Entrance Toward the Exit

Interrogative: What is Palm Sunday

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• Palm Sunday reminds us that the reign of Christ is far greater than any man’s mind could ever conceive or plan.
• Man looked for someone to fight their battles in the present-day world.
• Yet God had the ultimate plan of sending His Son to fight the final battle over death.
• This is the greatness of why we celebrate this week. We can be free of death because of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

In this Holy Week, may God direct our thoughts and attention towards what matters most, Jesus Christ our King.

Transition: Just I end with addressing ‘how Jesus Came to us’ let me go through this ‘Holy Week’ after His triumphant entry.

On Day 2 Monday – Jesus returned with his disciples to Jerusalem.

• Along the way, he cursed a fig tree because it had failed to bear fruit.
• He overturned the corrupt money changers ‘My temple will be a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of thieves.’                                                      

• Monday evening he stayed in Bethany again, probably in the home of his friends, Mary, and Martha. And Lazarus.

On Day 3 – Tuesday

• Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives.
  
  

• They passed the withered fig tree on their way and spoke to them about faith.
• Back at the Temple the religious leaders were organizing an ambush with the intent to put him under arrest.
• Jesus evades it, goes to the Mount of Olives, and gives the Olivet Discourse (End times, destruction of the Temple, the future program of Israel, judgment).
• Also, the day that Judas Iscariot negotiated with the Sanhedrin (the rabbinical court of ancient Israel, to betray Jesus).

Day 4: Holy Wednesday 

• The Bible doesn’t say much about the Wednesday of Passion Week. Scholars speculate that Jesus and his disciples were resting in preparation for the Passover.

Day 5 – Passover and Last Supper on Maundy Thursday

• Holy Week takes a somber turn on Thursday.
• Jesus sent Peter and John to make preparations for the Passover Feast.
• After sunset, Jesus washes his disciple’s feet.
• Late that evening in Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed with a kiss by Judas, arrested by the Sanhedrin, and, taken to the home of Caiaphas the high priest.

Day 6: Trial, Crucifixion, Death, and Bural on Good Friday.

• Friday is the most difficult day of Passion Week.
• Jesus’ journey turned treacherous, painful, and led to his death.
• Judas, overcome with grief hanged himself.
• Before the third hour (9 AM), Jesus endured the shame of false accusations, condemnation, mockery, beatings, and abandonment.
• After multiple unlawful trials, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion.
• Then about the ninth hour (3 PM) Jesus breathed His last breath and died.
• By 6 PM Friday evening, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb.

Day 7: Saturday in the Tomb.

• Jesus’ body lay in its tomb where it was guarded by Roman soldiers throughout the day on Saturday, which was the Sabbath.
• As the Sabbath ended at 6 PM, Christs body was ceremonially treated for burial whihg spices purchased by Nicodemus. (75 pounds)
• While his physical body lay in the tomb, Jesus paid the penalty for sin by offering the perfect, spotless sacrifice.

Next Week I will talk about Day 8: Resurrection Sunday

Transition/Question: So, let me go back to Palm Sunday. How did Jeus come?

1. Came Lowly

As mentioned in the Bible, Jesus entered the city riding a donkey to fulfill the Messiah prophecy, as depicted in Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Typically, when a king or conqueror entered a city, they did so on a decadent chariot or flamboyant horse; however, Jesus did so in a humble fashion despite the fact his followers recognized him as the Messiah and king of kings.

The donkey symbolized peace, so those who chose to ride them showed that they came with peaceful intentions. Jesus even then reminded us that He is the Prince of Peace.

• Came Compassionately – Jesus wept – Luke 19:41-42

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it, and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

Amid the moment’s praise, He knew in His heart that it wouldn’t be long before these same people would turn their backs on Him, betray Him, and crucify Him. His heart broke with the reality of how much they needed a Savior.

He’s a compassionate Jesus!

Wishes that no one should perish, but all come to repentance.

Transition: He came humbly, He came compassionately, and he came Victoriously.

• Came Victoriously

Hosanna = 3. When the people shouted “Hosanna!” they were hailing Christ as King. That word means “save now,” and though in their minds, they waited for an earthly king, God had a different way of bringing true salvation to all who would trust in Him.

Palms = goodness and victory