The King Has Come

Good morning and welcome to the lifestream from beacon Baptist Church in Burlington, North Carolina the live streaming at this time. 930 in the morning and again this evening at 6 o'clock or pastor Michael Carnes will be ministering God's word and we will be broadcasting again on Wednesday night at 7 o'clock grateful for this opportunity to meet together with our congregation with others who are listening in at this time.

It certainly is not our preference would much rather be assembling together with one another.

Bodily present but God has ordained otherwise and were grateful that we have this opportunity to come into your homes or wherever else you may be, and to gather together around the word of God worship the Lord Jesus Christ to be reminded of the promises of God to commit our needs and concerns to him in prayer. We are mindful that we have a good number of people who are tuning into these broadcasts. We have reason to believe that we actually have quite a few more people who are joining us by lifestream that normally join us in our regular services. Some of you are in faraway places across the United States and even around the world. So we welcome all of you and that a special welcome to those who are tuning in from other places I could tell you that in Burlington, North Carolina the weather is beautiful. The sun is shining, the temperatures are low 70s yesterday and again today and this is Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter and we are not able to gather either on Palm Sunday or on we Easter this year.

We don't know when our next gathering will be. I was able to access some information on the interest Internet yesterday.

They gave an estimation for every state of the union as to when the peak of Kovic 19 was expected to happen in that state.

In some of the states. It was peeking out early in April. Many mid April in North Carolina later in April around the 27th I believe. So were about three weeks away from the peak here in North Carolina. The good news is it doesn't appear that is going to be hitting North Carolina as as significantly as it has many other states. Again, these are very detailed estimates that I read online, including how many people expect to get sick comedy hospital beds are expected to be needed, how many unused hospital beds that they expect there to be in a North Carolina.

They are expecting a surplus of beds were not going to fill them all up by their estimation. It's only a guess.

Of course, but ICU is going to be overflowing and there will not be enough ICU beds for everyone probably need them so we don't know what the Lord has in store but it does appear that things are going to be getting worse, or they get better as far as co-vid is concerned and again we wait to see what the Lord is doing.

Thank you for joining us today.

Fear not, have you noticed how many times in the Gospels we read those words. Fear not spoken often by the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes by angels that are sent by God from heaven. Other times by other people, but over and over and over again.

Fear not, fear not the tells me several things that tells me number one that we human beings are very prone to fear the fact that we would have to be reminded so many times in the Scriptures to fear not, tells me that fear arises very easily within our hearts and we do need constant reminders to fear not. It also tells me that there is a valid reason not to fear.

Fear not, why because God is in control, fear not, why because the word of God is given to us to guide us and to assure us and to give us promises that we can lean upon, fear not. Why, because if we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, his blood bought children there really is no reason to fear.

Even though we are very prone to do so and so.

Thirdly, this tells me that fear is something we can with God's help and grace dismissed from our mind.

Fear is not in overcoming emotion that we cannot push back on that we cannot control in any way.

If we are reminded of the word of God to fear not, then we can and must obey and stop fearing that's a word that all of us need to hear. Fear not for says God I am with you. Do not be afraid.

I read again a portion of Scripture from Isaiah chapter 40 that I read last Lord's day didn't read all of these verses I read some of them, but I'm going to read from this portion again because I have a him based upon these words, the hymn is entitled art thou afraid and I'm reading from Isaiah chapter 40 verses 27 to 31. Why do you say oh Jacob and Spiegel, Israel my way is hidden from the Lord, and my just claim is passed over by my God, have you not known, have you not heard the everlasting God, the Lord, the create tour of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak to those who have no might he increases strength, even the use shall faint and be wary of the young men shall utterly fall but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. These words from the Scottish Psalter 1880 why poorest dial forth thine anxious planked despairing of relief as if the Lord or looked like causes and did not heed thy grief has thou not heard has thou not known that firm remains on high. The everlasting throne of him formed the earth and sky ortho afraid his power shall fail when it comes like evil day in Canada all creating arm grow weary and decay supreme in wisdom as in power the rock of ages stand through him, thou canst not see nor trace the working of his hands.

