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“Hosanna
in the Highest!” Introduction: A. Palm Sunday 1.
A. Palm Sunday is all about a day when the King of Kings was
greatly honored. a)
Because people gave the very best they had – a gift of
praise. 2.
This day marks the beginning of the end for Jesus’ earthly
life. a)
The first day in what was to be his last week. b)
His weekend would take him to a cross on Friday morning, into
a tomb on Friday night and all day Saturday, then ultimately result in him
being raised to life again on the following Sunday morning. 3.
1Now when they drew near 4So they went their way, and found the colt tied
by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5But some
of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the
colt?” 6And they spoke to them just as Jesus had
commanded. So they let them go. 7Then they brought the colt to
Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8And many
spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the
trees and spread them on the road. 9Then those who went
before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the
name of the Lord!’ 10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna
in the highest!” I.
Jesus’ Deliberate A. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem 1.
It was Passover. a)
The greatest of all the Jewish feasts. b)
People from all over c)
Jesus, already having traveled and taught and performed
miracles over the past three years was making what would turn out to be his
last trip to this 2.
He was on a deliberate mission. a)
He knew what would happen there…how he would be treated…how
he would die. But he had a mission. b)
Just a few days earlier he had made the statement, “For the
Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10) 3.
The word Hosanna literally means “Save!” a)
“Save!” the crowd shouted. b)
Without knowing the details, the crowd was clearly
articulating what Jesus came to do. c)
I wonder if Jesus thought, “That’s exactly what I’m here to
do. How right you are, but how little you understand.” 4.
Hosanna is a shout of joy, praise, and welcome. a)
Feast of Tabernacles is the most joyful and festive of all
the feasts of b)
Seventh and last day is called “The Great Hosanna” 5.
Jesus deliberately fulfilled prophecy (Zechariah 9:9; 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Shout, O daughter of Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. 1Now when they drew near 4So they went their way, and found the colt tied
by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5But some
of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the
colt?” 6And they spoke to them
just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7Then they
brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 6.
Jesus deliberately received the praise of the disciples.
(Luke 19:32-40) 32So those who were sent went their way and found it
just as He had said to them. 33But as they were loosing the colt,
the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” 34And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” 35Then
they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and
they set Jesus on him. 36And as He went, many spread their
clothes on the road. 37Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of
the “‘Blessed is
the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace
in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the
crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones
would immediately cry out.” 7.
Jesus deliberately received the praise of the people (Matthew
21:8-9) 8And a very great multitude spread their clothes
on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them
on the road. 9Then the multitudes who went before and those who
followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the
name of the Lord!’ Hosanna
in the highest!” B. As Jesus rode into town, the people let loose with joyous,
uninhibited praise. 1.
A crowd of people, probably from his home region of 2.
1. By Jesus’ time, Hosanna had become a common shout of
Jewish praise to God. a)
Hosanna literally meant to save – To say Hosanna was to
praise. b)
The text says the people were laying things down before
Jesus. Their cloaks and branches from the fields. 3.
2. By spreading their coats on the road, as well as freshly
cut branches, it was their version of rolling out the red carpet. a)
What a scene that must have been. The Pharisees told Jesus he
ought to rebuke his disciples. 4.
3. Jesus said, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones
will cry out!” (Luke 19:40) a)
God deserves praise. And if people won’t do it, his Creation
will continue to cry out. Majestic mountains, mighty oceans, the expansive
stars of the universe, sun, moon, stars, trees, hills and yes even rocks
scream forth the praises of the Creator – the One God – Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. The One who also happened to ride into 5.
Imagine this scene with you standing in the middle of it a)
You are in the middle of that crowd of people and a man is riding
on a donkey coming toward you. b)
You recognize the man as Jesus. c)
People are rushing up and laying things down. d)
Jesus approaches where you are standing, riding closer, as he
passes by what do you lay down? e)
Key question: If Jesus came riding
down the street, what would you lay down before Him? II. Our Deliberate Response: Praise A. Praise the Name of Jesus 1.
It can be done publicly or privately. 2.
It can be done in a variety of ways. (Spoken words, printed
words, words that are sung in a song. Can be painted, signed with hands, or
even perfomed through drama or dance – just about
any mode of communication is an avenue for praise) 3.
It’s what we’ve been called to do: “But you are a chosen
people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that
you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) 4.
