TURNING REJECTION INTO A TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

(Luke 19:28-40)
December 28, 2016
Read Text A lady got up early one morning and made a mad dash from the
house as she heard the garbage truck pulling away. She was in her old
bathrobe, hair in curlers, no makeup, beat-up old slippers a frightful sight.
She hollered, Am I too late for the garbage? The guy answered, No, hop
right on in. Appearances can be deceiving, cant they? Our text looks like a
triumphal entry to Jerusalem, doesnt it? Probably called that in your Bible.
But it is not. What should have been the greatest day in the history of Israel
was its worst nightmare. As Jesus reaches the climax of His earthly ministry,
He finally offers Himself to Israel as King, but because He does not fit their
idea of King, He is rejected! Thats been the trend for some time but now its
official. The consequences are still resounding.
Jesus arrived in Bethany, 7 miles from Jerusalem on Saturday of His last
week. Then He entered and left Jerusalem 3 times in the next 3 days. He
presents Himself as the long-awaited Messiah or Anointed One. The OT had
3 offices that required one to be anointed prophets, priests and kings. Jesus
is all in one. G. Campbell Morgan notes that He makes that point by entering
Jerusalem on Sunday as King, on Monday to cleanse the temple as priest, and
on Tuesday to contest religious leaders as prophet. Hes rejected in all 3 cases.
Today we look at His offer to be their King. The problem was, He didnt look
like they thought He should and didnt do what they thought He would. The
accepted only on the surface as the next week would show. So, they missed
the best thing that could ever have happened to them because they were
deceived by appearances. Lets unpack their tragedy in 4 acts.
I.

Despite Appearances, Jesus is the King of Kings

Up until now Jesus has refused all attempts to identify Him publicly as
Messiah or King. But now He encourages it. Why? The time has come. Jesus
is officially offering Himself as Israels Messiah and King. The people are
calling out in 19:38, Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the
Lord. Thats a quotation directly from Psa 118:26 which applies to Messiah.
The crowd of visitors desperately want it to be so and Jesus is encouraging it.

But lets face it, He doesnt look much like a king. Contrast Queen Elizabeth
riding to her coronation in 1953 in a gold carriage behind hundreds and troops
and bands with Jesus riding on the colt of a donkey. Not very impressive
really. It confused His closest disciples. Jn 12:16 His disciples did not
understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they
remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done
to him. They want Him as king all right, but this is hardly encouraging.
Riding a donkey into town, and as well see in v. 41 weeping as He goes?
They must be thinking: What are you doing? You should be on a war horse,
not this little colt. Whats wrong with you? Youre look like Sancho Panza.
And He did. Compared to Caesar, he didnt look like a King.
And He didnt act like a king. Next day he alienated the religious community
by kicking them out of the temple. Instead of driving out the Romans, He is
driving out His own people. Nothing like they expected. Is it any wonder 5
days on this same crowd is crying out, Crucify Him. They wanted a King
they could control a king who would do as they thought best a king after
their own wicked hearts; Jesus was not that king -- so they killed Him.
But But, Jesus is Gods King. They should have known that the disciples
most of all. They should have remembered Zech 9: 9)Behold, your king is
coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on
a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Heres Jesus doing exactly that. In
fact, Matt reports (21:2) that they actually got two donkeys that morning a
mother and her foal. So Jesus is riding along on the colt while the mother
walks beside showing the precision of this fulfillment. Jesus was making
crystal clear that He was Gods King.
The disciples also should have remembered Solomon went to his coronation
riding on a donkey (I Kings 1:32-40). Why? Because he was the king of
peace. David, the warrior King was not allowed to build a temple, but
Solomon, who reigned in peace, did built it. He was a man of peace who
symbolically brought God to the people in the temple. And Jesus in His first
coming was the King of peace bringing God to the people in reality thru His
death and resurrection. He didnt come to cast out Romans but to cast out sin
and death and Satan. That required strength demonstrated in weakness the
weakness of the cross where once and for all through death he [destroyed]
the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil (Heb 2:14). Jesus
disciples could never get that until later. Jesus riding that donkey into town
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didnt look very kingly, but He was showing more strength than if He had
arrived on a white horse leading 10 divisions of soldiers. He is Gods King.
Hell look a little different the next time He rides into Jerusalem: Rev
19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on
it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
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His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he
has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe
dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
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And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were
following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with
which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He
will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his
robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of
lords. He came the first time to deliver from sin and death all who will
repent. But He is not done. Soon He is coming again to deliver from Rome
and from every other earthly power those who belong to Him. What that
generation of Jews missed out on, we can have. But Jesus must be King of
our heart before Hes King of our world. King of kings. Is He your king?
II.