He gives the conquest to the week supports the fainting heart and courage in the evil hour his heavenly aids impart mere human power shall fast decay and youthful vigor cease, but they who wait upon the Lord, and strength shall still increase they with unwary feet shall tread the path of life. Divine with growing ardor onward move with growing brightness shine on Eagles wings. They mount they soar their wings, our faith and love till past the cloudy regions here. They rise to heaven above. Well, if we were not dealing with co-vid today would be the first day of our spring Bible conference with Don Theobald very sorry that we were not able to have that event that we were looking forward to very much but again we yield to God's sovereign will we worship our dear friends Don and Marlene well as they are in Canada also restricted in their travels and unable to carry out the ministry that normally they would peak be pursuing at this time and also if we were on a regular schedule. We would be gathering tomorrow for the tri-state particular Baptist Fellowship, but that to along with virtually everything has been canceled. I will give you our mailing address once again for those who may need it. Who would like to send in your offerings as you worship the Lord in your giving. If the Lord has blessed you with a steady income. If you are being cared for.

Don't let your anxieties about what if what may rather trust the Lord now and honor him and of course remember that we depend upon God's people to support this ministry. If it's going to continue during these difficult times and so far we have been greatly encouraged in that regard.

Thank you. Those of you who have sent offerings by mail, by electronic transfer by personal delivery, but our mailing address is beacon Baptist Church, PO Box 159, Alamance, NC 27201 again, beacon Baptist Church, PO Box 159, Alamance, NC 27201 and again, thank you for your giving on to the Lord.

If you are need of help, please let us know the people that I meant in touch with with our Congregational seem to be fine so far, nobody seems to be in need.

Nobody that I've been in contact with nobody sick that I've been in contact with. It's quite encouraging. Thus far, but if you have a need if you need someone that can run an errand for you. The can go to the store that can go to the pharmacy to can help you out in some way.

Please please please let us know. We won't know unless you tell us so you can contact your deacon if you're a member of our church or you can call the church office and though our office operation has been reduced somewhat. We are still operating. And there are people in the church office most of the time, and if were not there when you call leave a message on the answering machine will be happy to get back in touch with you. Now let's gather our hearts together before the throne of God in prayer. Our heavenly father.

Our hearts are encouraged to remember that you are the create tour of all things and that you have all power and that you have all knowledge, and that you are mindful of everything that is taking place in our lives and in our nation and our world. In truth, the Lord, we know that what we are experiencing. You have appointed for your wise and gracious purposes.

We do not understand them, do not claim to we do not need to, we simply need to bow before your throne and trust the one who was utterly trustworthy. You who have proved yourself to be faithful and true, the provider, the sustainer. The saver, the one who has met every one of our needs all throughout our lifetime and therefore Lord we come with great confidence to know that you will continue to meet all of our needs according to your riches. According to your power, according to your resources which are infinite father. This time we do pray for our nation, United States of America. We are being battered father again though we do not know what you are doing. We cannot help but hope that this battering of our country will prove to be eternally beneficial that it will humble us that it will show us that we are not strong of our sale. It does not matter if we are or not. In reality, the greatest nation upon the earth. We are but people we are men we are creatures we are grasshoppers we are. We and we are never more weak than when we consider ourselves to be strong without you. We are never more strong when we acknowledge our weakness and our utter dependence upon you, and therefore Lord God. We pray that in your gracious wisdom you will humble us humble. Our leaders that they may recognize their desperate need of you humble. Our people all across this land that all of us may recognize our utter dependence upon you because it's so Lord to examine our hearts to acknowledge our sin to confess them before you to cast ourselves upon your mercy, and to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray today for our missionaries all around the world that you will protect them and we are especially concerned for Stuart Waugh. Our brother, a member of this congregation as he awaits liver transplant in Johannesburg, South Africa. We understand that preliminary testing showed some concern about his heart that is being explored further in father we pray that the further tests will determine and that he is strong enough to undergo this transplant to granted to him and thereby will extend his life. This so Lord is our earnest petition father were mindful of the greatly deteriorating conditions in the land of Zimbabwe land that is already about his desperate as it could be now with the Kovic 19 virus coming and things are even more desperate father. You know all of your two children. You know those pastors who are faithfully preaching your word. You know their needs of the needs of their families and the needs of the congregation and father. We commit them into your care. The one who is promised to meet all of our need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. We pray today for Bob Rose since he is rapidly failing. Give him a Lord of the grace and strength he needs at this time. We pray for George Zen son who also is declining.

Pray for George. We pray for Joan. We pray that you might minister your grace to them and now father open our ears and open our hearts to consider your eternal war to the honor and glory of your side. We pray man.

My Bible is open to Mark chapter 11.

