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· Today is Palm Sunday, also called the “triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.” The day on which Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey.
– But have you ever asked yourself what went wrong that in that same week He rode into Jerusalem, Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples, denied by another, arrested by the high priest’s guard, accused by a coalition of religious leaders, tried by the Roman governor, and sentenced to die the death of a common criminal (death by crucifixion).
– The Bible says Jesus made a triumphant entry (procession) into Jerusalem but it is interesting to note that Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem was not the only procession in that week.
That very week had about three different procession of three different categories of people
a. The procession of the massive crowd that came to celebrate the Passover feast in Jerusalem.
b. The procession of the massive military (security) forces led by Pontius Pilate the Roman centurion and the present governor that covers the region of Judea, Samaria and Idumea in Jerusalem to maintain law and order throughout the period of Passover feast because of the huge significance the Jew had placed on the feast. Pilate’s spectacular entry into Jerusalem was meant to send a message to the Jews, and to those who might be plotting against the empire of Rome.
c. The procession of Jesus Christ and His disciple.
Since Jesus quoted from the word of prophet Zechariah (Zech. 9:9) Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass), the people completed the chapter and interpreted it to mean, “God will deliver the nation from the oppressor”—in this case, Rome!
The crowd on that Sunday, proclaimed, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” In other words, they were placing their faith in Jesus that he would restore the glory of the nation back just as David did because He is a descendant of David.
The Old Testament prophets had proclaimed that the coming Messiah would sit on the throne of his father, David. The Messiah would bring back the glory of Israel, would rid the nation of oppressors, would rule benevolently, and would be kind to the common people. Zech. 9:9-16
They wanted Jesus to become their earthly kingbut failed to understand the divine purpose and mission of Jesus Christ which is; to bring the kingdom of God to man, not to become their earthly king.
That was what brought doubt into the heart of some of the crowd, and the rulers of the synagogue capitalized on it. John 11:45-50.
Isa.55:8-9 8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…….
What kind of king do you want?
· We all make these mistakes everyday as believers when we fail to have proper understanding of the person of Jesus
· What kind of Jesus do you seek this morning, the Lord over all situations of your life or the errand god that you use to fulfill your selfish desire?
· Sometimes because prophecy had gone forth, we begin to act without further confirming how those things will come to pass
· We choose the way things must be done over God’s divine agenda.
No wonder Naaman said “… I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper(Always thinking we can work spiritual things out with carnal mindset)
1 Cor 1:25 …. the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men
– Our heart must grow from self-centered faith to Christ-centered faith (we don’t squeeze God into our busy schedule or turn to God when it is only convenient or useful)
· If Jesus shows up today, I think we might expect the same things.
– We seek Jesus who will end our wars, take away poverty, eliminate stress, financial stress, marital stress, work stress, emotional stress, family conflict, fear. But what we fail to understand is that this are mere additions but the needful is to first seek His kingdom. Matt.6:33
· He has gone to the cross and sacrificed His life for us so that we could be transformed and be eligible.
In conclusion
· Jesus came to bring the kingdom of God to man even while still on earth.
· Don’t seek the good of the land at the expense of your creator.
– When our wants and desires is completely against the plan of God for our lives God becomes unclear to us.
– The world wanted war, but Jesus brought peace.
– They wanted back the kingdom of the world but He brought the kingdom of God to man.
v
Pastor Olanrewaju Areola
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