Sermon Snippet – Jesus and Jerusalem
INTRODUCTION – Jesus “stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem”(Luke 9:51). As He journeys to His death on the Cross there, He encounters both faith and opposition. Regardless of the attitude of those who interacted with Him, Jesus continues to instruct all of them. Jesus, of course, reaches Jerusalem. Let us read the Palm Sunday account of the Messiah’s Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:28-44), focusing on the closing verses.
1. THE MESSIAH IS MISSION-ORIENTED
Verse 41 records the historical fact of Jesus’ entrance into the capital “city.” He always finishes what He begins. He states, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17b). This core characteristic of Christ confirms that His mission will be concluded successfully: “I have glorified Thee on earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4). On the Cross itself, He cries out, “It is finished” (John 19:30) and becomes “the Author and the Finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Let us grow in our appreciation of this intensity of purpose, and let us learn the value of planning and task completion.
2. THE MESSIAH IS NOT A MACHINE
Verse 41 includes the detail that Jesus “wept over” Jerusalem. This is not sentimentalism or emotionalism; it is sincere sentiment, authentic emotion. We can compare this honest heart with the hellish Hindu idol Juggernaut, drawn in an annual procession by a large cart or wagon under which some were thrown in order to be crushed by its wheels, consistent with that false religion’s belief in cruel karma. In simple terms and by complete contrast, Jesus cares – cares such that He cries over the city that would crucify Him. Let us not blaspheme our Savior God by asking the question, “Do we care as much as Jesus cares?” We do not, and we cannot. We can, though, meditate upon this revelation of the huge heart of Jesus, marvel at the eternal kindness, and make a settled determination that this Savior is worth following now and forever. “A bruised reed shall He not break” (Matthew 12:20a); He will not crush us (and we are not to crush others).
3. THE PROPHESIED MESSIAH PROVIDES A PROPHETIC MESSAGE
Jesus reveals that the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed (verse 42-44). There is no gleefulness nor vindictiveness in His words. Rather, He is providing information ahead of this catastrophic event, giving everyone time to repent. After Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70, these prophetic words would become compelling evidence to believe, for fulfilled prophecy is incontrovertible fact, inarguable reality. Again and again, the pagan Romans unwittingly actuated Biblical prophecy. We have every good reason to believe that Jesus is God the Son, is the Savior.
CONCLUSION – In less than a week from this Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Jesus dies on the Cross. He never wavers from His Messianic mission nor from the Gospel message. May each of us trust in Him for salvation, and may we be strengthened in our faith this Holy Week as we walk with Him.