Honor CHRIST - Luke 19:28-48 - March 26, 2006

Sunday School Lesson – Honor CHRIST – March 26, 2006

This is lesson 4 in our series “CHRIST Followers.”

In our series of study, we have considered:
o Put CHRIST First – Our love and commitment to CHRIST should be first when compared to all other relationships. The key is to let our relationship to CHRIST make CHRIST first place in our life, not us trying to perform to be acceptable to CHRIST. When CHRIST is first in our life all other relationships fall into place. When CHRIST is first through an interactive relationship with HIM, the dross of wrong notions and expectations about JESUS are skimmed away. What remains is a pure relationship built upon knowing HIM and not just knowing about HIM. Then all else falls into proper place and perspective such as:
o Keep Praying – Prayer is essential and we should have persistent prayer lives.
o Celebrate When People Come to CHRIST – Salvation is the reason CHRIST came to earth and we need to allow GOD to develop the same attitude in us for reaching others.
o Honor CHRIST – Our relationship to CHRIST is vital in serving CHRIST obediently.

How can we honor CHRIST?
v Accept HIM as our SAVIOR and allow HIM to be THE LORD of our life.
v Once we become a Christian we know the truth. We reflect the light of CHRIST which is within us to draw others to HIM. We are the light of the world.
v We are the salt of the earth. Why salt? Because salt makes one thirsty and we should make those around us thirsty for our new found relationship with the living LORD in our life.
v Walk as THE HOLY SPIRIT leads us each moment of our life.
v Read, memorize and study HIS WORD.
v Maintain an active prayer life with our LORD.
v Fellowship with HIM to get to know HIM more intimately.
v Obey HIM.

These are a few things which come to mind. The key is it is not us reaching up and trying to please GOD. It is not performance. It is obedience. It is allowing HIM to control our life in order to build an intimate loving relationship with HIM. This means yielding our will to HIM and spending time with HIM through reading HIS word, praying and fellowshipping with HIM. If we sense that our relationship with HIM is being hindered, we should ask HIM to examine our hearts and reveal anything which prevents us from having the best possible relationship with HIM.

The events of our study take place during the last week of JESUS earthly ministry. JESUS enters Jerusalem in an act of peace by riding upon a donkey. The disciples are excited that JESUS is coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Before this week is over the disciples who are cheering HIM have deserted HIM and even denied HIM. But we know the rest of the story.

HIS death is to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind. If JESUS had only died and we could visit a tomb containing HIS body, then we could question HIS being GOD’S SON. The resurrection of JESUS is the proof that HE is THE SON of GOD, THE MESSIAH. JESUS sent THE HOLY SPIRIT back to indwell us as the security deposit that we will know in our hearts that HE is THE TRUTH and THE LIFE and no one comes to THE FATHER except through HIM. It broke the heart of JESUS that the religious leaders did not recognize HIM as the promised MESSIAH.

Our background scripture is Luke 19:28-48.

As already mentioned, this is the last week of JESUS’ earthly ministry. HE is destined for THE CROSS. HE is near Bethany. Bethany is where JESUS’ friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus live. JESUS raised Lazarus from the dead just the week before HE enters Jerusalem. So the story of this miracle spread like wildfire.
After the resurrection of Lazarus, the Sanhedrin decided that JESUS had to die.

John 11:47-53:

47 So the • chief priests and the Pharisees convened the • Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do since this man does many signs? 48 If we let Him continue in this way, everybody will believe in Him! Then the Romans will come and remove both our place[4] The temple or possibly all of Jerusalem and our nation.” 49 One of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! 50 You’re not considering that it is to your[5] Other mss read to our advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God. 53 So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.

Most of us have notions about JESUS formed by our parents, attending church, attending Bible studies, discussing or listening to other Christians, etc. These notions shape our expectation and attitude we have toward JESUS. In our study today we will see that the disciples had formed their expectations of JESUS. Some of the disciples had a more intimate relationship with HIM because they had traveled and lived with HIM during HIS ministry. HIS chosen 12 had their own notions and expectations of JESUS and what HE would do.

So when these conceived notions or expectations are not met, then we become discouraged and loose faith.

When we form unrealistic expectations of JESUS, we too are disappointed when our expectations are not achieved. This is one reason we need to ask CHRIST to reveal and dispel any thing that prevents us from having a solid, healthy relationship with HIM.
As you may recall our lesson on prayer, HOW MUCH MORE will our FATHER give us good gifts when we ask.

Our problem is we try to define the good gifts. Our FATHER will never give us something which will harm us. The most prized gifts are salvation, grace, THE HOLY SPIRIT and eternal life. There are many other gifts of THE SPIRIT which GOD manifests through us. These along with other gifts are designed to help us develop an intimate loving relationship with HIM and obediently serve HIM. Keep in mind; we were not created for time but for eternity.

The folks in our lesson today had a relationship with CHRIST but it was driven by their own idea of the outcome. Thus by the end of this week most were disappointed in JESUS and many rejected HIM.

We have been blessed to have the Bible which we can read on our own to see the plan of GOD unfold from its pages as THE HOLY SPIRIT reveals it to us. WOW!!!