Part of our mission, if we’re followers of Jesus is to praise
a)
Praise means to pay Jesus a compliment b)
Put in a good word for Him c)
Say good things about Him and what He’s done d)
Tell Him thank you for something He’s done e)
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord B. What kinds of things inhibit our praise? 1. Pride? a)
We may not want to admit it, but perhaps pride stands in the
way of our praise. (1)I wonder if sometimes we
might overlook pride as it relates to praise by referring to it as
temperament. (2)We might say, “Well, by
nature, I’m just not a very expressive person. My temperament doesn’t lend
itself to the kind of praise that took place on that first Palm Sunday. I’m
too reserved.” (3)Praise to Jesus can be
offered in many different ways, just as sincerely by someone who raises their
hands and dances and by someone who bows their head in reverent respect. b)
So how might we sometimes confuse temperament with pride? (1)When we don’t engage
praise when we have the opportunity, and shrug it off as temperament, or just
being reserved, we’re kidding ourselves. (2)What would you have done
if you were on that road into c)
If Jesus came riding down your
street if it’s pride standing in the way of praise, would you be willing to
lay it down? 2. Fear? a)
Perhaps fear at times stands in our way of praise. b)
The classic example I think of when someone had opportunity
to put in a good word for Jesus, and was just too scared to do it is Peter. (1)You know after Jesus had
been arrested, Peter sort of lurked behind in the shadows to see how things
would turn out. (2)Someone said to him, “You
were with Nazarene, Jesus, weren’t you?” c)
What a perfect opportunity for Peter say,
“I sure was. And let me tell you about him. I saw him heal a deaf man, cause a blind man to see and make a cripple walk. One time
I saw him stand up in a boat during a storm and when he yelled at the wind
the storm stopped. I saw him walk on water. I’ve even seen him bring people
back to life – just this past week he did that again for a guy named Lazarus.
Jesus is innocent. He’s the Son of God – yes I follow Him and I proudly call
him my Lord.” d)
But of course, Peter didn’t say that. (1)He said, “I don’t know
what you’re talking about.” (2)Within a few moments he
denied knowing Jesus two more times. (3)He could have praised,
but he was afraid. e)
Sometimes it is scary to praise Jesus. (1)We don’t know what people
might think of us if we really let loose with genuine Palm Sunday praise. (2)But if Jesus came riding
down your street, and if it’s fear that stands in
your way of praise, would you be willing to lay it down? 3. Doubt? a)
Or if could be that doubt hinders your ability to praise
Jesus. b)
Have you ever been in a place where everyone else around you
was cheering and going wild, but you weren’t so sure this was something you should
be applauding? c)
Maybe some of us have a similar feeling when we are
surrounded by people who are praising Jesus. d)
You may think, “I have some serious questions that need to
get answered before I can praise.” 4.
It’s tough to praise when you have doubts a)
But if Jesus came riding down your street, and if it’s doubt that’s standing in the way of your ability
praise, would you at least be willing to consider laying it down? b)
If you’re willing, I’m certain he’ll help you with those
doubts. 5.
It could even be… a)
Possessions b)
Sin c)
Sadness/Burdens/Worries stand in your way of praise C. What will you lay down before Jesus? 1.
Why do we gather together on Sunday? a)
Some do simply because what He is offering is better than
what they have now… b)
Some do because we have breakfast every Sunday morning! c)
Some do simply because that is what they always have done. d)
Some do because what Jesus is asking is better than the
agenda they have set for themselves e)
Some do because they truly want to worship the Lord Jesus! 2.
Does the worship service on Sunday means
something to you? a)
Then praise Him! b)
At church – sing, clap, raise your hands, close your eyes,
bow your head – Just praise Him with all your heart! c)
With a friend or co-worker – instead of saying – “Boy that
really worked out well,” “Say, God sure took care of
that one!” d)
At home – whisper a love song to Jesus as a time of prayer or
sing it at the top of your lungs. 3.
Begin each of your prayers with praise – Jesus taught us to
say, “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name” PSALM 150 1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his
sanctuary; praise him in his mighty
heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts
of power; praise him for his surpassing
greatness. 3 Praise him with the
sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp
and lyre, 4 praise him with
tambourine and dancing, praise him with the
strings and flute, 5 praise him with the
clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding
cymbals. 6 Let everything that has
breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. 4.
“Let everything that has breath
praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6) 5.
And if things that have breath ever stop their praises, the
rocks will still cry out! Because Jesus, the King, is worthy of being
praised. |
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Copyright © 2008, by ToBeLikeHim
Ministries