Celebrating Palm Sunday, we read John 12:12-19 and learn that, even as Jesus was receiving seemingly sincere praise, there were whispers of murder in the air that would within a week grow into shouts of “Crucify him!” There are many examples from across Scripture of the fear of man holding back people from sincere praise, just as we see on Palm Sunday. We also learned about the reasons Jesus set out on this mission to enter Jerusalem, setting His sights on this city to serve as the willing sacrifice He had predicted He would be several times, a necessary and holy substitute.

He alone had the power and authority to save us, not by force, but by a life of loving teaching and service, so that He could authoritatively declare on the cross: “It is finished!” Palm Sunday was the beginning of the end, the defeat of death and sin, as well as the beginning of the ending, the victorious conclusion God had composed for His creation and His people. The message of Jesus and the cross that He already had His sights set on during Palm Sunday was free forgiveness. Perhaps as we look toward Easter, we don’t understand all that Jesus is doing, just like His disciples on Palm Sunday, but we are instead attracted by the fanfare, the excitement, the success, the numbers? Do we understand well who Jesus and what His mission is (and that His mission is OUR mission as well)?

Sermon Notes