[1]   #305, The Day of the Parade, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday, 03-16-2008

Text: Luke 19:28-44
The Challenge: To respond to Jesus the way He wants.

INTRODUCTION

1. Have you ever been to a parade?
   1. A parade celebrates an event or person.
2. The Bible records the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
   1. (Jesus had just finished a last tour of ministry and had raised Lazarus.)
   2. He was riding on a donkey (1 Kings 1:38)
   3. This “parade” seemed to be “out of character” for Jesus.
3. Why the parade?
   1. To fulfill Scripture and God’s will.
   2. “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9
   3. To push the clock ahead.
   4. The religious leaders wanted to wait until after the Passover.
   5. Jesus knew He had to die during Passover (The Lamb of God).
4. During the parade the crowds rejoiced, but Jesus wept.
   1. Jesus saw what others didn’t see.
   2. He was looking for something in the people, but did not find it.

Jesus is looking for a right response.
The Challenge: To respond to Jesus the way He wants.
The parade will help us understand what Jesus wants.

LET’S LOOK AT SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1. What does Jesus want to do?
   1. He wants people to know who He is (the time had come)
   2. He want to bring peace to people.
   3. “If you, even you, have known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:42
   4. The greatest war takes place in every heart, with God!
   5. “Submit to me and be at peace.” Isaiah …
   6. The good news of the Gospel is that through Jesus we can be reconciled to God! (He is our peace)
   7. He wants to unite people under His Kingship.
   8. Reconciliation with God enables reconciliation with others.
   9. There are so many forces at work to divide and isolate us …
   10. nationality, color of skin, age, economic level, education, religion, etc…
2. The greatest agent of unity in the universe is the blood of Jesus. We are all equal at the foot of the cross.
   1. What Jesus want to do and what we want Him to do for us are often very different.
3. What are we usually looking for?
   1. We want a Savior who changes circumstances now.
   2. It would be great for you to provide bread.
   3. It would be great for you to bring prosperity.
   4. It would be great for you to make life easier.
4. We want a full service savior.
   1. We want a Savior who destroys our enemies.
   2. If you’re the Messiah, get rid of the Romans.
   3. If you’re my Savior, deal with those who bother me. (Don’t tell me to love them and exercise patience.)
5. What is Jesus looking for?
   1. We know what He is not looking for …
   2. He’s not looking for self-righteous critics.
   3. “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’” (Luke 19:39)
   4. He’s not looking for crowds of disciples.
   5. “the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.” (Luke 19:37)
   6. He’s looking for people to respond to Him.
   7. Those who don’t know – check Him out.
   8. Those who think they know. Go deeper (examine yourself).
   9. It’s not the loudness or emotion factor
   10. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father is spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23)
   11. Spirit – inward sincerity of heart before God.
   12. Truth - according to God’s revelation, Word.

CONCLUSION

Don’t miss the main event!!!