Sunday April 9th

 

Matthew 21:1-10

                 Passion week opens with the Triumphal Entry of our Lord into the city of Jerusalem.  Christ’s journey has led Him here, to this moment; the culmination of all of human history.

                 Christ’s entrance into the city is surrounded by excitement and jubilation.  The people are shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David”, making it clear that they believe this Jesus to be the promised Messiah.  The word “Hosanna” is from the Hebrew hôšî‘âh nā’, which means, “Save (us), we pray”.  But it’s clear that the salvation that they were searching for wasn’t a salvation from their sins, but from the tyrannical rule of Rome.  They expected this Messiah to be a warrior king who would come in and extinguish the enemy.  And although the people are shouting their cries of joy this day, by Friday their shouts will change to that of “Crucify Him!”

                When Jesus doesn’t do what we think or expect we are often quick to turn on Him.  What we must keep in mind is that Christ’s plan, even though often different than ours, is ultimately both for His glory and for our good.  What Christ is going to accomplish by the end of the week is the salvation of mankind by offering His life as a substitutionary sacrifice for us on the cross!  He came to bring something greater than physical freedom.  He bought spiritual freedom from death in hell with His life!

                What happens when your plans and Christ’s plans collide?  Are you willing to submit to His ways?  That’s what it means to receive Christ by faith.  Not only making Him Savior, but Lord as well.

Pastor Paul Beam

Events of Sunday:
*Jesus enters Jerusalem
(Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-15)

*Greek people approach Jesus
(John 12:20-36)

*Jesus enters the Temple
(Matthew 21:17 and Mark 11:11)