Magnificent Expectation

Date: 4.05.09 Speaker: Kristian Martens Texts: Luke 19:28-44, 1 Corinthians 5:7, Psalm 118:25-26, Zach 9:9, John 12:12-43, Colossians 2:14-15, 1 Corinthians 2:2 Title: MAGNIFICENT EXPECTATION King on a Colt Summary: ... the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, Teacher, rebuke your disciples! I tell you, he replied, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out, Luke 19:37-40 NIV This Easter, well look at our Magnificent King Jesus and what was accomplished on His cross. As U2 recently wrote, we are to Magnify the Magnificent. On this Palm Sunday the beginning of passion week well see how Jesus entrance to Jerusalem was pregnant with meaning & symbolism. During the Jewish Passover, where lambs were sacrificed for atonement, Jesus comes as the Passover lamb perfect & unblemished to be sacrificed for our sins. EXPECTATIONS: All of us have expectations. The question is: how do we respond when theyre not met or have a different form? In this sermon well look at Jesus entry into Jerusalem during Passover week. Welcomed by huge cheering crowds chanting Save us now Jesus knew these same people would be yelling out Crucify him a few days later. What a contrast. What a disconnect, a great chasm between the crowds expectation and the reality of Jesus offering. Eternal freedom from Satan, sin & death was on the table and the crowd couldnt see past their own noses seeking only temporary, political freedom from their oppressors. They envisioned their Messiah as a mighty war hero, riding in on a stallion to amass a great army. And in rides Jesus on a humble donkey. What are our expectations of Jesus, as He enters our world? What are our expectations of His work during this season where we celebrate the cross & the empty tomb? How has He changed you?