 of the world? 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.960 We're in it 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.659 for what we want 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:23.159 and we're pursuing 00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:23.679 our agenda, 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.159 are we? 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.939 Patterning our lives 00:24:25.939 --> 00:24:26.679 on Jesus, 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:27.399 humble 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:28.599 and gentle. 00:24:30.299 --> 00:24:30.699 Also, 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.220 when we think about 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.379 the journey of Jesus, 00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:34.079 I think it helps us 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:36.439 to begin 00:24:36.439 --> 00:24:36.960 to consider 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:37.759 our own pride 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.339 and to think about 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:40.200 how to put it today. 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.859 Because isn't the gospel, 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.920 the gospel should always 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:44.640 be killing our pride. 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:47.119 Here is Jesus, 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.079 he's left the glory 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.619 of heaven 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:50.500 to become one of us, 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.500 to die for us 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:51.879 because 00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:53.759 the only way 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:55.000 that we can be saved 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:57.000 is for us to have 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.379 the God-man 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.319 as our 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.400 saviour, 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.299 as our representative, 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.400 as our sacrifice. 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.720 We are so bad 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:06.420 that there is no other 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.660 way of hope 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.680 for us. 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.360 So there is no room 00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:11.539 for pride 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.539 in the Christian life, 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:12.860 rather, 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.140 there is humility 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.200 and there's grateful worship 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:16.400 for what Jesus has done. 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:19.019 And then when we think 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:20.100 about our lives 00:25:20.100 --> 00:25:20.980 of discipleship, 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:22.080 of being followers 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:22.640 of Jesus, 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.880 I guess it makes us 00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:24.320 ask the question, 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.000 what journey 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:26.000 should we expect 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.779 as we see Jesus 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.500 here on the journey 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.640 ultimately to the cross? 00:25:32.080 --> 00:25:32.480 See, 00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:33.440 we find teaching 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.080 in the world, 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:34.779 perhaps we've heard 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.960 of the prosperity gospel, 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.720 believing Jesus, 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:37.500 having our faith 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:37.920 and health 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.380 and wealth 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:38.880 and happiness 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.600 was all bound 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.360 to be yours. 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.340 That was never 00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:43.380 the pattern of Jesus. 00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:46.940 The pattern of Jesus 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.519 tells us 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.460 we can expect 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.279 suffering first 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.380 with glory to follow. 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.180 And so we need 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.980 to have that realism 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.400 about the Christian life. 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.880 But also when we think 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.860 about our discipleship, 00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.500 doesn't the journey 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.460 of Jesus help us 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.079 in our worship? 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.960 He is the eternal 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.920 Son of God 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:06.100 who left the riches 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:06.720 of heaven 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:09.860 in order to 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:11.180 love us this way. 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.259 That we would reflect 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:14.920 on that, 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.039 that we might be amazed 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:17.060 by his grace, 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.960 that it might fuel 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.600 our worship. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.460 Last thing to think 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:22.720 about, 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:24.160 the wonderful reality 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.060 that Jesus is king 00:26:25.060 --> 00:26:25.700 for the world. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.840 Verses 17 to 19. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.660 Again, notice 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.800 that there are 00:26:29.800 --> 00:26:31.220 two crowds here. 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.920 there's the crowd 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.799 that was with Jesus 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.839 when he called Lazarus 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.400 from the tomb. 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.680 And they're continuing 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.579 to spread the word. 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:39.360 Excitement is building. 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:40.720 The news is spreading 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:43.160 about King Jesus, 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.779 the one who is 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.460 the resurrection 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:44.960 and the life. 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.720 And then there's 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.380 this other crowd. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.559 They've come out 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.519 from Jerusalem. 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:48.960 They're here 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.860 for the festival. 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:50.920 The reputation of Jesus 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.620 has been spreading 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.500 and so they come 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:54.420 to meet Jesus. 