Despite Appearances, Jesus Has All Authority

He didnt look like it that day, and He didnt look like it a week later when He
lay stone dead in the tomb, killed bc He didnt follow their script. But despite
appearances Jesus has all authority. Hed already shown that with every
miracle He ever performed. And you can even see it subtly in this account.
Over Nature Hed already displayed that turning water into wine, calming
a turbulent sea, turning 5 loaves and 2 fish into a banquet for thousands. Hed
already amazed them with His power over nature. But here it is again. Jesus
sends His disciples in v. 30 after a colt on which no one has ever yet sat.
Why mention that? Ever try to sit a calf or colt of a horse or donkey or mule
thats never been ridden? This is supreme authority over nature.
And look at 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, Teacher,
rebuke your disciples. 40 He answered, I tell you, if these were silent, the
very stones would cry out. Exaggeration? Probably. But it reflects a great
truth. Psa 96: 12) let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees
of the forest sing for joy 13) before the LORD, for he comes. Jesus is saying,
Listen, this event is so noteworthy that if the people didnt cheer it on,
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nature would. We think of salvation in purely personal terms. But the Bible
teaches the Fall broke everything not just human existence, but all nature.
It was made to glorify God just as we were. So, Rom 8:19: For the creation
waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. Why? Because
it, too, was corrupted, and it too must be delivered. And so it shall for Jesus
has all authority. And if the trees are going to dance when Christ comes to
rule, imagine what it will be like for us! Christs transforming power
unleashes the potential which is stifled by the corruption of sin.
Over People Look in vv. 32-33 how even colt owners give up a valuable
possession at His mere request. And consider this. The Jewish leaders are now
frantic to kill Jesus. But as Passover approaches, Matt 26:5 But they said,
Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people. Thats a
Problem! That would be too late. The hour is now (Jn 13:1). He is the
Lamb of God who has come to take away the sin of the world. The
ultimate sacrifice must be at Passover. Later is too late.
So Jesus accepts this massive display of popular acclaim to force the hand of
these leaders. Jewish leaders are being undermined and must act NOW! When
Judas comes forward, Gods timetable is perfectly enacted. As thousands of
other lambs were being slain symbolizing forgiveness, Jesus was dying to
actually provide forgiveness. He has all authority. The timetable is Gods
not mans. Solomon knew it. Prov 16:33, The lot is cast into the lap, but its
every decision is from the LORD. Theres no such thing as chance. Thats why
Paul can say so confidently, And we know that for those who love God all
things work together for good, for those who are called according to his
purpose (Rom 8:28). Virtually the last thing He told His disciples was, All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Thats a great truth
to live by when appearances contrary.
III.

Despite Appearances, Jesus Requires Total Submission

His message had always demanded commitment. Lu 9:23, If anyone would

come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow
me. But this outward, public acceptance as King in Davids line was new
and it cut to the heart of the issue His identity. Indifference was no longer
an option for anyone. Hes not only forcing their hand; He is forcing their
heart. Hes saying, Crown me as your King or kill me. Those are the only
two choices. And every individual must now decide what side they are on.
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All His claims are now publicly on the line. As the Son of God I can be your
deliverer; I can be your healer; I can be your friend; I can be your
shepherd; I alone can lead you to God because I am the way, and the truth
and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me. I can be all of
that to you, but first I must be King of your heart. Its submit to or kill me.
Thats the same message Jesus has for each of us this morning. You cannot
merely like me. Because of what I did for you on the cross, you must
crown me or kill me. I must be your King or you must become part of the
execution squad. No middle ground. You cannot dabble in me. You cannot
have me on Sunday and deny me the rest of the week. If Jesus is truly the
king of kings and truly has all authority, why would we expect anything less?
With His death and resurrection, Jesus forces the question of His identity on
all of us. Theologian Michael Bird says growing up all he knew of Christianity
was what he heard from Ned Flanders on The Simpsons. But he says, At our
high school graduation ceremony Chaplain Graham told us, The most
important question you will ever ask is, who is Jesus? Is he a lunatic, a liar,
or Lord? Bird says, I rolled my eyes at the time, but the question stuck.
Who is Jesus and what is all the fuss about? Years later as a paratrooper, I
came to the decision that Jesus was definitely Lord." So what have you
decided? Our eternal destiny is at stake on the answer we give.
IV.

