The Crowds (Palm Sunday)

1 Amens

Amen

INTRO – 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him." 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 27 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

165 bc

1 mac 13:51

5 On the twenty-third day of the second month, in the year one hundred and seventy-one, the Jews entered the citadel with shouts of jubilation, waving of palm branches, the music of harps and cymbals and lyres, and the singing of hymns and canticles, because a great enemy of Israel had been destroyed.

2 mac 10:5 On the anniversary of the day on which the temple had been profaned by the Gentiles, that is, the twenty-fifth of the same month Chislev, the purification of the temple took place. 6 The Jews celebrated joyfully for eight days as on the feast of Booths, remembering how, a little while before, they had spent the feast of Booths living like wild animals in caves on the mountains. 7 Carrying rods entwined with leaves, green branches and palms, they sang hymns of grateful praise to him who had brought about the purification of his own Place. 8 By public edict and decree they prescribed that the whole Jewish nation should celebrate these days every year. 9 Such was the end of Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes.  Joh 12:13 - Took Here we have "the palm branches of the palm-trees." The use in 1 Macc. 13:51 (cf. II Macc. 10:7) is in the account of Simon's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Bernard notes that to carry palms was a mark of triumphant homage to a victor or a king (Re 7:9). Palm-trees grew on the Mount of Olives (Mr 11:8) on the road from Bethany to Jerusalem. The crowds (one in front and one behind, Mr 11:9; Mt 21:9; Joh 2:18) cut the branches as they came (Mt 21:8). To meet him (eis hupantêsin autôi). Literally, for a meeting (hupantêsis, late word from the verb hupantaô, Mt 8:28; Joh 11:20,30; 12:18, in the papyri, but only here in the N.T.) with him" (autôi, associative instrumental case after hupantêsin as after the verb in verse 18). It was a scene of growing excitement. Hosannah (Hôsannah). Transliteration of the Hebrew word meaning "Save now." The LXX renders it by Sôson dê (Save now). Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord (eulogêmenos ho erchomenos en onomati kuriou). Perfect passive participle of eulogeô. Quotation from Ps 118:25f., written, some think, for the dedication of the second temple, or, as others think, for the feast of tabernacles after the return (Ezr 3:1f.). It was sung in the processional recitation then as a welcome to the worshippers. Here the words are addressed to the Messiah as is made plain by the addition of the words, "even the king of Israel" (kai ho basileus tou Israêl) as Nathanael called him (1:49). Jesus is here hailed by the multitudes as the long-looked for Messiah of Jewish hope and he allows them so to greet him (Lu 19:38-40), a thing that he prevented a year before in Galilee (Joh 6:14f.). It is probable that "in the name of the Lord" should be taken with "blessed" as in De 21:5; 2Sa 6:18; 1Ki 22:16; 2Ki 2:24. The Messiah was recognized by Martha as the Coming One (Joh 11:27) and is so described by the Baptist (Mt 11:3). Mark (Mr 11:10) adds "the kingdom that cometh" while Luke (19:38) has "the king that cometh." "It was this public acclamation of Jesus as King of Israel or King of the Jews which was the foundation of the charge made against him before Pilate (18:33)" (Bernard).   Joh 12:15 - Daughter of Zion (thugatêr Siôn). Nominative form (instead of thugater) but vocative case. The quotation is from Zec 9:9 shortened. Thy King cometh (ho basileus erchetai). Prophetic futuristic present. The ass was the animal ridden in peace as the horse was in war (Jud 10:4; 12:14; 2Sa 17:23; 19:26). Zechariah pictures one coming in peace. So the people here regarded Jesus as the Prince of Peace in the triumphal entry. Sitting on an ass's colt (kathêmenos epi pôlon onou). Matthew (Mt 21:6f.) does speak of both the ass and the colt having garments put on them, but he does not say that Jesus "sat upon" both animals at once, for epanô autôn (upon them) probably refers to the garments, not to the colts. When John wrote (end of the century), Jerusalem had fallen. Jesus will lament over Jerusalem (Lu 19:41ff.). So "Fear not" (mê phobou). Km = some people wonder how many animals, and which one he rode.  From Matthew, it seems that two animals were secured by the disciples, an older donkey, and a young colt, that needed to be lead by the more mature animal.  Jesus rides the young, smaller animal.  The full grown horse was ridden as a symbol of a victorious warrior, and we have that picture of Jesus riding a white horse in the book of revelation after his defeat of the satanic forces upon the earth; but here in Jerusalem, whatever the combination of the two animals that could have been ridden, Jesus rides the smaller humble animal which needed to be lead by the older – the obvious symbol is that Jesus is coming in peace, not war.  