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:57.920 I don't want to push 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:58.580 this too far 00:26:58.580 --> 00:27:01.120 but what we see 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.960 at the cross 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.620 and what we see 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:04.019 in the church as well 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:06.480 is that any crowd 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:09.519 is often a mixed crowd. 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.060 There are some 00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:11.259 who truly worship 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.620 Jesus in this crowd. 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.900 Others who will 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:14.600 within days 00:27:14.600 --> 00:27:15.320 be crying, 00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:16.500 crucify him. 00:27:16.560 --> 00:27:17.720 We have no king 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:19.840 but Caesar. 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:23.199 So there's two crowds 00:27:23.199 --> 00:27:24.619 going on 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:26.019 but there's also 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.779 two phrases 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.759 from the Pharisees 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.720 that I was to think about. 00:27:28.939 --> 00:27:29.839 The Pharisees are saying 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.419 to one another 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:31.740 first of all 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:33.259 see this is getting us 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.779 nowhere. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.699 So we're being reminded 00:27:35.699 --> 00:27:36.819 that despite 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:38.459 their worst efforts 00:27:38.459 --> 00:27:40.899 to get rid of Jesus 00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:41.899 confronting him, 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.759 accusing him, 00:27:42.879 --> 00:27:43.619 trying to trap him 00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:44.399 with their words 00:27:44.399 --> 00:27:46.579 of wanting to arrest him, 00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:47.799 trying to have him stoned. 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.559 Despite all of that 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.759 they cannot stop 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.440 King Jesus. 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.700 They cannot derail 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:54.299 the Father's plan 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:55.619 for Jesus. 00:27:57.419 --> 00:27:58.740 And then they say 00:27:58.740 --> 00:28:01.399 look how the whole world 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:03.759 has gone after him. 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:06.019 So many times 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.619 in the Gospels 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:07.519 we find people saying 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.759 far more than they 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:11.119 ever intended to say. 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:14.119 The whole world 00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:15.319 has gone after him. 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.960 They see this huge crowd 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.960 coming out of Jerusalem 00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:19.860 and they're despairing. 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.880 Ah, we really need 00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:22.279 to get rid of Jesus. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.700 They imagine the crowd 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.740 representing the world. 00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:27.039 Indeed, in verse 20 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:28.059 which we didn't read 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:29.779 we find there were 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.460 some Greeks 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.460 among those 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:31.980 who went up 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.660 to worship 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:35.180 at the festival. 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.819 But when the fantasies 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:39.100 say look how the whole world 00:28:39.100 --> 00:28:39.860 has gone after him 00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:41.319 we see that then 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.200 being fulfilled, 00:28:42.340 --> 00:28:42.860 don't we? 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:46.240 in the global church. 00:28:46.479 --> 00:28:48.039 And that's a wonderful reality. 00:28:48.719 --> 00:28:49.399 It reminds us 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:50.240 that global church 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.679 fulfills God's promises 00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.799 and God's purposes. 00:28:53.979 --> 00:28:54.839 We can trace that 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.599 all the way back 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:57.179 to Genesis 12. 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.799 Abraham has promised 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.399 one of his seed 00:28:59.399 --> 00:29:00.000 will be blessing 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:00.759 to the nations. 00:29:00.879 --> 00:29:02.059 That's Jesus. 00:29:03.219 --> 00:29:03.740 We can think about 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.859 those wonderful stories 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:06.000 of people like Rahab 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.579 and Ruth 00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:07.859 foreigners, 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.659 worshippers 00:29:09.659 --> 00:29:10.359 of other gods 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:11.639 who become part 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.519 of the community 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:12.919 of faith 00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:14.299 and become part 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.500 of the family line 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.479 of Jesus. 00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:17.199 We can think about 00:29:17.199 --> 00:29:18.359 the promise 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:19.539 in Isaiah 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:20.479 of the Messiah 00:29:20.479 --> 00:29:21.240 as the servant 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:21.759 of the Lord, 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.299 the one who would be 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:24.500 light to the nations. 00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:26.579 Think again 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.740 about the Magi 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.979 coming from the east 00:29:28.979 --> 00:29:29.819 to worship, 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:30.879 to acknowledge 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:33.639 Jesus as the King. 00:29:33.919 --> 00:29:34.379 Think about 00:29:34.379 --> 00:29:35.559 the great commission 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.879 of Jesus 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:37.899 just before he goes 00:29:37.899 --> 00:29:38.579 up to heaven. 00:29:39.159 --> 00:29:40.299 He says to the disciples 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:41.319 you be my witnesses 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.899 in Jerusalem 00:29:41.899 --> 00:29:42.480 and Judea 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:42.960 and Samaria 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.599 and to the ends 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:43.980 of the earth. 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.639 Think about 00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:46.200 the sending 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.779 of the Spirit. 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.319 What happens 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:47.919 at Pentecost 00:29:47.919 --> 00:29:48.480 with the sending 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:48.980 of the Spirit? 