Palm Sunday, The Sixth
Sunday in Lent, 2013
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
The Hymn #160 All Glory, Laud 4:49
The Confession
of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The
Gospel
Glory be to
Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 162 Ride
On 4:80
Lazarus – The Last Raising
The Communion
Hymn # 42 O Thou Love 4:93
The Preface p.
24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 229 Holy
Spirit 4:70
KJV Philippians 2:5 Let this
mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of
God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
KJV Matthew 21:1 And when
they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of
Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village
over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with
her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say
ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he
will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King
cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the
ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down
branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the
multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the
Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna
in the highest.
Palm Sunday
Almighty and everlasting
God, who hast caused Thy beloved Son to take our nature upon Himself, that He
might give all mankind the example of humility and suffer death upon the cross
for our sins: Mercifully grant us a believing knowledge of this, and that,
following the example of His patience, we may be made partakers of the benefits
of His sacred passion and death, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus
Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one
true God, world without end. Amen.
Lazarus – The Last Raising in Jesus’ Public Ministry
KJV John 12:9 Much people of
the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake
only, but that they might see Lazarus
also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that
they might put Lazarus also to death; 11
Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on
Jesus. 12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they
heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and
went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of
Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus, when he had found a
young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion:
behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 16 These things understood
not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered
they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these
things unto him. 17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the
dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they
heard that he had done this miracle. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among
themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after
him.
The Entry into Jerusalem is
also called Palm Sunday for the palm branches placed in the street to honor the
arrival of Christ. (John is the only evangelist to call them palm branches.)
They also threw their clothes down as well, to make a carpet for the Messiah.
Something similar happened
when the Maccabean Revolt was successful, because they thought of that
conqueror as the Messiah, too. And there were several revolts after Jesus – but
only one true Messiah.
Based on John’s Gospel, we
view Jesus’ public ministry as taking place over three years. He was in Jerusalem
a number of times. He performed many miracles. What made this entrance so
spectacular that the religious authorities plotted against Him and the Roman
government sought to arrest Him?
I highlighted the name of
Lazarus in this narrative because these extra details tell us why Jesus was met
by crowds coming out of the city and followed by a crowd from Bethany.
Lazarus was a prominent man,
wealthy and influential. His funeral lasted for days before Jesus arrived. That
delay was deliberate so there would be no “swoon” theories later, about Lazarus
not really being dead but in a coma.
We know Lazarus was wealthy
because of his burial in an expensive cave-tomb, a foreshadowing of Jesus’ own
tomb. When a wealthy and prominent man is buried, everyone comes to the
funeral. That is still true today. When Jack Preus, former LCMS president,
died, large numbers from all over attended the funeral. (Chris attended with
some church members.)
So we can assume that many
came from Jerusalem for the funeral when news traveled all over that Lazarus
was dead. Since trade and news travels constantly, people received their
updates about the funeral. Who was there? What about his friend Jesus? After
all, Jesus received the news that His friend Lazarus was deathly ill – and He
was blamed at first for not arriving on time to heal His friend. And He was
blamed in the crowd too, for healing so many and neglecting His own friend.
KJV John 11:1 Now a certain man
was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister
Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and
wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold,
he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus heard that, he said,
This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God
might be glorified thereby. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and
Lazarus. 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days
still in the same place where he was. 7 Then after that saith he to his disciples,
Let us go into Judaea again. 8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the
Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9 Jesus
answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he
stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk
in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 11 These things
said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend
Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said his
disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his
death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may
believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 16 Then said Thomas, which is called
Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. 17
Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days
already. 18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 19
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their
brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and
met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not
died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God
will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise
again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the
resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection,
and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou
this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the
Son of God, which should come into the world. 28 And when she had so said, she went
her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and
calleth for thee. 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and
came unto him. 30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that
place where Martha met him. 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house,
and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out,
followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. 32 Then when Mary
was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto
him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 When Jesus
therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he
groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him?
They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews,
Behold how he loved him! 37 And some of them said,
Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even
this man should not have died? 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in
himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus
said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith
unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four
days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest
believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from
the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and
said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou
hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it,
that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And
when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Therefore, the raising of
Lazarus by the Word of God was dramatic and unique - witnessed by a large crowd. Jerusalem knew that famous Lazarus
was raised from the dead by Jesus, who was well known for His miracles already.
