THE SIXTH PURPOSE: TO PROCLAIM THE LORD

Luke 19:28-40

Dr. Wm. J. Maxwell

First Presbyterian Church, Newport, RI

 

 

Through the eyes of a child, Palm Sunday is a wonderful event, wouldn’t you say? There is a pageantry, a sense of vivid display and grandeur about it. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, garments and branches were spread before Him, with shouts of praise and adoration coming from hundreds if not thousands of people.

 

Stretching from my childhood to this very day, this very morning, I still get excited at seeing palm branches waving in the air, and hearing glad shouts of “Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest!” The fact is, however, beyond all the pomp and pageantry that I experienced personally long ago as a child, I never really understood all the implications of this special day. But I wasn’t alone. In many ways, neither did the people of Jerusalem on that very first Palm Sunday.

 

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT DAY.

 

When we look at the Gospel accounts, we can marvel at Jesus’ intentions. Like a master architect of an impressive building, or a composer of a musical masterpiece, there was clear design and intent behind the circumstances of this event.

 

Luke tells us that Jesus deliberately told His disciples to go and get a colt that had never been used before. He told them where to get it and what to say, should the owner resist it being taken.

 

An unused animal like this would seem to have the meaning of being used for a special and sacred purpose, but there was so much more to this orchestration than simply this. The meaning behind the use of this animal began with a prophecy given six centuries before Jesus ever set foot on this earth.

 

The prophecy was given by the prophet Zechariah, who lived during the hard years of the returning exiles from Babylon. Amongst his many encouraging prophecies regarding Jerusalem’s welfare and future, he prophesied:

 

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

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. [i]

 

Here was a prophecy that was fully understood to be regarding the Messiah or Christ, who would one day ride in victory into Jerusalem as the supreme, royal descendent of David. So what we see, in Jesus’ deliberate choice of entering into Jerusalem this way, was a bold demonstration and stark statement that He was and is the Messiah.

 

THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE

 

With such deliberate intention, you would think quite naturally that the people of Jerusalem would surely “get it.” And in some ways, they did see in Jesus the long-anticipated Christ. They spread their cloaks along the road forming a triumphal carpet, as in the day when Jehu was proclaimed King of Israel. [ii] They also quoted Psalm 118, with a special reference to a “King: inserted: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

 

But this is when you start to see some cracks in their understanding. These multitudes saw in Jesus the Messiah, all right, but what kind of Messiah … what kind of King? One who would bring a restoration of the Kingdom of Israel, destroying once and for all the ranks and yoke of Rome, and establishing Israel as a great and independent nation.

 

 

THE PHARISEES’ RESPONSE

 

Now, in seeing this display, and sensing the people’s perspective, the Pharisees were clearly alarmed and rightly so. After such a dramatic and vivid display of adoration, the Pharisees turned to Jesus and said: “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” In other words, “Tell them to be quiet … silence them!”

 

One commentator is helpful as he makes very clear for us the intentions of the Pharisees:

 

 It is not difficult to understand why the Pharisees, most of whom were enemies of Jesus, were disgruntled. Not that they loved the Romans or had ceased to yearn for independence from Rome. But they disapproved of any abortive attempt to cast off the yoke, realizing what such an unsuccessful move would mean for the nation as a whole and for the security of their own position. Besides, they hated Jesus and resented this outpouring of praise in which he shared honors with God. But for the moment Jesus was so popular that the Pharisees did not dare to silence the people directly. So they asked Jesus to do it for them!  [iii]

 

 

THE RESPONSE OF JESUS.

 

As we look at what happened next, we find that Jesus disagreed immensely with the Pharisees. He answered back, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out!”

 

Although the crowds did not understand the need for being set free from yet a greater dictator than Rome could ever be – sin - yet the praise and proclamation of Jesus as the King and Messiah was entirely appropriate. Such acclamations of praise should never be suppressed or silenced. The event of Jesus’ arrival was of such importance that it ought to be celebrated in some way and that it would be celebrated.

 

Relying on an old proverbial saying, if the people wouldn’t bring forth praise, even inanimate stones would figuratively bring forth praise for the One so supremely worthy as Jesus was and is.

                                                                                       

 

OUR OWN RESPONSE

 

As we look at the different responses to Jesus’ dramatic entry into Jerusalem – that of the multitudes of people, the Pharisees and of Jesus Himself - it is not unreasonable to ask, “What then shall be my response?”

