The Day of Selection (Part A)

It's going to create a lot of twist and turns in the minds of those who are going to observe his entry. His teachings in Jerusalem is trail's crucifixion. Just like today, there are things that Jesus allows to happen that create condition for me to have to struggle through and trust by faith according to his Word the apostles had to trust him according to his words said he would die and rise again. They had be a part of that experience. This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville.

Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of Mark, please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching. Today we join Pastor Rick for brand-new study called the day of selection in Mark chapter 11 in the Gospel of Mark chapter 11 verses one through 11 now when he when they drew near Jerusalem to Bethphage. He and Bethany at the Mount of olives, he sent two of his disciples said to them go into the village opposite you, and as soon SU 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. So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside the street, and they loosed it. Some of those who stood there said to them, what are you doing loosening the colt they spoke to them, just as Jesus commanded, so they let them go. Then they brought the call 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 Yahweh. Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple when he had looked around at all things is the hour was already late, went out to Bethany with the 12, the day of selection. We know it is Palm Sunday and here we have the story, of course, of Christ coming to Jerusalem, the disciples are always a part of the picture of his ministry and very important part. We have the crowds we have the man longer colt. We have the colt itself and then we have what was going on in Jerusalem and it is Sunday and ancient Israel.

On this day, when the sacrificial animals for the Passover selected by the head of the household men of the household.

They were selected for days before the sacrifice they be set aside and observed to make sure there were no defects with them before they were offered up to God.

Exodus chapter 12 verse three Moses told the people speak to the congregation of Israel, God of course. Speaking to Moses to tell the people saying on the 10th of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household of the 10th was four days before the 14th. Obviously, which was the day of Passover, the 14th of Nisan, and so it is the day when the Passover lamb would be selected and Jesus of course is the Passover lamb selected by the father and hopefully I can bring that out as we move forward.

Verse one.

Now now when they drew near Jerusalem and Bethphage E.

And Bethany at the Mount of olives, he sent two of his disciples. The two villages named here are close to one another. Bethany means the house of dates is not where you go to find someone to go out with for the night.

Of course it is the date palms of their and Bethphage E means the house of unripe figures, you know, they didn't put too much on the names after they were named, we do mean it's interesting they would name a place that place of unripe figs doesn't sound very appealing but Bethphage. He was the larger of the two Bethany is where the disciples will find the colt Jesus had dear friends in and Bethany will come to that. Towards the end of this morning's consideration.

But the Mount of olives. This 2 mile long bridge on the east side of Jerusalem forming that eastern border of Jerusalem is about 300 feet higher in elevation so you have a clear view of the city of Jerusalem. To this day you stand at the Mount of olives. You could see the the Temple Mount to the dome of the rock. Interesting thing about the dome of the rock we know it doesn't belong there, but God put it there to keep Jerusalem from being bombed and from us or other reasons, the wisdom of God. Things are just not comfortable for us have a meaning with him but that's a side note, but you can see the city.

The many olive groves that used to be there.

Thus, the name the Mount of olives is where Jesus was betrayed and arrested where Peter swung his sword and hacked off the ear of Malcolm's when Christ returns his feet will touch down upon the Mount of olives very significant place in the Scripture and history to come. Zechariah 14 in that day his feet will stand on the Mount of olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east amount of olives shall be split in two, from east to west making a very large valley half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. We will we who believe will be there to see that and I'm very excited. Please don't get in my way. I want to clear view of this going on anyway is also the exact point where he ascended into heaven. From this Mount of olives. Acts chapter 1, the angel speaking to the disciples. Verse 11 said men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up in the heaven work to do in you looking up in heaven and this same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet Mount of olives, which is in Jerusalem, the Sabbath day's journey, and so the Mount of olives, very special place for us who believe.

Verse two and he said to them go into the village opposite you, and as soon as you have entered it. You will find a colt on which no one has set loose it and bring it. It is specifically stated that no man has ever been on this animal and it is if it had been.

It would've been unfit for service because the Jews regarded animals that had never been ridden particularly suited for holy purposes in this one again. No one had ever sat on it before, and yet it will perform as though it were well trained. Once the master gets his hands on it. Verse three 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. Evidently, this was a prearranged meeting Jesus did a lot of work in Bethany and stayed there often and at some point knows he may have healed this person or someone in their family, and he said I'm going to need a donkey like you to supply it, and here's what I like to do and he is wet and he is in and in their here we have it acted out, and so he bestowed on this man when he says here immediately.

He will send it there were others involved with someone, was the boss and that person has unique and deprive priceless privilege ministering to the master with his donkey like nobody else.

He has a share in the fulfillment of prophecy because this is prophetic Lord again through Zechariah called the South will get to that Zechariah 9 quotation in the end of the of the section of this morning's consideration with this man forever has a place in the story he participated.

