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Redeemer Church Mauritius
Palm Sunday - Phil Kendon
Jesus' arrival in the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was actually a step inside the lions’ den. His enemies were waiting for him. They were watching his every move, listening to his every word, seeking to trip him up, and finally, they found their way in through the traitor, Judas. But there were also others waiting for Jesus. Some saw Jesus as nothing more than a prophet, while others were looking for a genie in the bottle to meet their needs. And finally, disciples who got to experience the Passion Week in a close personal relationship with Jesus. This message is about recognising Jesus for who he is - the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
Locations & Times
Redeemer Church Mauritius
Mauritius
Sunday 9:30 AM
1. Some were threatened by Jesus
- They were enemies seeking to do him harm.
- But Jesus had the courage to confront them.
- Jesus made a perfect judgment without bias or offence.
- Jesus modelled compassion for his enemies.
Luke 19:41-44 (NIV)
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 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. 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. 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.”
- They were enemies seeking to do him harm.
- But Jesus had the courage to confront them.
- Jesus made a perfect judgment without bias or offence.
- Jesus modelled compassion for his enemies.
Luke 19:41-44 (NIV)
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 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. 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. 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.”
2. Some saw Jesus as a prophet but no more
Matthew 16:13–17 (NIV)
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
- God revealed Jesus to Peter and gave him an assurance that Jesus was the Messiah.
- God promises that we will find him when we seek him with all our heart.
Matthew 16:13–17 (NIV)
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
- God revealed Jesus to Peter and gave him an assurance that Jesus was the Messiah.
- God promises that we will find him when we seek him with all our heart.
3. Some saw Jesus as a genie in the bottle
- Jesus fed the 5,000, and then they wanted more.
- Jesus refused to be a genie in the bottle.
- We force our attention away from our own needs and give God an opportunity to reveal Jesus to us when we immerse ourselves in his words.
John 6:67–69 (NIV)
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
- Jesus fed the 5,000, and then they wanted more.
- Jesus refused to be a genie in the bottle.
- We force our attention away from our own needs and give God an opportunity to reveal Jesus to us when we immerse ourselves in his words.
John 6:67–69 (NIV)
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
4. Some believed and lived as Jesus' disciples
- They got to worship Jesus as King as he rode into Jerusalem.
Luke 19:36-38 (NIV)
As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 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: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
- They got to witness his passion and love for God’s house.
Luke 19:45–46 (NIV)
When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
- They got to eat the Passover with Jesus and partake in the first communion.
Luke 22:19–20 (NIV)
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
- They were with him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- They witnessed his trial, his crucifixion, and his resurrection.
- They got to worship Jesus as King as he rode into Jerusalem.
Luke 19:36-38 (NIV)
As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 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: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
- They got to witness his passion and love for God’s house.
Luke 19:45–46 (NIV)
When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
- They got to eat the Passover with Jesus and partake in the first communion.
Luke 22:19–20 (NIV)
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
- They were with him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- They witnessed his trial, his crucifixion, and his resurrection.
Let's Apply It:
Who can you invite to an Easter Service this week?
Who can you invite to an Easter Service this week?
