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PALM SUNDAY: THE APPOINTED DAY OF GOD’S VISIT
(Luke 19:28-44)
…Most of the days
of life sort of blend together and only a __few__ seem to stand out in our memory:
For me these days include: my salvation and baptism, my family life, wedding,
etc
…When
Jesus was born the wise men came looking for the one who was “__King__ of the Jews.”
They
found and worshipped Him. Yet, for more than 30 years, Jesus remained in rather
obscurity…but by God’s designed, that would all change… on this very __specific__
day…a day appointed by God, for Jesus would enter Jerusalem now as its King. He
offered the __Kingdom__ to the Jews…the kingdom promised by the prophets of old.
This day was unique!!!
THREE OBSERVATIONS SURROUNDING THE EVENTS OF PALM
SUNDAY THAT OUGHT TO STIR US DEEPLY.
I.
THE
PREPARATIONS FOR THIS DAY TELL OF ITS IMPORTANCE.
A.
Jesus began to
tell of this day after the disciples recognized Him as the __Christ__.
(Matt
16:21) “from that time, He must go to Jerusalem, suffer, and be killed”
B.
The ministry
of the 70…went ahead of Jesus to announce the King is coming. Lk 10:1
C. The
personal ministry of Jesus as He made His way to Jerusalem stirred the crowd
D. The
raising of __Lazarus__, who lived just outside of Jerusalem, created enormous
enthusiasm among the people. (John 12:10) Pharisees planned to kill Lazarus.
E. This
was __Passover__, and with it some estimate that 2 ½ million people were gathering
F.
There was a
kind of expectation among the people of the coming Kingdom (Lk 19:11)
…All of
this was laid out by God as His Son was approaching Jerusalem…to
enter it.
II.
THE ACTUAL REGAL ENTRY TELLS
US THAT THE KING WAS OFFERING THE KINGDOM TO HIS PEOPLE.
A.
This special
day was announced by God in the Old Testament:
1.
Daniel
9:24-25…this was the __exact__ day foretold…483 years or 173,880 days!
2.
Jesus
stops, and has 2 disciples get the donkey and its colt to fulfill prophecy.
(Zech 9:9) Tells that the King would come as such…_____ years before!.
3.
The people are
shouting from Psalm 118…”Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in name of the Lord.”
He does not refuse their words. They put down their cloaks before Him as He
rides, and cut palm branches. This “__red__ carpet” treatment was only for the
highest of rank. See Jehu, 2 Kings 9:13…he is king.
B. Jesus
__weeps__ loudly as He sees the City while riding the colt. (Luke 19:41) He knew
they would reject Him, and the destruction that would come would be terrible.
All because they “did not recognize the time of __God's__ coming to them.” ( Luke
19:44)
III.
THE
ACTIVITIES OF THE KING AFTER HIS ENTRANCE TELL OF THE __BLESSINGS___ OF HIS
KINGDOM.
A. Jesus
entered the Temple and cleansed it. (Luke 19:45-46) “My house…” 2nd
time..
B. Jesus
__teaches__ the people. (19:47) He also __healed__ all the sick. (Matt 21:14)
…For a
few days, the people of Israel tasted some of the glorious blessings of the
kingdom. The Messianic King was personally present in His own temple!
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. Today
is the day of salvation. Come to Christ and be saved. Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.
2.
Scripture is fulfilled to the detail.
3. God's
timing is perfect. 483 years to the very day, the Lord rides on schedule.
He is never late.
4. On
Palm Sunday, at the temple, we see a glimpse of Heaven.
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