Even though he doesn't seem to have gone to the parade are lessons all over that it's over movers for now so they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside the street, and they loosed it. Some of those who stood there said to him, what are you doing loosening the colt, and they spoke to them, just as Jesus commanded, so they let them go. Another interesting point is Jesus was as often as he could he send out his disciples into with going to that in other sections of the Scripture. But that's need be sent two of them this day to get the colt, and as he said it happened it was all anticipated and just the authority of Christ and his word and in the readiness of those who submit to what he had to say. But there are some facts concerning this little animal that are quite interesting from the Scripture. And I think that they minister to us. That donkey had to be redeemed when it was born law commanded the firstborn donkey to be redeemed by a lamb or its neck was to be broken.

Sacrifice to the Lord or suffer the loss Exodus chapter 13. But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its net allele is another break I made the donkey.

I will I will be all redeem it. I will pay the price for this so it's sort of a place all of a sudden there's this donkey in the Old Testament. Exodus getting this attention in connection with the lamb and then we come to this section. It's an easy connection. We can understand this little donkey was born under the sentence of death redeem him or kill him and redeem him with a lamb either donkey had to die, or the lamb had to die which would it be and it was redeemed. This donkey was redeemed and it was ready to serve, but while it was redeemed at life is tied to a post that's pretty interesting to because it had life but it did not have liberty needed to be released if it was going to serve Ford could bear the weight of the Lord on it needed the Lord's commandments needed the freedom to do so. That donkey would then be ruled by the Lord as we will see it happen. It was not free to run off in Gallup and do whatever it wanted to do, simply because it was redeemed. It was tied preserved was used at his word. I look at the story. I think that donkey can serve the Lord. I can serve the Lord. That donkey can submit to the Lord. I can submit to the Lord if the Lord can redeem the donkey Lord can redeem me to so many means that belong to this little moment in history. Once that donkey was brought into obedience to Christ. It was able to serve him. Isaiah says this interesting thing in Isaiah chapter 1 to the ox knows its owner and the donkey it's master's crib, but Israel does not know my people do not consider for the prophetess saying dumb animals. They understand their master. What is your problem is people who were supposed to be far more intelligent or more capable so this little donkey in the story that goes with it illustrates God's law of liberty freedoms to be a servant of God. We are free to be his slaves and we should not be intimidated by that word because of what men have done to other men should understand we are bond servants of Christ, we are willing slaves of Jesus Christ. That is a special category verse seven. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and through their close on it and he sat on so you see the attention in the care that he is he is getting in the presence of this multitude, Christ is now going to mount this colt and that provides a picture of humility for us because as he's riding on this little donkey. His feet are somewhat scraping the ground is not writing in like a general steed.

This is a picture of humility is saying I could white displays out.

That's not what he came for the Son of Man came to seek and serve those who are lost which is mankind.

All eyes are on Jesus and the donkey is a part of that there watching him as he is riding in again.

Donkey can serve the Lord.

So can I what there is no it's not much of an excuse that remains for Christians to not be involved in that little donkey pressuring the Christ of God into the city amid the crowd.

The multitudes the hosannas. The excitement and he seems to be just such a cool calm figure just plodding along carrying the Lord delivered from death by the land free to be his servant. Verse eight, and many spread their close on the road and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

That's why most of these are date palms in the palm branches put on the road. There we call it Palm Sunday.

This is as I mentioned a Sunday at even in the days of the of Israel's kings state they did such things. Second Kings chapter 9 vintage men hasten to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps and they blew the trumpet Sanjay, who is King RJ, who turned out to be a rotten King but he drove his chariot in a very fierce way.

But my point is that this was a custom of announcing that this is the king and that Jesus is doing just this. He has suppressed his messianic ministry.

Now he's publicly declaring verse eight and many spread their clothes on the road and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road again as they did in the days of the king and the Lord is making his public ministry known to everyone as as I just mentioned his messianic ministry. This is this is important is vital to the story. It held it back while he ministered. As hardest as it is to believe in Christ. Even after you become a believer. There are things that will try to get us to doubt him or to doubt parts of him to accept parts of his word and doubt. Other parts of his word, how much more difficult would it have been to doubt Christ if he did, no miracles, but the fact that he did so many of them attracts us strengthens our faith.