 

Let’s look again at what the people said and did, proclaiming to one another and to all who would listen: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” That is precisely what we are to do and can do today. We can proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to one another and to all who will listen: “Here is the One most wonderful, most blessed, praised and adored; the One who has come to fulfill all righteousness, to be the means by which peace in heaven is accomplished and all glory goes to God.”

                                                                                           

Although Almighty God could certainly cause stones to cry and shout out such a proclamation, God has chosen us – you and me - instead, to proclaim to all that Jesus Christ is the Hope of the world, as only God incarnate could be.

 

 

WE NEED, THEN, TO PROCLAIM THE LORD TO ONE ANOTHER.

 

The Apostle Paul did this in so many ways and in so many places. But even so, he did not mind repeating the Good News to people again. For example, Paul repeated the Good News to those in Corinth whom he knew quite well.

 

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you – unless you believed in vain.

 

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures …[iv]

 

Now, of course, not one of us here this morning is an apostle, but nevertheless we can all share the hope we have with one another in significant and meaningful ways.

                                                                                         

In the great novel, The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoyevsky shows the importance of this in the character Alexei Karamazov. Alexei has come to the point that the world is far too much a harsh and dark place to live, and so he retreats to a monastery for refuge. He is seeking light and truth and beauty and could find none of this in “the world.”

 

While there, Alexei’s best friend and mentor dies, the one who wanted so much that Alexei learn to live in the world. On the very night his old and cherished friend dies, Alexei has a powerful and vivid dream. Alexei finds himself at the wedding at Cana and discovers his friend drinking wine with Jesus.

 

Alexei is terrified at being in the presence of Jesus, but then his friend tells him this:

 

Don’t be frightened of (Jesus). Though He is frightening in His greatness, terrifying in His majesty, He is also infinitely merciful, and out of love has made Himself like one of us … and shares our joy, and turns our water into wine, so that the joy of the guests shall not cease, and He invites more and more guests, unceasingly, more new guests forever and ever.[v]

                                                                                         

Through this dream, and the beautiful counsel and message, Alexei walks out of the monastery a different man. He walks out the door, hugs the ground, and sheds tears of joy and love. He is now ready to embrace a harsh world in the strength of God’s powerful love and loving power in Jesus Christ.

 

Like Alexei’s friend in life and in that unfolding dream, we can also say to our friends and loved ones: “Don’t be frightened of Him. Though He is frightening in His greatness, terrifying in His majesty, He is also infinitely merciful, out of love has made Himself like one of us …” We have Good News to proclaim to one another!

 

BUT LET’S NOT STOP HERE;

LET’S ALSO PROCLAIM THE LORD TO THE WORLD.

We need hardly be reminded that we have a Great Commission to fulfill: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19,20)

 

Whereas we have a mission field right here in New England (and we surely do), and whereas we have a mission field right here on this island (and we surely do), we are not faithful unless we also look to all the world.

                                                                                                

William Carey, who lived in the latter 1700’s and early 1800’s, had this understanding and perspective, but it also appears that he was quite alone at the time.

 

Carey was a shoemaker, but he also became a self-taught Baptist pastor. In time, he became intrigued with travel and geography, finding his interest in the world enlarged. He then found within himself increasing concern for the unreached peoples of the world.

 

In a Baptist assembly of pastors, Carey raised the issue of the Great Commission and its current application. But all he got was ridicule and derision. The pastors all believed that this had been the obligation and responsibility of the apostles alone, and that was that. “Sit down young man,” an older minister scolded him. “If the Lord wants to convert the heathen, He can do it without your help.”

           

But William Carey knew better. He wrote articles and preached on the subject. In one famous sermon based on Isaiah 54:2, he urged people to “expect great things from God and attempt great things for God.” And William Carey did precisely that, going over to India himself as a missionary, and doing such “great things” that he is known today as the “Father of Modern Missions.”

 

Although we cannot all go to India, is it not nevertheless true, that by God’s grace and direction, we can “expect great things from God, and attempt great things for God,” as we seek to proclaim the Lord to all the world? Indeed it is!

 

***

 

On this Palm Sunday, we hear the praise and the proclamation of the people: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

 

Dear friends, we have that same message to proclaim today, for even if we were silent in proclaiming this message to one another and to the world, “the very stones would cry out!”