Mark's account of the triumphal entry. Now when they drew near Jerusalem to Beth five edge in Bethany at the Mount of olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them go into the village opposite you, and as soon as you have entered it. You will find a colt tied on which no one has sent loose. It and bring it and if anyone says to you, why are you doing this say the Lord has need of it and immediately he will send it here. So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it, but some of those who stood there said to them, what are you doing loosing the colt they spoke to them, just as Jesus had commanded so they let them go.

Then they brought the cult of Jesus through their clothes on it and he sat on it, and many spread their clothes on the road and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road than those who went before and those who followed, cried out, saying hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord blessed is the kingdom of our father David the comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest and Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when he looked around at all thing. As the hour was already late, he went out to Bethany with the 12 many years ago I used too frequently hear this song. You may know, it entitled the King is coming by Dylan Gloria Gaither, the marketplace is empty. No more traffic in the streets all the builders tools are silent no more time to harvest wheat busy housewives sees their labors in the court room. No debate work on earth is also suspended as the King comes through the gate of the King is coming, the King is coming.

I just heard the trumpets sounding and now his face. I see all the King is coming, the King is coming. Praise God. He's coming for me at song was written about the second coming of Christ, of what a glorious and dramatic event that will be but it captures a lease, in part, some of the drama and excitement that took place on Palm Sunday for this event, which we have labeled the triumphal entry because I'm convinced in many ways it is in fact a foretaste of that second coming of Christ in all of his glory and splendor and honor and majesty and power in such magnitude that we cannot describe it.

We cannot even imagine it again.

I think we should understand that What Took Pl. in Jerusalem on that Sunday before the crucifixion was filled probably with greater drama and majesty and acclimation than we have realized it was indeed a miniature portrait of the second coming of Jesus Christ similar similar is the triumphal entry to what is planned in the future therefore may God help us to understand what a major event. This was how significant it was in the life and ministry of Christ. This event is recorded in all four of the Gospels, which in itself points to its importance.

Some things are recorded in only one gospel summoned to 73 only a few things in all four for example, do you realize that the birth of Jesus Christ of Mary is only recorded in two Gospels, but the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem is recorded in all four of the Gospels and every one of them give some details that are not found in others and therefore each one supplements the other gives us a fuller picture of what took place at that event were going to be examining this morning the account that is found in Mark's gospel that I read a moment ago. In chapter 11 in this triumphal entry Jesus was identified clearly and publicly as Israel's king, the rightful inheritor of David's throne.

And it was Jesus himself who precipitated this event, you may have been under the impression that Jesus was sort of caught up in the excitement of the crowds around him, and indeed the crowds eagerly entered in to what was taking place. They obviously wanted to participate. But as we look at the details. We realize that Jesus himself was planning inaugurating and initiating this event. He was deliberately presenting himself as the rightful king the week that began on what we call Palm Sunday with the adoration and praise of Jesus Christ ended in the tomb on Saturday. What momentous events what incredible change what happened between the first day of the week in the seventh day of the week on this. The most important week of Christ's life upon the year.

Well Christ was acclaimed King but Christ did not take up his earthly reign at that time he did not.

He could not, for first the cross must be endured in centuries must pass before King Jesus will come to assume his rightful throne, but so much of that future coming is portrayed in this event will look at the event in Mark under these following headings we see the regal command number one the regal response. Secondly third of regal procession and finally a regal inspection. The regal command after setting the circumstances, the location, the details of this event in verse one. Mark goes on to show us something of our Lord's preparation for this event will know first.

The setting in verse one. Now when they drew near Jerusalem to Beth phage and Bethany at the Mount of olives.

That's the setting. It is Christ final visit to Jerusalem before his crucifixion, a mere few days later he is entering Jerusalem from the road to Jericho coming along that road. He comes first to the little town of Bethany and then passing Bethany still on his way to Jerusalem. He will go past the even smaller village of Beth five Bethany we know a little bit more about Bethany means house of figs and was the home of Mary and Martha, and Lazarus hold the Jesus frequented often on his ministries in Jerusalem. Bethany is about 2 miles east of Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the amount evolving of the Mount of olives is actually more of a ridge about 2 miles long, that divides Jerusalem from Bethany and what lies to the east. It is a place that is very suitable for the growing of Olive Trudy's and filled with Olive Garden's it has acquired the name the Mount of Ali Beth phage means house of the unfit's you can get the Beth in both of those names Beth Annie house of figs Beth phage house of young figs sort of unripe films figs as it sometimes known as a village that is thought to be about 1 mile from Jerusalem. About halfway between Jerusalem and Bethany. But that is not known with certainty because this particular village has been lost in antiquity and archaeology has not yet determined with certainty its exact location. Though there is a town there that seems to fit the description and probably is the one becoming to that familiar place coming up that road from Jericho down at the river Jordan knows many many dusty miles through desert region. He finally arrived at Bethany and actually spent the night and Bethany and had a a wonderful dinner there on Saturday night and then setting out on Sunday morning.