They were there countless miracles just by knowing the future telling the future. The lessons he taught the people we heal the walking on the water which was really a delicate touch was outstanding, and many of these people had witnessed these things take place fact these Jews that are yelling hosanna are primarily the Galileans you not to Jerusalem should which becomes a problem when the church is establishing the book of acts because you had the Hellenistic Jews that were influenced by the aggression, culture, and then you had the Jerusalem Jews that were English spoke the Hebrew and they look down some. Many of them want anyone who did not, and it became sort of a grounds for Satan to create a clash between the believers, but the apostles dealt with it than in those days as the ministers have to deal with such classes. To this day, but this is his official entry into Jerusalem is the son of David, publicly to Declaring himself. I am the king, it's going to create a lot of twist and turns in the minds of those who going to observe his entry. His teachings in Jerusalem is betrayal's crucifixion. Just like today, there are things that Jesus allows to happen that create condition for me to have to struggle through in trust by faith according to his word. The apostles had to trust him according to his words that he would die and rise again. They had to be a part of that experience bought Emmaus blind bought Emmaus in the last chapter he called it out loud. He identified Christ as the rightful heir to David's throne. Jesus son of David, have mercy on me that son of David, to saying he's in the lineup of the king. This is Messiah. Verse nine then those who went before and those who follow cried out, saying hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh, that's that covenant name of Yahweh between the Jews and in God. Hosanna, this comes from Psalm 118 which is a messianic song. It became a cry of joy and blessing to say, hosanna, which is, as they are using it here, they using it in the proper context. But they really don't go far enough.

Will get to see that moment houses crowd going to feel four days from now in crisis going to be on the cross, perplexed, brokenhearted, sure, but they will not be the ones that will be shouting, crucify him that would be a different group.

These are pilgrims there coming for the Passover feast primarily from the east route from Capernaum is region of the Sea of Galilee and they have these expectations that Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecies as Messiah. He is did not understand it would be two parts to this fulfillment. And so this time he comes as a spiritual deliver lowly riding on a donkey.

Next time he comes as a conquering hero warhorse. That's why when we read this in Revelation chapter 19 we like it very much. Revelation 19 verse 11 I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse and he who sat on him was called faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. And then it continues down verse 14 and the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses that will be hostile believers.

I have some questions still about heaven, for instance, will we be ticklish so important right from the visit. We don't like to be tickled for continues here about his army now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations. And he himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. He has on his robe and on the thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of lords. This is the same Jesus that is riding into Jerusalem on that faraway day on a donkey. He is returning and he will be on a horse. Paul tells us what then happens.

First Corinthians 15.

Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom of God to look to God the father may reread that.

Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom of God the father when he puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. No more politicians hand that that alone makes a good dog, having appealing, just that much. As I mentioned within four days, another crowd will be howling but it will not be hosanna be crucify him and that I said these were the Galilean Jews coming to the Passover. John, who is writing about this very moment in the 12th chapter says, then the next day, a great multitude had come to the feast. Both of the pilgrims coming to the Passover. The men were required to come to Jerusalem for the celebration. All the male Jews were required to come to Jerusalem. And of course many would bring their families and so this was a big crowd a lot of people there continues in John 12, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him and cried out hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh, the king of Israel, and so would John by importing John is because in pointing out that again.

There are two crowds that will be crying out within these four days Galileans enjoyed so many of his miracles in the Jerusalem Jews who did not enjoy as many because of the leadership in Jerusalem because they were so hostile to him. Matthew chapter 2110 and when he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, who is this 12 Galilean Jews and have asked that question a new Chrysler is whether cutting on the palm branches Alayna before him and cheering him on with the Jerusalem Jews did not know most of great multitude of them.

They're the ones that are making that inquiry and Matthew picks it up.

Thanks again to the leaders who made Jerusalem a hostile place where Jesus could not function as he could function further to the north.

John's Gospel 11 above the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command that of anyone knew where he was. He should reported that they might seize him is that hostility that I was mentioning why he ministered so much in other areas so our eyes as we look at this event. Our eyes are on him. Christ, we hear their praise but we see him marching toward death and life for us is no reason to do this, but for sinners. There is no motivation in the universe as to why God would send his son to suffer such things, except to redeem purchase back sinners by definition people that are not very appealing. We may be appealing Things about us that are appealing to each other given time go on a trip with somebody for a week. By day five you looking at it. Maybe by day to minimum your personality you're looking for relief. Otherwise, you could just another somewhat wonderful person. Wonderful relations good for sinners when messed up. God knows it and he doesn't give up on us and that tells us we're supposed to do some of that were not supposed to give up on other people just because they're not behaving playing life.

We know these things and we are devoted we who believe to improving our performances.

Christian move. Thanks for tuning in to cross reference radio for this study in the book of Mark cross reference radio is the teaching ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville in Virginia to learn more information about this ministry. Visit our website cross reference radio.com once you're there you will find additional teachings from Pastor Rick. We encourage you to subscribe to our podcast. When you subscribe will be notified of each new edition of cross reference radio you could search for cross reference radio on your favorite podcast app that's all we have time for today, but we hope you'll join us next time. As Pastor Rick continues to teach through the book of Mark Reiki on cross reference radio