Jesus is coming as the prince of peace to inaugurate his entry into the city of peace – Jeru – shalom = or rather, the city of the person who is at peace – Jerusalem first secured by a man of war, king David, rightfully belongs to Jesus, because he is the only man who has complete peace and who is whole before God!  The problem is, the people who think they rule Jerusalem, the religious class – are not at peace with Jesus. Km = Ironically, the people are singing a derivation of Jesus’ name.  “Hosanna” being the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew = hôšî`ëºnî ynI[EÜyvi«Ah (Find a CTW with this word, or it’s equivalent!).  Jesus name, Yeshua, means, God Saves.  Here they are singing Hoshiani, which means, Save, I pray!  They are singing the song of salvation, and as they do, they are meeting the savior!  This is the precursor of the heavenly chorus that Jesus will receive from all his saints – so glorious!  All the glimpses on earth of the true reality yet to come – we have to capture this thought when we come to the Lord’s Table – it looks so simple and unimpressive – just as we are unimpressed and even upset with this crowd receiving Jesus because we know that later how shallow their praises were – but it was indeed right that Jesus receive this praise, and it is indeed right that we think of our simple meal as a grand banquet with the king of glory! Joh 12:16 Km = The notion of the disciples putting this altogether after Jesus resurrection and ascension should give us comfort.  Often times we try to significant things for our family and friends in order to help they to embrace and receive Jesus – and we get frustrated that they don’t “Get it.”  We get frustrated when they get frustrated with our attempts to show them the grandure of Christ and his salvation.  I can say from my own testimony that I all the things that my family and church were trying to impress upon me did not make sense to me at the time, but later, when Christ had revealed himself to me as my savior and king, I AM SO grateful for all the experiences, education, and faithfulness to display Jesus before me, even when I really didn’t know what was going on.  But when I came to realize it – all that wealth of spiritual investment was readily available to my memory, and became a foundation to build my own personal faith.  How sad that when people resist us, or when our children say that they don’t want any part of it anymore, that we might be tempted to give up on the task of providing important Christian truth to their life - - but think about the day it finally takes – and they remember and understand why all of those things were done – they will praise God for these experiences! Joh 12:17 Km = John seems to report that a major portion of this crowd assembled in Jerusalem for the feast day were instigating this reception of Jesus because they were present at the raising of Lazarus event.  These were the ones most excited about Jesus, and they were creating the buzz in the city. Joh 12:19 Km = The Pharisees are becoming desperate.  They see that their influence upon the crowds is being challenged – as if they really cared about the crowds!  They cared about their own power, and their ability to maintain it – isn’t this all so POLITICAL??  They can see the political winds changing and they are scared to death, and start to fight with themselves.  Like a political campaign that is starting to implode, everyone blaming someone else for the apparent loss on the horizon. Joh 12:21 Km = There are some Greeks who are in town to participate in the Passover in Jerusalem.  These Greeks are non-Jews who are inquirers to the Jewish faith, and they are trying to observe the faith, trying to adopt it’s values, and then they see the crowds praising Jesus, and want to have an audience with him so that they can gain some new insight into what is happening in Jerusalem, and why everyone is focusing on his entrance into the city.  So they contact a disciple of Jesus who has a Greek name – Phillip, (or is he French?  Philipe!); And he in turn consults with Andrew, another Greek named disciple to consult with Jesus.  But what an interesting point of contact, what a familiar way that things work.  Whenever I meet someone with a particular background, or heritage, or tattoo – that I don’t have… I always try to introduce them to a person who is like them, just to help give them some orientation.  “Oh you’re a nurse?  We have nurses?  You’re a teacher, an engineer, a student, musician, vegetarian???  Yeah, we have those here - - and big beefy meat eaters too!”  Just an interesting thought about how people make contact with Christ.  