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.039 The disciples 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.859 are able to speak 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.579 in other languages 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.480 so people can hear 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.119 the good news 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:53.599 of Jesus. 00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:54.480 And then think 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.180 about the spread 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:55.779 of the church 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.559 in the book of Acts 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.039 and beyond. 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:58.559 And then think 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:59.879 of Revelation 5. 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:02.039 I'm going to sing 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:02.839 Is He Worthy? 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.119 Again, 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.980 because what do we have 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:05.419 in Revelation 5? 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.200 We have this picture 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.000 of the throne room 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.379 in heaven 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:07.980 and there we have 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:10.159 people from every nation, 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.980 and culture 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.540 and people group 00:30:11.540 --> 00:30:12.040 and language 00:30:12.040 --> 00:30:13.340 and they're all united 00:30:13.340 --> 00:30:14.019 in the worship 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.160 of the Lord Jesus 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:16.420 because the global church 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:18.480 fulfills God's purpose 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.480 and God's promise. 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.960 And we understand 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.480 in the age 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.220 that we're living in 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:24.920 that brutal regimes 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.700 have tried 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.620 and are trying 00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:28.580 to destroy the church, 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:29.820 to kill 00:30:29.820 --> 00:30:30.620 and to arrest 00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.420 God's people. 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.279 Some of us 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:33.900 will remember 00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:35.380 Andrew McKeever 00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:35.900 was sharing 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:36.240 with us 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.080 of a pastor 00:30:37.080 --> 00:30:38.519 in Burma 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:40.460 who was shot dead 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:42.600 by the rebel army 00:30:42.600 --> 00:30:43.240 as he tried 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:43.840 to save 00:30:43.840 --> 00:30:45.340 his burning church building. 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.000 This week 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.759 I read of three 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:49.300 elderly pastors 00:30:49.300 --> 00:30:50.380 in Eritrea 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.620 all in their 70s 00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:52.300 arrested 00:30:52.300 --> 00:30:54.160 for sharing 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:54.820 the good news 00:30:54.820 --> 00:30:55.259 of Jesus 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.360 in their country. 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.320 Regimes, 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.040 individuals, 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.600 communities 00:30:59.600 --> 00:31:00.340 will try 00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:01.740 to stop the church 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.720 but still 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:03.160 the church 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:04.160 of Jesus grows. 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.799 As Jesus said, 00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:06.420 the gates of hell 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.220 will not prevail. 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:08.299 There's rapid growth 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:08.980 in some parts 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.480 of the world 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.640 and sometimes 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:12.120 when things seem hard 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:12.579 here and people 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:13.160 seem apathetic 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.839 we need to remind 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.460 ourselves of what's 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.240 happening in Africa 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.259 and parts of Asia 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.539 and Central and South America 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.740 where the gospel 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.859 is spreading rapidly. 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:22.019 But very practically 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.880 it reminds us 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:24.019 that God's mission 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.240 matters 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.019 and our support 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.940 and our involvement 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.839 in mission 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:29.079 matters indeed. 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.740 It's a privilege 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.480 for us 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.960 as the people 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.440 of God 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.980 to be looking 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.500 to do whatever 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:34.960 we can 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.839 to make disciples 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:38.759 of all nations. 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:42.059 So there's a big picture 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:43.059 significance of Jesus 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.940 being king for the world 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.839 but the very personal 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:46.680 significance of Jesus 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.620 being king for the world 00:31:47.620 --> 00:31:48.259 means that 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.740 Jesus would be 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.700 saviour for you 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.460 and me. 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.500 When it says 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.480 the whole world 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.279 Jesus is saviour 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:56.019 for the whole world 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:57.140 it means whoever we are 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:57.960 whatever our story 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:59.000 whatever our background 00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:01.920 Jesus would be saviour 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:02.660 for us. 