Despite Appearances, Jesus is Rejected

The crowd seemed to accept Him. They were overwhelmingly enthusiastic. At

Passover there were usually between 1 and 2 million visitors in Jerusalem (a
city of 80,000). Some estimate there could have been 100,000 people cheering
Jesus entry. Celebrity visits were really big in those days. And the thought
that this might be Messiah had expectations at a fever pitch. The crowds have
lined the way with palm branches which Luke does not mention. But he does
mention: 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. Its
the red-carpet treatment a sign of their submission. But there was a huge
problem. They were accepting Him for who they wanted Him to be, not for
who He actually was.
But disaster lurks just beneath the surface. Jn 12:17-18: The crowd that
had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him
from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to
meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. True worshipers? A few,
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yes. But most were fire engine chasers there for the spectacle. The
Pharisees are beside themselves: Teacher, rebuke your disciples (39). Despite
appearances, this is actually the official rejection of Jesus Christ.
This is the last appearance of these enemies of Christ in Luke and they stay
true to form: Teacher, rebuke your disciples. In other words, stop acting like
the Kingly Messiah, Davids son. Stop acting like God. Who do you think you
are? Simple words. But it doesnt take much to reject Jesus. Refuse to accept
Him as the God/man and you have rejected the One and only hope sent by
the Father to redeem fallen humanity. Theyre symbolic of whats doing
behind the scenes, where the nations leaders are plotting His execution.
And look at Jesus reaction. Does He rejoice over the wild acclaim? Hardly.
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it. Well see
precisely why next week, but suffice to say He saw the reception for what it
was wild enthusiasm for His miracle-power that would turn murderous by
the end of the week when He would not bend to their definition of His
identity. Jesus was not fooled. They wanted what He might give them, but
when He would not march to the beat of their drum when He refused to be
the Messiah they wanted they turned Him down flat and killed Him. Its all
downhill from here. Crowds are always fickle and this one was no exception.
Conc -- But in conclusion, let me offer hope! What Jesus rejecters meant for
evil, God used for good. He always does. He never loses. In rejecting Jesus,
this crowd was only furthering Gods eternal plan for redemption that even
included them if they would turn and believe. Shortly after this Jesus said in
Jn12:32, And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to
myself. That is what He is doing today. He is drawing near to you. He is
asking to enter your world, just as He entered Jerusalem. He is asking to be
your King as He offered to be their King. He is asking you not to join the
crowd in killing Him. Instead He is asking you to die with Him at the cross
so that you can leave cleansed, forgiven, guilt-free before God and ready to
join His new life. They wouldnt go there. The question is, will we?!
In C. S. Lewis Narnia Chronicles, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver explain to the 4
children (Pete, Susan, Edmund and Lucy) about Aslan (the lion who depicts
Christ). Lewis writes: Ooh!" said Susan, "Id thought he was a man. Is he
quite safe? I shall feel rather anxious about meeting a lion." "That you
will, Dearie, and make no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver, "if theres anyone
who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, theyre either
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braver than most or else just silly." "Then he isnt safe?" said Lucy.
"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Dont you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who
said anything about safe? Course he isnt safe. But hes good. Hes the
King, I tell you." Hes not safe. Reject Him and you seal your own eternal
doom. But He is infinitely good. Accept Him as King by faith and He will
forgive, cleanse and save you. We can turn their rejection into a triumphal
entry to our heart! I hope youve done that. Lets pray.