When J. Wilbur Chapman was in London, he had an opportunity to meet General Booth, who at that time was more than eighty years old. Dr. Chapman listened reverently as the old general spoke of the trials and the conflicts and the victories. Then the American evangelist asked the general if he would disclose his secret for success.
“He hesitated a second,” Dr. Chapman said, “and I saw the tears come into his eyes and steal down his cheeks, and then he said, ‘I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains than I, men with greater opportunities; but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart, and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do with the poor of London, I made up my mind that God would have all of William Booth there was. And if there is anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.’”
Dr. Chapman said he went away from that meeting with General Booth knowing that, “the greatness of a man’s power is the measure of surrender.” (Source: 1,000 Stories and Quotations of Famous People, Wayne E. Warner)
What is the measure of your surrender to the Lord? As we study Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, we will see how we too must lay down our own way and let Jesus reign as true king.
Prepping for Jesus (Matt. 21:1-3)
Jesus gives clear instruction for the disciples to retrieve a donkey and a colt (21:2). Even in the preparations for the plan, Jesus shows He possesses Divine knowledge. He knew the donkey and colt would be there! God revealed His plan to save the world way back in Genesis 3:15. This entry into Jerusalem on a donkey is merely part of that very purposeful grand plan! Believe it or not, God had you in mind when He put this plan into action, and He has a good plan for your life as well. Seek out the Lord today and know His good plan for you!
Proving Jesus (Matt. 21:4-5)
Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem actually proves Jesus is who He says He is! The Lord’s entering into Jerusalem on a donkey actually fulfills prophecy.
Zechariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
We should note that the choice of the specific animal was purposeful and culturally significant. If Jesus had chosen a thorough bred horse, He would have culturally signaled an element of military and political conquest. However, the culture of the time would know that entering on a donkey would be declaring peace and humility.
Hudson Taylor was the founder of the China Inland Mission, and he spent 54 years in China as a missionary. It is roughly understood that the mission sent out over 800 missionaries, started 125 schools, and saw 10’s of thousands saved. The story is told of two women in Shanghai who were discussing the topic of pride and began to wonder if Hudson Taylor was ever tempted to be prideful because of his many accomplishments. One of the women decided to ask Taylor’s wife, Maria, about it. Maria promised the woman that she would find out. When Mrs. Taylor asked her husband if he was ever tempted to be proud, he was surprised. “Proud about what?” he asked. “About all of the things you have done,” his wife explained. Taylor responded, “I never knew I had done anything.” Hudson Taylor was keening aware that the work done was the work of God through him, and all glory went to God. This is genuine humility before God. (Source: Knight’s Master Book of New Illustrations, Walter Knight)
This introduction of Jesus Christ’s kingdom redefines “kingship” with power through humility and not through brute force. This theme is repeated throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry: He was born in a stable (not in a throne room), He served others (instead of having slaves wait on Him), He washed the disciples’ feet (instead of having servants perform that filthy task) …and now He arrives to announce His kingdom riding on a donkey to symbolize humility and peace.
Does our leadership in our homes, in our workplaces, and in our communities look more like brute force or does it look like humility and peace?
Praising Jesus (Matt. 21:6-9)
The modern-day culture may be slightly baffled over these verses. Why did the people cover the street with palm branches and their cloaks before Jesus rode through on the donkey? As we study the culture of Jerusalem during the time these events are recorded in Matthew 21, we discover that casting the branches and cloaks on the street was a sign of honor and a recognition of royalty. This honor and recognition of Jesus is extended in the words they were cheering as He passed by, “Hosanna!” and “son of David!” Hosanna means ‘save us, we pray’ and son of David was a messianic title. The crowds were acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah!
The reason many would cheer these things that day would be for the wrong reasons. They cheered for Jesus to be their political Savior. They had the wrong expectations. Are we following Jesus with the right expectations? Are we following Jesus for who He has clearly revealed Himself to be in the Bible, or for who we want Him to be for our own levels of comfort?
Provoked over Jesus (Luke 19:39-40; John 12:19)
The Pharisees are upset! They are not upset over Jesus teaching false doctrine (because He didn’t). They are not upset over Jesus living an immoral life (because He didn’t). They are not upset over Jesus using profanity or over Jesus speaking lies (because He didn’t). So, let’s be clear. The Pharisees are upset at Jesus because of the praise He received from the massive crowds. In Luke 19:39-40, the Pharisees tell Jesus to rebuke the crowds for praising Him, and Jesus says, “…if these hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out!”
Have you ever tried to ignore a breathtaking sunset? The “back yard” of our church has an incredible view of the sunsets. Although we may decide to turn our gaze away; however, that doesn’t stop the sky from lighting up in a spectacular display of color! That kind of beauty demands a response.
This is what is happening in Luke 19. The people see Jesus and they have to praise Him. This is NOT pride on Jesus Christ’s part. It is not pride because He is worthy of that praise. He IS the “son of David.” He is worthy of the term “hosanna” because He alone will save all of mankind! No matter how much others will try, truth was not silenced in Jesus’ day and neither can truth be silenced today. So, stand up and be heard today, church of God! Do not hide in the corners of society, speak the truth (and remember, God’s Word is the truth, John 17:17)! Jesus died for all mankind! Jesus gave His life a ransom to pay the sin debt we owe! Jesus shed His blood to cover our sin! Jesus rose from the dead and lives today! Jesus, and only Jesus, saves!
Yet sometimes we will attempt to come up with our own made-up truth. When we do this, we will inevitably pursue “a jesus” of our own making (in place of the true Jesus)! How can we sometimes reject Jesus as He truly is?
1. We can choose a “comfortable Jesus” (comfort over sacrifice). Jesus calls us to deny ourselves (Lk. 9:23), but we would rather see Jesus as the One who blesses our plans, makes our life easy, and will never disrupt our comfort. So, we would rather not hear preaching about sacrifice or suffering – even though Jesus sacrificed and suffered to save us from eternal condemnation!
2. We can choose a “non-offensive” Jesus. We get mad when our sin is confronted with love and truth (Gal. 6:1; even though that sin is clearly condemned in scripture). We would rather keep ourselves and others simply feeling good and not feeling “guilty!” So, we want the preaching at church to hardly ever (or never) touch on specific sin, on judgment, on hell, or on holiness. Col. 3:8-11; Eph. 5:3-7; I Pet. 1:15-16.
3. We can choose a “prosperity Jesus.” We can pursue a Jesus of our own making that guarantees good health, wealth, and prosperity. However, the Jesus revealed in the Bible lived humbly, suffered a great deal, and He warned against storing up treasures on earth (Matt. 6:19-21). Our faith is not intended to be a means for obtaining material wealth; instead, it is meant to deepen our connection with Jesus.
4. We can choose a “private Jesus.” Jesus calls us into community, accountability, and His mission for our lives (Matt. 22:37-40; I Cor. 10:31; Rom. 14:11-12). However, we can sometimes live as though Jesus exists just to serve us with no return expectations. So, we will ignore God’s call to disciple (teach) other believers and to share the gospel with those around us. Matthew 16:24-25; 28:19-20; Acts 1:8.
5. We can choose a “predictable Jesus.” During His time on earth, Jesus challenged the status quo and flipped tables (literally and spiritually). However, we sometimes pursue a Jesus of our own making that never disturbs routines or religious structures. Meaning, some will want the church to focus on traditions and performance more that Spirit-led risk and obedience.
Will you welcome Jesus as He is and not as you want Him to be? Will you lay down the coats of pride, personal plans, and comfortable control and let Jesus reign as true king in your life today?