Heading toward Jerusalem. He's heading toward what is often known as the Eastern gate, and it is that gate that he will enter into Jerusalem and going straight on from that gate will enter into the temple which which gain the main gate of the temple also faces that gate to some of you will know is now blockaded.

It is, you could see the outline of it, but it is filled with stone masonry that has completely blocked it and has been blocked for many centuries and between the Mount of olives and the Eastern gate, which is now just a blank wall of Jerusalem. There is a large cemetery, a large Muslim cemetery which blocks the access to the but in the days when Christ was there. There was no cemetery down at the bottom of the of the wrench which is known as the Mount of olives was the Valley known as the Kedron Valley and then arising from the Kedron Valley Road would have taken him right to that Eastern gate. It's along the road on his way to Jerusalem. Jesus dispatches two of his disciples on an errand. This begins, I think, to set the picture because even in that the sending of the two disciples that we probably wouldn't look at to carefully under normal circumstances, but in the light of this whole event in the context we seek that this was something of a regal dispatch, he sent two of his disciples and said to them go into the village opposite you, and as soon as you have entered it.

You will find a colt tied on which no one has set loose. It and bring it and if anyone says to you, why are you doing this say the Lord has need of it and immediately he will send it here now were already beginning to see something of the regal bearing the Christ is assuming I don't mean to use that word assuming as if he's taking something that is not rightfully his, but the Lord maybe I should say is manifesting on this occasion because he is demonstrating himself to be the king. The king of Israel.

They king in David's line the inheritor of David Stroh, the greater son of David, the king of which all the Old Testament prophecies point the coming of the Messiah and now assuming his legal rights. He dispatches to unnamed disciples and tells them to go into a nearby village which undoubtedly is this village of Beth phage that would be the logical reason why it's even named it all in verse one and he says going to the village. There you will find a colt tied in front of the house young donkey that nobody has ever written written. It's an unbroken colt suitable for the needs of this particular hour because Jesus is going to make a royal procession into Jerusalem and therefore he is going to ride upon a royal mount a royal steed unto us a donkey doesn't seem like a very royal animal but in that day, it was considered to be the suitable mount for a king in times of peace.

Horses were always understood to be involved in warfare in battle.

This king is not coming at this time in war is coming at this moment in peace and so he rides a donkey which is the proper animal for that particular exercise. But the question is how did Jesus know that there would be a colt tied to the door that would be available for him and he is needed at this time and another several possibilities that could have been some communication that went on between Jesus and the owner of the cult of the village that is not revealed to us here and that's certainly not without beyond the realm of possibility. But even at that, how would Jesus know that all of the arrangements had been made. The colt was in the right place to disciples would find their unless he was exercising his divine omniscience.

This mysterious interplay between the two natures of the God man on the one hand, fully God and in full exercise of his divine capacities and on the other side fully human and as a human, not having any abilities beyond that of any other human except he had all human abilities in their fullest development because of no sin, so this would seem to be an exercise of his divine omniscience of his kingly knowledge and exercise of his kingly is kingly rights because he knew the colt was there and he knew that it would be made available to him and he told them as such and told him when you find that colt which is there on tie-in and bring it here and he tells them what to say to the attendance of the cult say to them, the Lord has need of it. Another regal declaration. Most people said Jacob has need of it.

The at the response would be. So what doesn't belong to Jacob, but the Lord has need of it rings with a royal prerogative. The Lord has need of it.

If Queen Elizabeth said I have need to borrow this automobile for a while who in England would say, your Majesty, you may not have it. But there would be an immediate yielding if the Queen needs it.

The Queen may have it. If the king needs the donkey the king may have the donkey Lord has need of it. Jesus said to his disciples to tell the attendance to this colt and the Lord will return it shortly. He's only going to Barret momentarily. You may have missed that in the language of verse three.