After hearing for some time about the deathly illness and passing away of
Lazarus, they heard about the funeral, then the raising of Lazarus.
This was the miracle that
precipitated the final events in Jerusalem. Opposition had built ever since He
drove the money-changers from the Temple.
KJV John 12:9 Much people
of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake
only, but that they might see Lazarus also,
whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they
might put Lazarus also to death;
The disciple closest to
Jesus was in a position to observe and record many details that supplement
Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This is the answer, if anyone asks, “Why was this trip
to Jerusalem so special?”
And we can also see the
wisdom and providence (seeing ahead, literally) of God in unfolding all the
events according to the prophets. The people wanted to make Jesus the
Messiah-King after He fed them, so Jesus escaped their grasp. Also, the
opposition wanted to grab and kill Him early, but He also evaded them.
11 Because that by reason
of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. 12 On the next day
much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming
to Jerusalem,
Therefore, the raising of
Lazarus, which clearly revealed Jesus as the Son of God, caused large numbers
to believe in Him. People wanted to see Jesus and
Lazarus. That antagonized the Jewish leaders and likewise alarmed the
Roman authorities.
Messiah means King, and that
was a reminder of the successful Maccabean Revolt. Only a few decades after
Christ, another revolt was successful for a short time, so Messiah and revolt
went together for the Roman Empire.
13 Took branches of palm
trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the
King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
What we hear as praise for
God was seen by others as a riot against the established order of the time.
Nevertheless, it was important for Jesus to show Himself as the Messiah and
Savior, to fulfill all prophecies and obey the will of God the Father.
14 And Jesus, when he had
found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of
Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
Lenski:
Here is the picture of the King on
his royal entry. Since we know from the other records how Jesus “found an ass;”
John is very brief and mentions only the fact, although in v. 17 he indicates
the aid of others in securing the ass: “they had done these things unto him.”
Only the essentials are given, first, of the fulfillment; secondly, of the
prophecy. The extensive perfect, “as it has been written,” includes the
present: is still on record.
15) John quotes Zech. 9:9. In the
call, “Fear not!” he reproduces only the sense of the original, “Rejoice
greatly!” For when fear goes out, joy comes in, i.e., over against God. One may
quote the ipsissima verba, but an entirely legitimate form of citation
is to restate the sense in equivalent terms, especially such parts of a
quotation as are not to be stressed. Here the call to rejoice is entirely
minor; the point of the quotation is the statement about the King’s coming,
riding upon the foal of an ass. This remarkable feature is the one stressed by
Zechariah. “Daughter of Zion,” to which the prophet adds, “daughter of
Jerusalem,” is one of the honor names of Israel. “Zion” seems to have been the
name of the locality where Jerusalem came to be built and was then used as a
designation for the highest eminence in the city. The Temple, however, was not
on this high point but on Moriah, which lies lower. Thus “the daughter of Zion”
names the people according to the most prominent eminence which distinguishes
its capital. By a legitimate transfer this poetic title is now applied to the
New Testament Israel, the Christian Church.
Lenski, R. C. H.: The
Interpretation of St. John's Gospel. Minneapolis, MN : Augsburg Publishing
House, 1961, S. 853.
Jesus established His core
teaching and believers among Jews and Gentiles before His death and
resurrection. He also spent three years in tutoring the future apostles about
the meaning of His teaching and mission.
Looking back upon this, we
can see how God worked to bring this about, so we should also trust that the
same wisdom and providence works today.
16 These things
understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then
remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had
done these things unto him.
We are very much like the
disciples, often not understanding at the moment but remembering and believing
later.
17 The people therefore
that was with him when he called Lazarus out of
his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the
people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. 19 The
Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
This shows us how much the
raising of Lazarus was connected with Palm Sunday and Holy Week. This is
essential to know, because the One who could conquer death by the Word would
reveal Himself as the Resurrection and the Life, as He taught Mary and Martha.
And the opposition to the
Gospel is just as clear. While nothing was done to upset the material realm,
the Gospel was seen as a revolt and a horrible thing to be quashed by religious
and political means. Thus it will always be.
