Jesus Christ Seated on a donkey's colt! (1st April 2012)

Scripture Reading: John 12:12~15

12. The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.

13. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"

14. Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,

15. "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."

 

 

Sermon: Jesus Christ Seated on a donkey's colt!

When Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem seating on a donkey, so many crowd shouted " Hosanna" while they spread branches of Palm tree.

What is the meaning of [hosanna]? "please save or save now" From what do they save? In the period Judae was a colony of Rome. They believed Jesus Christ saved them from the occupation of Rome. When they shouted at him? Jesus came to Jerusalem. How did he come to there?

Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem seated on a donkey's colt.

Generally, when heros came to castle or city shown as movie of Ben-Hur. and Gladiator, they took beautiful coaches or wagon for battle. Moreover, there were so many people who spread tree branches and clothes with flower leaves. But, Jesus took a very humble donkey even though he got honour by power of healing, excellent teaching, and great humanity.

What is a donkey in the Middle East? Donkey is avery familiar animal to people. It is able to carry burden more than ten times of its weight. It is very powerful. Nevertheless it is very faithful to people rather than it is not harm to them. It can carry whatever, like stones, heavy water pots, livestock and so forth. It is only for its hosts. However, the worst word of abuse is " be like donkeys"! Being faithful and knowing only one could be very stupid to people. So donkeys are very poor to receive the unreasonable abuse. With evil world's standard. they may not accept the worth of being faithful. But Jesus chose this donkey to take for achieving the prophecy. How?

Firstly, Jesus seated on a donkey entered Jerusalem as a GREAT PROPHET. For a long time, there are so many prophet as a mouth of God. Jesus Christ is the first. Shown as Zechariah 9:9, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." For achieving this prophecy, he took a donkey which never took anyone before. It means Jesus is not different from secular leaders who searched greeds and power of this world. He is a innocent leader of proclaiming God's power and revelations.

Secondly, Jesus seated on a donkey entered Jerusalem as a GREAT PRIEST

When the Baptist John saw Jesus Christ first, he introduced Jesus as "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) Yes, he was the most perfect sacrifice for God. For all people's sins, he was the most pleased sacrifice for God. So, in order to save all people of this world, he came to Jerusalem. It is a glory not for a human Jesus but for God.

Thirdly, Jesus seated on a donkey entered Jerusalem as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. People of Judea were waiting for a king who saved them from Rome in its occupation and reconstructed the Kingdom of David. Yeah Jesus was able but he could not. The reason is that Jesus dominates all countries. It means him to dominate not only Rome but also kingdom of Satan.

By a view of human, he, seated on a donkey, looked very humble. but he came to Jerusalem as Great PROPHET, PRIEST, and KING OF KINGS.

Therefore, we need to open our eyes to see real Jesus Christ on this Palm Sunday. Do not see sparkling and stimulate things of this world. Jesus Christ wants us to overcome all these. He are preparing what we can not expect. Like a miracle he came to us. Now it is time to accept Jesus Christ in our heart and make him be a lord of our life. By this, I hope to be please his coming to us. Let's pray.

God Almighty, Thanks for your miracle which we can not think. We welcome to the King of glory for saving us. Please be your people who always are with Jesus Christ, In Jesus' name we pray Amen.