If you not looking at a very carefully. But Jesus said if anyone says to you, why are you doing this say here's what they are, to say the Lord has need of it and immediately he will send it here. You see, that's all part of what they are, to say it's not the Lord has need of it.

End of what they are, to say and the result of that will be that the attendance will send it here know this is all part of the words that Jesus put in the mouths of the disciples. You say to them, the Lord has need of it. And you say to them immediately or shortly he will send it here. In other words, he will return it shortly. The regal command. We secondly see what I've called a regal response in verses four through six, and by this I mean response of others to this regal presence.

The disciples go into the village and sure enough, there's the colt tied in front of the house just exactly like the Lord said it is they are actually along with its mother, which is what you might expect from a young unbroken donkey. We know that information from Matthew 21, the disciples begin to untie the animal as they have been instructed to do. But there are bystanders, presumably attendance may be wondering as an owner another one perhaps is a servant of the owner of the animal, and they are naturally reluctant to seek their property being untied by strangers and carted away. Why should they give up their animal to perfect strangers. They have every right to protest, but when the disciples speak the words that Jesus said the Lord has need of it and he will return it shortly. They gave permission. They immediately yielded to these words or change their minds, will they clearly submitted to the desires of the Lord when they heard the Lord has need of it. They knew what those words the Lord mean they must have been those who were submitted to Jesus as Lord. They must've been those who already recognized at Jesus as the Lord Jesus as the king of Israel, and when they realized that these two disciples were messengers of the K they gladly gave up their property to the to the use of the king, it occurs to me that that really is the same issue for everyone. Namely, will you submit to Jesus as Lord. That's the bottom line when you submit the Jesus as Lord. You either will now to the salvation of your soul or you will be forced to later when it will be too late for your soul salvation. Therefore, I urge you, along with these people. These owners in attendance of this colt in the little village of Beth phage, who clearly had come to own Jesus as their Lord. I urge you to join them and bow your knee duking Jesus known him as your Lord that brings us now to a regal procession in verses seven through 10 which is the heart of the passage. This is what we call the triumphal entry. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and through their close on it and he sat on it, and many spread their clothes on the road and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road than those who went before and those who followed, cried out, saying hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord blessed is the kingdom of our father David the comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. A regal procession involves a royal steed, a royal carpet and a royal announcement or presentation royal steed.

We have already examined, but here they brought the colt to Jesus put their clothes on it and he sat on it. The royal steed is presented, prepared, possessed because it is prophesied. The cold is brought it is presented to Jesus. But before he will mount this colt some of his disciples take off their outer garments and they put them over the back of the colt to form something of a makeshift saddle.

It's not suitable that a king shall ride upon a steed apart from any softening of his of his seat without a saddle for him to sit upon itself.

They prepare this animal for the use of the king and then were told, Jesus sat on him. Now remember, this is a colt upon which no one has ever written.

Most of us know what little we may know about horses and donkeys and other animals that can be written whatever little we know, we usually know this, that an animal has to be broken in an animal has to be trained and hat on animal has to be worked with before anyone can get on it and write it again. Jesus sits upon the donkey and the donkey yields to its rider without complaint and marches his rider into the city of Jerusalem as if he has been trained for this event. All of his life. This animal is possessed Christ control this unbroken donkey. This donkey yielded to its maker.

This donkey yielded to the king of K. This donkey recognize that all of nature exists that the command of this one was going to be writing into Jerusalem. But there's another reason why Jesus rode upon a donkey incentives a horse or some other animal that is in fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah chapter 9 verse nine rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, Charlotte, O daughter of Jerusalem.

Behold, your King is coming to you. He is just and having salvation lowly and riding riding on a donkey, a colt, the full of a donkey. That was the prophecy of the coming Messiah. The prophecy of the coming of Israel's king, the prophecy of the coming of the greater son of David who would sit upon his throne and rule Israel as the last King to ever sit upon David's throne. Now we go on from verse nine verse 10 will also see the emphasis upon peace as opposed to warfare. It says I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The battle bow shall be cut off, he shall speak peace to the nations. His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth cut off the chariot cut off the horse, this is not wartime. This is a time of peace and so he comes writing upon a donkey and a beast that represents peace and so the royal steed is mounted and the procession the official procession begins at that point is that happens, the crowds recognize that there is something else that needs to be done. Suitable carpet needs to be prepared on the road in front of the king, for that's the way the kings are to be received and so we read in verse eight.

