The Road to Calvary
Easter 25’ • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.
And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.
They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.
And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”
And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
It’s spring, and that means it’s almost time for family vacations.
Of course, not every tourist site can be on your “must do” list.
I read one list of spots to avoid visiting, including:
• The Library of Discarded ATM Receipts
• The Museum of Art Created Just to Belittle You
• World of Wasps!
• The Hall of Unflattering Mirrors
That has me thinking about some places every preacher would want to visit on summer vacation. Among the thrilling sites on my list:
• The world’s tallest steeple-229 feet (atop First Baptist of Huntsville, Ala.)
• The world’s largest Bible-weighing in at 1,094 pounds (at Abilene Christian University)
But I must admit there are some vacation attractions for preachers that I may just pass on, including:
• The Museum of Expired Sunday School Curriculum
• The world’s largest offering plate
• The world’s largest Christian bookstore with absolutely no books
• The leaning tower of offering envelopes
• The tomb of the unknown deacon
But I am keeping my eyes peeled for possible sites to add to this year’s vacation itinerary. For example, I just ran across news of the famous “All-Year, Around-the-Clock, Covered-Dish Supper.” I mean, who could resist a visit to a place like that?
Each of us will choose many roads in life. Some out of pleasure, some of necessity, and some some roads that we must travel faithfully, even if the road is not of our choosing or desire.
Yet, Jesus walked an unpleasant road and He did so willingly. Not because He was a masochist but because He loved you and me.
The journey to Calvary was a journey of many roads.
I. A road of obedience.
I. A road of obedience.
A. The disciples obedience of Jesus.
A. The disciples obedience of Jesus.
They obeyed in getting the donkey and colt.
B. Jesus obedience of the Father.
B. Jesus obedience of the Father.
Phil. 2.8
The New King James Version Chapter 2
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Matthew A. The King Enters His City with Triumph and Meekness (21:1–11)
They anticipated the sovereignty but overlooked the sacrifice
II. A road of sacrifice.
II. A road of sacrifice.
A. Sacrifice of a donkey.
A. Sacrifice of a donkey.
The owner was willing to give his donkey to strangers.
B. Sacrifice of will.
B. Sacrifice of will.
This required a willingness to sacrifice
III. A road of prophecy.
III. A road of prophecy.
A. A prophecy of His mode of arrival.
A. A prophecy of His mode of arrival.
“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
B. A prophecy of the majesty of His arrival.
B. A prophecy of the majesty of His arrival.
Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
Maybe there were some who felt betrayed. They had sacrificed there safety to proclaim Jesus the Messiah. They risked offending the Romans to declare that Jesus was the true king of Israel. They sacrificed, clothes, and time, to bow down before Him. Yet, just a few days later He would die and leave them.
Was their sacrifice in vain?
Is serving Christ worth it, even when serving Him means sacrifice?
Today, can you still proclaim, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Today, can you still proclaim, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”
