Palm Sunday

Message Title:
Theme: Holy Week
Season: Palm Sunday
Main Text: Luke 19:28-40
Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28-40; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Philippians 2:5-11; Isaiah 50:4-9a
RCL Scripture: Psalm 31:9-16; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Luke 19:28-40; Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49; Philippians 2:5-11
Focus: Jesus enters Jerusalem and God keeps God’s promises.
Function: To form a celebratory heart for Holy Week.
Other Notes:

Scripture Reading 1: Luke 19:28-40- Josh ²⁸ After Jesus said this, he continued on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. ²⁹ As Jesus came to Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he gave two disciples a task. ³⁰ He said, “Go into the village over there. When you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹ If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say, ‘Its master needs it.’” ³² Those who had been sent found it exactly as he had said. ³³ As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” ³⁴ They replied, “Its master needs it.” ³⁵ They brought it to Jesus, threw their clothes on the colt, and lifted Jesus onto it. ³⁶ As Jesus rode along, they spread their clothes on the road. ³⁷ As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. ³⁸ They said, “Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.” ³⁹ Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, scold your disciples! Tell them to stop!” ⁴⁰ He answered, “I tell you, if they were silent, the stones would shout.”

Scripture Reading 2: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29- Christy Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his faithful love lasts forever. ² Let Israel say it: “God’s faithful love lasts forever!”… ¹⁹ Open the gates of righteousness for me so I can come in and give thanks to the Lord! ²⁰ This is the Lord’s gate; those who are righteous enter through it. ²¹ I thank you because you answered me, because you were my saving help. ²² The stone rejected by the builders is now the main foundation stone! ²³ This has happened because of the Lord; it is astounding in our sight! ²⁴ This is the day the Lord acted; we will rejoice and celebrate in it! ²⁵ Lord, please save us! Lord, please let us succeed! ²⁶ The one who enters in the Lord’s name is blessed; we bless all of you from the Lord’s house. ²⁷ The Lord is God! He has shined a light on us! So lead the festival offering with ropes all the way to the horns of the altar.^{[d] 28} You are my God—I will give thanks to you! You are my God—I will lift you up high! ²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his faithful love lasts forever.

Scripture Reading 3: Philippians 2:5-11 – Lori R ⁵ Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus: ⁶ Though he was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit. ⁷ But he emptied himself by taking the form of a slave and by becoming like human beings. When he found himself in the form of a human, ⁸he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore, God highly honored him and gave him a name above all names, ¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Scripture Reading 4: Isaiah 50:4-9a- Jay ⁴ The Lord God gave me an educated tongue to know how to respond to the weary with a word that will awaken them in the morning.^[b] God awakens my ear in the morning to listen, as educated people do. ⁵ The Lord God opened my ear; I didn’t rebel; I didn’t turn my back. ⁶ Instead, I gave my body to attackers, and my cheeks to beard pluckers. I didn’t hide my face from insults and spitting. ⁷ The Lord God will help me; therefore, I haven’t been insulted. Therefore, I set my face like flint, and knew I wouldn’t be ashamed. ⁸ The one who will declare me innocent is near. Who will argue with me? Let’s stand up together. Who will bring judgment against me? Let him approach me. ⁹ Look! The Lord God will help me. Who will condemn me?

INTRODUCTION:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMNT: Let’s test how old you are: When you think of a donkey in a animated movie, what is the first image that comes to mind?
   1. Pinocchio & Donkey Island
   2. Eeyore
   3. Donkey from Shrek
   4. The donkeys that Luisa carries around in Encanto
2. Of the donkeys listed, I’m personally fond of Eeyore. Donkey from Shrek is a little too clingy for my taste.
3. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Can you name any famous biblical donkeys?
   1. Num 22- Baalam’s talking donkey
   2. Jud 15- Samson using the jawbone of a donkey to kill Philistines
   3. The assumed donkey at the nativity (there is no donkey mentioned)
   4. Luke 19- Jesus’ Triumphal Entry on a donkey
   5. Honorable mention: donkeys listed in the laws (about how to treat or care for your livestock), I’ll spare you the donkey’s listed in Joshua that did not survive for various reasons.

TRANSITION:  Don’t you worry, donkeys won’t be the focus of our sermon today! We are going to connect our scripture readings into a broader story; a story that has more hope than Pinocchio becoming a real boy!

MAIN TEXT: – the Scripture Readings- Isaiah 50:4-9a; Luke 19:28-40; Philippians 2:5-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

EXPLAINATION & INTERPRETATION:

1. Isaiah 50:4-9a
   1. The promise in the background of the Triumphal Entry
      1. Character described is labeled the “Suffering Servant”—this is a description of the Messiah that we sometimes ignore. He isn’t a warrior and his kingship looks VERY different from earthly kings.
   2. Condition of Israel at the time of this promise from Isaiah (wicked, lost, in exile)
2. Luke 19:28-40
   1. What happened: Triumphal Entry
      1. Israel had been back in the Land (post exile) for centuries now. But had they learned anything from their Babylonian exile? Why had God been silent for so long?
         1. We (and Israel) didn’t understand the Messiah or the way that God was going to fulfill God’s promises.
      2. Jesus entered Jerusalem during FESTIVAL (norms of festival include palms & coats on the road)
         1. Other Gospels tell us palms & the crowds shouting
3. Philippians 2:5-11
   1. The significance
      1. Jesus’ actions point to the suffering servant of Isaiah. God is consistent from Old Testament to New Testament.
      2. Jesus is The Father’s equal. God the Son came to earth. He humbled himself for our sake- being fully God yet full man to heal humanity.
         1. I know it’s confusing to think about how 1+1+1=1 or 100% + 100% = 100%
         2. We’re still trying to grasp what God did through Jesus. Paul’s words are just a hint of Christians trying to make sense of the depths of Easter.
         3. Christmas w/o easter
4. Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
   1. Our response:
      1. The language of Psalm 118 is of a return from Egypt, but likely the writters were using Egypt to understand their exile to Babylon.
      2. “The stone the builders rejected” – we didn’t understand God’s ways.
      3. God’s plans are for salvation. God’s plans don’t match what we’ve expected or even still expect.
         1. We see this in the Pharisees trying to silence Jesus’ disciples.

RESPONSE/SO WHAT/APPLICATION/:

1. The Season of Lent is ending. This season of reflection, repentance, and growth is coming to an end. Easter approaches. But Easter isn’t 1 day. The church calendar celebrates easter until Pentecost (June 5^th).
   1. Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday starts out the week with joy before we go to the darkest places by Good Friday.
   2. As Lent wraps up, we continue to reflect on where we have journeyed these last few weeks. Hopefully, we’ve developed a desire to regularly connect with God
   3. Lent isn’t the only time of year that we can change our lives- transformation can happen in the middle of winter, summer, or fall as well.
2. Holy Week reminds us that God desires our flourishing, not our destruction. God isn’t changing humans this time through a flood or exile. God is taking matters into God’s own hands.
   1. God desires our flourishing SO MUCH that God came down to heal our destructive patterns and open doors for a new life.
   2. God desires all of us, our whole selves. Salvation comes through belief in Jesus.
3. Psalm 118:29 ²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his faithful love lasts forever.
   1. God hasn’t given up on creation. God doesn’t want our destruction. This week, This season, this faith is a constant reminder of God’s goodness. Let’s praise our God.

CONCLUSION: Grab your palm branches before our closing benediction. We will sing our benediction and then wave our branches as we shout praise to God. We’ve got a slide with the words we’ll repeat together.

“Hosanna in the highest Heaven! Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Welcome to Holy Week—our savior is coming! Have a great week!