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:04.980 Jesus 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:06.420 God's son 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:07.119 God's king 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.160 who lived 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:08.660 died 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.079 rose 00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:09.940 now reigns 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.579 in heaven 00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:12.980 having 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:14.480 acted 00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:15.339 on the cross 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.559 to forgive 00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:17.259 sin 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:19.160 to grant 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:20.220 eternal life 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:21.920 we're invited 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.619 to turn 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.339 from sin 00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.440 and to trust 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:25.000 in him 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:26.400 submit to him 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:26.980 as king 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:30.120 saviour for the world 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:31.319 he would also be saviour 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:32.519 for you 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.640 and for me. 00:32:36.640 --> 00:32:38.180 Just as we close 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:38.579 then 00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:40.220 what kind of welcome 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:42.099 do we give 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:43.519 king Jesus 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:45.279 this glorious 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.960 son of God 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.559 the one who 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.640 who left 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:48.400 the throne 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:48.900 of heaven 00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:50.120 to journey 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:50.839 to the manger 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.539 to journey 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.460 to the cross 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.180 in order 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:54.279 to save us. 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:56.660 what welcome 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.259 what worship 00:32:57.259 --> 00:32:57.899 what honour 00:32:57.899 --> 00:32:59.160 does he receive 00:32:59.160 --> 00:33:00.000 from us 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:01.879 perhaps in this week 00:33:01.879 --> 00:33:02.879 in the run up to Christmas 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:04.940 we can think about those two comings 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:08.000 his coming 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:09.019 into the world 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.359 and his 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:10.500 coming to 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.559 the cross 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:15.000 that we would welcome 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:16.460 and that we would 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.559 worship king Jesus 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:18.379 as lord 00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:19.639 let's pray 00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:21.940 our father 00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:22.440 in heaven 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.680 we thank you 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:24.600 so much 00:33:24.600 --> 00:33:25.300 for your word 00:33:25.300 --> 00:33:26.500 your word 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.080 that reveals 00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:27.560 to us 00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:28.660 Jesus 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:30.000 as saviour 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:30.520 and king 00:33:30.520 --> 00:33:32.080 reveals to us 00:33:32.080 --> 00:33:32.540 his heart 00:33:32.540 --> 00:33:33.680 as a humble king 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:35.120 the one 00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:35.680 who would be 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.160 saviour 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:36.759 for any 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.500 and for all 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.580 who would put 00:33:38.580 --> 00:33:39.140 their trust 00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:39.660 in him 00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:41.100 so Lord 00:33:41.100 --> 00:33:41.560 we pray 00:33:41.560 --> 00:33:42.160 that in all 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:42.580 the things 00:33:42.580 --> 00:33:43.040 that are going 00:33:43.040 --> 00:33:43.700 on in the next 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.380 few days 00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:45.940 that you would 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.259 give us 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:46.840 the wisdom 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:48.079 and the desire 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:49.619 to set aside 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:50.119 time 00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:51.779 to remember 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.859 Jesus 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:54.799 and to remember 00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.480 his coming 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.980 into our world 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.939 in order to make 00:33:57.939 --> 00:33:58.480 atonement 00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:59.240 for our sin 00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:00.779 and to think 00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:01.299 about him 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.619 leaving 00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:03.799 glory 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:04.899 in order 00:34:04.899 --> 00:34:05.539 to be 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:07.279 that sacrifice 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.900 that would 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.719 take away 00:34:09.719 --> 00:34:11.259 your wrath 00:34:11.259 --> 00:34:12.259 against our sin 00:34:12.259 --> 00:34:13.579 that would 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.119 bring us 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:14.679 peace 00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.519 with our God 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.900 so that you 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.199 would give us 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:17.759 deep joy 00:34:17.759 --> 00:34:19.099 and deep 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:19.579 worship 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:21.320 at this time 00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:21.719 of year 00:34:21.719 --> 00:34:22.300 and indeed 00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:23.139 for all of our 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:23.559 lives 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.400 we pray 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.440 in Jesus 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:25.920 name 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:26.719 Amen 00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:31.000 So to help us 00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:32.659 to continue 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.719 reflecting on 00:34:33.719 --> 00:34:35.000 the wonderful 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.840 theme of Jesus 00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:36.659 our King 00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:37.780 we'll stand 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:38.179 and we'll sing 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:38.559 again 00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:40.199 Is He Worthy? 00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:42.019 God 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:44.099 . 00:34:58.879 --> 00:34:59.879 . 00:34:59.879 --> 00:35:01.779 . 00:35:01.779 --> 00:35:01.960 . 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:02.179 . 00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:02.839 . 00:35:02.839 --> 00:35:03.000 .