Let’s read Luke 19:28-40:
The Triumphal Entry
28 When He had said these things, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As He approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the • Mount of Olives, He sent two of the disciples 30 and said, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent left and found it just as He had told them. 33 As they were untying the young donkey, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the donkey?” 34 “The Lord needs it,” they said. 35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their robes on the donkey, they helped Jesus get on it. 36 As He was going along, they were spreading their robes on the road. 37 Now He came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: 38 Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.[10] The words the King are substituted for He in Ps 118:26. [11] Ps 118:26 Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven! 39 Some of the • Pharisees from the crowd told Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out!”

JESUS instructs two (2) of HIS disciples to go ahead of HIM to find a donkey and a colt (Matthew) upon which no one has ever ridden. Now that is interesting. I did not know JESUS was a bronco rider. I am just kidding.

In the Old Testament young animals which had never been yoked or worked were used for sacred duties. Now a donkey would be taking the King of King’s into Jerusalem.

The disciples were obedient and as JESUS had instructed they found the donkey. As they are untying it they were asked by its’ owners what they were doing? They answered as JESUS had instructed them.

I think JESUS was teaching obedience to HIS disciples, which is also a lesson for us today. When dark times come, practice in the dark what you learn in the light. Easy to say, hard to do but it is true.

The disciples placed their garments on the donkey to form a saddle and helped JESUS onto the donkey.

What is the significance of the donkey?

When a city was conquered, the conqueror rode into that city on a horse to claim victory. If the conqueror rode into the city on a donkey that signaled he was coming in peace. The donkey was considered a noble animal and often ridden by a king.

When JESUS entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, HE was sending a signal to HIS followers, the Romans and the religious leaders that HE was entering on a mission of peace. HE was not entering Jerusalem to drive out the Romans and be a political ruler but HE was entering as THE PRINCE of PEACE.

JESUS rode on a donkey to fulfill the prophesy of the Prophet Zechariah that the MESSIAH would come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9:

“ 9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious,[7] Or and has salvation humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.[8]” Isa 62:11; Mt 21:5; Jn 12:15

JESUS riding into Jerusalem on a donkey coupled with all the miracles JESUS had performed should have been clear confirmation to the religious leaders that JESUS is the promised MESSIAH. Their own agenda would not allow them to see it.

The Scribes and Pharisees prided themselves in studying and knowing the scriptures but they were looking for a political ruler to relieve them of Roman rule so they could continue business as usual. A political solution would have been temporary. JESUS came to deliver mankind from sin and the penalty of death which would be eternal.

1 Corinthians 2:8:
8 None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.[3]

GOD’S ways are not our ways and HIS thoughts are not our thoughts. GOD’S ultimate plan is always carried out. GOD did not prevent the religious leaders from recognizing who JESUS was.

Nicodemus was a religious leader, a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, yet he became a secret follower of CHRIST and tradition has it that he became a Christian after the resurrection.

GOD sent HIS ONLY SON, WHO was sinless and no other person in the universe could qualify to deliver mankind from sin and death. In exchange for HIS life, HE gives all who believe in HIM forgiveness, grace and eternal life.

The religious leaders were the very people eagerly awaiting the arrival of THE MESSIAH but they rejected JESUS. It is no wonder JESUS wept as we see in the following scripture.

JESUS was establishing a new covenant.

Let’s read Luke 19:41-44:
Jesus’ Love for Jerusalem
41 As He approached and saw the city, He wept over it, 42 saying, “If you knew this day what [would bring]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come on you when your enemies will build an embankment against you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

JESUS’ heart is broken. GOD sent JESUS to the Jews first and they rejected HIM. JESUS also knows the destiny of the Jews, their children, their families and Jerusalem itself in a few years. Utter destruction would come to Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Destruction is the destiny of all who reject JESUS today and it still breaks HIS heart!
JESUS gets angry and cleans house, so-to-speak, because the religious leaders have turned HIS FATHER’S house into a den of thieves.

Let’s read Luke 19:45-48:
Cleansing the Temple Complex
45 He went into the • temple complex and began to throw out those who were selling,[12] Other mss add and buying in it 46 and He said, “It is written, My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!”[13] Isaiah 56:7; Jr 7:11 47 Every day He was teaching in the temple complex. The • chief priests, the • scribes, and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to destroy Him, 48 but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.[14] Lit people hung on what they heard

During the last few days of JESUS’ earthly ministry, HE enters the Temple and sees that it has been turned into a business. The religious leaders are keeping out the very people who need the most help. JESUS becomes angry and cleans house.

As I thought about the cleansing of the Temple the thought came to me, as a Christian, since the death, resurrection and ascension of CHRIST our body has been made the Temple of THE HOLY SPIRIT. GOD indwells us. Every place we place our feet becomes Holy ground because of the presence of GOD in us. We are HIS Ambassadors, HIS representatives. The question is, “Do we need to ask CHRIST to cleanse our Temple of any thing which prevents us from serving HIM fully or blocking our relationship with HIM?”

As we approach this Easter, may it be a time for the renewing of our commitment to serve CHRIST by yielding our will to HIM. We need to ask HIM to search our hearts and reveal any thing in our life that could hinder us from having the best possible relationship with HIM.

Psalm 139:23-24 says it best: 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24 See if there is any offensive[9] Or idolatrous way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.