Many spread their clothes on the road and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road somehow had outer garments that they could put up on the road is a suitable carpet to prepare the way were talking now about at least a mile between this point and entrance into Jerusalem that's gonna take a lot of clothes there going right out. Perhaps of outer garments and maybe not everybody even possessed one of those at the moment but for those who could not or were not were not willing to spare their clothing. They began to cut branches from around the roadside and John. It is who tells us in chapter 12 that these are palm branches. That's why we call this Palm Sunday because they spread those leafy branches on the road between the close of the carpet.

A suitable carpet was prepared fitting for a king. They wouldn't have done this for anybody else except for King, we see a similar example of this in second Kings chapter 9 when Jay, who was anointed king of Israel by Elisha and one that announcement came to those who surrounded him. This is what we read in verse 13.

Then each man hasten to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps in the blue trumpet, saying Jenny who is King a long-standing custom clothing, and in this case, and Mark branches palm branches to indicate this is no ordinary individual who was traveling along this road. This is a special personage of greatest majesty and honor in the road that he travels around needs to reflect that. And so there's a royal steed there's a royal carpet and then there's a royal announcement what we read in verses nine and 10 is the announcement of the crowds that the king is coming up what we have a description of here is what we would call antiphonal chanting.

There were two large groups to large multitude. The one group.

The one that ended up going before him actually had come out of Jerusalem. They heard he was coming and so they streamed out of the city to where he wasn't. They came to the place where he mounted this steed and they turned around and they forged the path forward. They then led the procession and they were shouting praises to him but behind him was another large crowd made up of pilgrims who were traveling like he was to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover thousands upon thousands upon thousands crowd of the roads to Jerusalem at this time of year and there's no telling how many people were involved in this hundreds at the least that were involved in this and so there was a multitude that went before him in a multitude followed him and they are crying out for the crying. Hosanna, that's a word that means Lord save, Lord, Lord, save us. Now this emergency to they were recognizing that here's the one who is able to bring salvation to Israel.

Hosanna, this is the one who is able to bring salvation. What else did they cry.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord is a quotation from Psalm 118 verse 26. During the time when crowds gathered to Jerusalem traveled to Jerusalem for any one of the three annual feast days it was customary as they work going up the incline and whatever direction they came from North Southeast West. It was always upward to the Mount Zion up to the top of the mountain where Jerusalem was situated and on the way they would chant Psalms 113 to 118, which are known as Psalms of Ascent.

This is the last one in their chanting.

They had probably copied to the end of Psalm 118, which was completely suitable for this particular occasion, and here's what we read in the last part of Psalm hundred 18 which is a messianic Psalm, and I'm reading verses 22 through 26, the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing.

It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now.

I pray the Lord all Lord I pray send now prosperity blessed to see who comes in the name save now or hosanna blessed is he comes in the name of the Lord. They are chanting passages from Psalm hundred 18 that speak of the prophesied Messiah who is indeed the ultimate king of Israel and then they add their own understanding to it. The next phrase is not from the Psalms. It is from their own proclamation.

What they have added to the Scriptures which they are declaring when they say, Blessed is the kingdom of our father David the comes in the name of the Lord blessed is the kingdom of our father David there there relating what's happening here to the kingdom of David, and they are saying this is the wad who was to fulfill those prophecies concerning the Davidic kingdom that was their understanding of what was taking place.

That was followed by another. Hosanna this time. Hosanna in the highest, which would then be Lord save from heaven.

This one. It sounds like they're saying has come from in the salvation that he brings comes from heaven, save us from heaven and they were ascribing all of these things to Jesus Christ as he was riding into Jerusalem on this young donkey, they are proclaiming Jesus Christ as King is greater son of David to sit up on David's throne.

And remember, Jesus encouraged them to do this and accepted all of this because it is true. He started all of this by sending his disciples into the village to fetch the donkey the cold and to bring it out and to mount upon it and to start riding into Jerusalem in this regal fashion in fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy. And so here he comes riding that last mile into Jerusalem with a host of of attendance hundreds if not thousands who are chanting them what was going before chanting of the ones behind picking it up and chanting and back-and-forth as a great antiphonal choir chanting these words from the Psalms chanting these proclamations that Jesus is the fulfillment of these prophecies and in that fashion, he enters into the gate of Jerusalem. You cannot manage you Cut on the head shape the.