I can imagine, maybe, Philip being a little resentful of a Greek name in Israel, just maybe… But then one day, it is this exact person who is able to introduce a lot of people who were more comfortable in speaking with him than that Nathaniel guy!  How wonderful to have some many different people here at church worshipping Jesus so that the day an inquirer comes in, they can meet someone who is a little like them to help them learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus! Joh 12:23 Km = The request of the Greeks stirs something in Jesus – something about his total mission – something about how his life will change everything about even how we view time and history – it is the same kind of language that Jesus used with the woman at the well, another non-Jew, saying that, ESV John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  The Greek request leads Jesus to tell his disciples that his mission is far greater than redeeming a small nation on the globe – It’s about redeeming people who are actually tired of how the world is run.  Jesus has come for those who hate politics as usual, ethnic divide as usual, national separation as usual and is looking for servants to honor him!  But before Jesus can initiate a rule and government like that – he would have to die and bury that old system to raise up a new humanity! Joh 12:27 Km = What a stark and poignant statement of Jesus here!  As the people are shouting and singing, “Hosanna, Save we pray!”  That Jesus would quote a section of Psalm 6:4 that references this Hebrew word again, hôšî`ëºnî ”save me!”  Everyone is shouting Save us, save us, but Jesus won’t join that chorus!  He will not be saved from what is about to come upon him.  He will encounter the trial of unjust persecution and misery, he will endure the wrath of God upon the cross, and the power of death to his body and soul!  He should be praying with the Psalmist, SAVE ME FROM THIS!  But he will not!  Out of obedience, he will be the only one not singing this tune because he knows that in order to save God’s children, he must endure this torment so that those who believe in him would never have to encounter these awful judgments and punishments!  Thank you Jesus for saving me, by refusing to be saved from me! If anyone would run to come to someone’s safety and salvation, it would be a Father!  But Jesus knows that this aspect of his father would be moved to pity and rescue for his true son – in a heartbeat, I would run to save my only son, and damn the rest – but Christ, in his willing sacrifice, knows that he would come to be damned so that God would receive an innumerable family of children who would share in an eternal inheritance of peace and love from God the Father.  Jesus gave up all of his rights and inheritance and safety so that could raise up a holy family to receive and share in all the rights and inheritance and eternal safety that belong to him – thank you Jesus for sacrificing all of that for your people!  Your brothers and sisters, united to you by faith! Joh 12:28 Km = The crowds came out to Jerusalem to glorify their king, they shout his praises and their desire for salvation.  But Jesus will refuse being saved from what is about to come upon him.  On this day, of all days, that would appear to be the highlight of his earthly ministry, he will not take the proper honor due to God’s Name.  And above the accolades of the crowds, the true voice of praise comes from the one who is our true audience, our chief cheering section.  A voice of heaven announces that Jesus does glorify God, and that Jesus will be the source of future glory.  The crowds hear the thundering voice of God’s purposes and gives complete perspective on what Jesus is there to do.  He has not arrived in Jerusalem to cast out some Romans out of the holy city; but to cast out the ruler of this fallen world.  He isn’t ascending the holy hills of Jerusalem to receive the praise from the Hebrew people, but he will be ascend these hills to be lifted up upon a cross in order to draw everyone and everything to himself.  He has come to Jerusalem in a triumphal entry to declare the future victory that he will have when he is lifted up as a serpent upon a stick, and there has…ESV Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Joh 12:34 Km = THE CROWDS still understand Jesus’ mission and that his earthly life will end in death, but his resurrected life will result in his heavenly glory, the place where we first read about this phrase, Son of Man in Daniel 7:13, He is in the heavenlies wit the ancient of days!  Well this Son of Man has come to defeat the true enemy of man and is here to make sons of light  -- we will no longer be solely children of Israel, but sons of the light.  A new people who will not fall in the shadows of darkness, but will live for the glory of God.  This will be completely revealed when the ascended son of man comes to return to the earth!
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