Point of Grace Worship 4.2.23 Sermon Notes – “The Palm Sunday Invitation”
The Palm Sunday Invitation
The story? Jesus? Response?
John 12 12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. 17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
What’s the Story?
In the last two weeks Jesus has: - raised Lazarus from the dead - healed 10 lepers - reveals the Kingdom of God to children and a rich man - healed blind Bartimaeus accepting “Son of David” title - invites himself over for dinner with Zaccheus - is extravagantly anointed by a woman in Bethany
Anticipation and expectation among thousands of Galilean pilgrims was at a fevered pitch as Jesus arrives in Jerusalem!
13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”
Jesus?
Jesus is King - who comes humbly - to save resolutely – beyond all expectation – fueled by extravagant love!
He just didn’t fit into any of the categories people had for Him!
Response?
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. 17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
The Palm Sunday Invitation
- Follow Jesus this week. We each need as much of Jesus as we can get.
Possibilities
- The Daily Pause
- Worship – Gathering Opportunities
- I get to say “Yes” every day to my King who comes for me!