The magnitude of the event that is taking place that arrested the attention of everyone in Jerusalem at this time, it's no wonder that this was nearly the last straw for the religious leader that hit the head come to what they thought was the last straw. Many times they had determined to destroy him before now but have been unsuccessful in doing that. But now this is just about the last straw that breaks the camels back. You say just about what's the last one last one is what happens the next day will get to that in the moment, but now they are determined.

Jesus must be destroyed. This one is being acclaimed by the multitude we must destroy him. The sad fact is, as many of us know that some of the very ones in that worshiping multitude the claimed him as King on Sunday were also part of the multitudes that cried for his death on Friday is amazing is that is clearly true that princes number four to a regal inspection of that's verse 11. This is one of the reasons why I chose Mark's passage because he highlights this awaited some of the others do not.

In verse 11 says and and Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when he looked around at all things as the hour was already late, he went out to Bethany with the 12 destination for this procession was not just the city of Jerusalem though of course it is required that but it was the temple through the Eastern gate on up into the temple is where the procession came to a halt and he went into the temple that is into the courtyard to the temple. His temple, his father's house, his temple everything that was prescribed to be carried out there all spoke of him. The need for blood sacrifice.

The need for a similar sacrifice. All was designed to speak of him.

His temple because he will now fulfill and culminate temple worship that is been going on for centuries. So he comes into his temple, and he evaluates what's going on. He looked around intently surveying all the activities as a king inspecting his domain and he took note of all the irregularity which were taking place in the temple and then were told it was late and he departed and went into the amount of volume olives.

The fact that he went and looked and inspected the temple in this fashion should've arrested attention, especially the attention of those who are doing things that they should not of been doing such as the money changers and the sellers of animals.

What he departed them out to the Mount of olives, giving those who were carrying out irregular activities an opportunity to repent before he came the next day cleansed the temple. That was the final straw for the religious leaders, but he delayed his judgment. But though it was delayed it was not denied. We read in verse 15 on Monday so they came to Jerusalem.

Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold the second cleansing of the temple he had done that once before early in his earthly ministry as recorded in John chapter 2 now the end of his earthly ministry he does it again because they didn't learn from the first time there back at it and have been all of this time. So Jesus now brings down judgment upon them though even that is only temporal judgment but all of this is a picture of the final judgment, long-delayed for Christ is long-suffering and patient even as he delayed the judgment from Sunday to Monday so he delays final judgment much longer than that, but delayed judgment is not denied judgment and that judgment will come to the impenitent and unbelieving gracious how kind for Jesus to give warning an opportunity for repentance, but when it does not come judgment must fall. Therefore, dear friend, dear friend, he'd the warnings that a gracious God sends to you, embrace the opportunities for repentance and cleansing from sins that a gracious God sends to you take the coronavirus as a warning of a far greater judgment to come and let that be your call to self examination and to dealing with your maker in the person of his son the Lord Jesus Christ. All of this is a lesson concerning Jesus Christ and who he is. He is the one who commands nature. He is the one who requires obedience. He is the one who claim subjects in many places. He is the one who deserves praise and adoration and worship. He is the one who sits on David's throne. He is the one who is coming to rule and terrain. He is the one who judges the stubborn and unbelieving and on Palm Sunday, he revealed himself for who he is King of Kings and Lord of lords.

The king who has come in the king who is coming that King gives gracious opportunity to believe and to acclaim him as Lord. But we must embrace them for who we as a not for who we want him to be. That was the problem with many of the crowds on that day, they wanted a political King who would save them from Rome.

They were not. For the most part of them interested in a godly king who would separate them from their sin's they wanted a king of their making. But Jesus will not be made into your enemy. You must conform to who he reveals himself to be someday he will come to claim his own and to judge the unrepentant who will not yield to him.

Dear friend, this is a solemn occasion. The triumphal entry because judgment is coming all will be there, each one receiving justly his due high in the savings sin cleansing blood, and I will pass will pass. That's the message on this Palm Sunday, God implanted deeply within every heart shall we pray dear blessed heavenly father gracious heavenly father. Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Your own son, whom you sent into this world to take the sinners place to take the judgment, do unto us upon himself and to promise cleansing and eternal life to all who will acknowledge their sin and will yield to the rightful claims of King Jesus Lord God. We know that the day will come when opportunity were for repentance will be over replaying that these words this portion of your word will find lodging in every heart that is listening to this today that there will be glad obedience glad surrender glad faith in the one who is King who gave himself that we might be. Say now. Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace