TRIUMPHANT
Scriptures: Luke 19:28-48; John 3:16-17, 14:7; Zechariah 9:9
Series: Stand Alone
Pastor Sam Pepper
New Day Christian Church, Port Charlotte, FL
April 12 & 13, 2025
I. INTRODUCTION
Our text today comes from Luke 19:28-48. It’s commonly referred to as Jesus’ triumphal entry. This is Palm Sunday. It’s Jesus’ coronation day. And we’re going to see three distinct scenes from his entry into the city of Jerusalem that help us understand who he is.
We need to make sure we’re worshipping the real Jesus, rather than mold him to our liking.
II. SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:28-48
A. Three scenes that help identify Jesus to us
- JESUS AS HUMBLE KING (LUKE 19:28-40)
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
The fact that Jesus chose an unbroken in colt is evidence of his Lordship over creation.
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
This happened just as Jesus expected it to. The Gospel of John makes clear that at the time the disciples didn’t realize this was a fulfillment of the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9,
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
You may be apart of a great story God is writing right now and you don’t even realize it.
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
Throwing your cloak on the ground before the donkey was symbolic of putting yourself at the feet of the king. Riding a donkey was symbolic of a king coming peacefully, lowly (as Zachariah said). This was Jesus’ humble coronation.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
It’s been estimated the worshipful crowd likely numbered anywhere between a few hundred up to as many as 250,000 people. A safe conclusion would lean towards somewhere in the middle – certainly in the thousands or tens of thousands.
The crowd was diverse: Disciples – the devoted followers of Jesus. New followers – those who had witnessed his miracles and intrigued by his power. The natural crowd already in Jerusalem for the Passover. Religious leaders who were watching Jesus’ every move.
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
A reference that even creation brings him glory he deserves.
2. JESUS AS COMPASSIONATE SAVIOR (LUKE 19:41-44)
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Jesus wept because he could see the future. He knew what was coming.
Jesus knew the destruction that would come for that city – for God’s Chosen people – and it grieved him. He warned the residents if they did not repent, they were about to be destroyed.
3. JESUS AS RIGHTEOUS JUDGE (LUKE 19:45-48)
In the court of Gentiles, there were money tables set up to convert foreign currency to temple money so out of town visitors could pay the temple tax. There were animals being sold for special sacrifices to replace the animals brought by worshippers. Prices inside the temple were inflated to 20X that of outside the temple.
45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
Jesus is morally outraged and addresses the problem.
III. APPLICATION
A. THREE QUESTIONS TO MAKE SURE YOU’RE WORSHIPPING THE RIGHT JESUS
- IS HE THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE OF YOUR LIFE?
Do you let Jesus decide what is right and wrong in your life? If Jesus came into your heart as he did the Temple would he turn things in your life upside down?
2. IS HE YOUR COMPASSIONATE SAVIOR?
Jesus came to break the curse of sin. He came to seek and save the lost. He came to extend mercy you do not deserve and grace you cannot earn. And he did it all by going to the cross.
3. IS HE YOUR HUMBLE KING?
Will you submit to His authority?
IV. CONCLUSION
Will you receive him today as Righteous Judge, Compassionate Savior, and Humble King?
The Bible says when we’re ready to receive him, we’re to be baptized. Baptism marks Jesus’ coronation over your life….marks him as king of your heart. Won’t you accept him as your Savior today?
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