Palm Sunday
"Preparation & Celebration"
Zechariah 9:9 prophesied in the Old Testament that the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey to the shouts of Hosanna.
“This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.”
-Matthew 21:4-7
(Ex. 12:3 10th of Nisan, select a lamb)
“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven! Then Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
-Matthew 21:8-11
“Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ I tell you,” he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’ 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.’”
-Luke 19:38-42
Before Palm Sunday Jesus said;
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing…you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
–Lk 13:34+
“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.’”
- Luke 19:38-42
Life is filled with Preparation & Celebration
Palm Sunday is a special day.
Preparation for Palm Sunday
Told Disciples to ask for the Donkeys
Preparation for Passover
Chose the Lamb
Preparation for the Cross
Garden of Gethsemane
Preparation for His Mother’s future
Behold your son about John.
Behold your mother to John.
Preparation for Forgiveness
Done by Jesus on the cross.
“Substitutionary Atonement”
Preparation for Burial
Mary anointing Jesus
Joseph of Arimathea’s Grave
The Women with the spices
Preparation for Guarding the Tomb
Pontius Pilate
Preparation for the Victory of Resurrection
Descent into hell
Preparation for Heaven
“I go and prepare a place for you…”
John 14
The First Recorded Words of Jesus in John’s Gospel
“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” [What are you doing?] 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
- John 1:35-39
Picture Jesus asking YOU,
“What do you want?”
Prepare the best that you can, but don’t be so consumed with the preparations that you miss the Celebrations.
Life is filled with Preparation & Celebration
(Don’t miss the Celebrations because of its Tragedies)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
-John 16:33
Chronologic Preparation & Celebration
1. Before you were born
(Prep for the celebration of Hospital delivery)
2. Preschool
(Prep for the celebration of K)
3. Morning preparation for the day
(Pack a lunch, etc)
4. During School/Work preparation for the celebration of quitting time.
5. End of Week Prep for the celebration the Weekend.
6. Monthly Prep for Holiday Celebration
JAN. – New Year’s Eve/Day,
FEB. – Valentine’s Day,
MAR. – St. Patrick’s Day,
APRIL – Easter (April Fool’s Day),
MAY – Mother’s Day, Memorial Day,
JUNE – Father’s Day, End of School/Graduations, Weddings
JULY – 4th of July
AUGUST – 8th National Pickleball Day, Last month of summer, Dog Days of Summer, 2nd most popular month for weddings in USA.
SEPT. – Labor Day,
OCT. – Halloween 31st,
NOV. – Veteran’s Day & Thanksgiving Day.
DEC. – Christmas
7. Annual Prep for Vacation Celebrations
8. Life-long prep for Retirement Celebrations.
9. Spiritual Preparations for Heaven.
In all these areas, throughout all of your life, Prepare & Celebrate with Jesus in mind.
“What do you want?”
“What does He want?”
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to SERVE, and to GIVE his life as a ransom for many."
- Mark 10:45
BUT some will always be SELF-SERVING & SELF-RELIANT
Let Him be Jesus to you.
You did not miss a free donkey ride.