Message of the Week

The Little White Community Church

Scripture:  John 12:12-19 April 13, 2025

Message: “Palm Sunday – Before, During, and After!”

by Pastor George Gnade

Introduction:

1. Many times when we look back on our lives, we can see how everything worked together for good. 

a. The world would call these coincidences. A Christian would call the arranging of these events the providence of God. 

b. If that is true in our lives, how much more should we expect to see this in the life of Christ. 

2. Today is called Palm Sunday because, as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, the people cast Palm branches ahead of Him and cried out: “Blessed is the king of Israel.”

a. Our Bibles call this Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. That is because this was the first time in Jesus’ ministry He allowed the people to call Him their king.

b. Now if a king was coming to declare war, he would ride on a stallion. But if a king came riding on the back of a donkey, it meant he came in peace.

3. Jesus wanted everyone to know He was not coming to fight the Romans. He was not declaring the beginning of a war. He was coming to offer peace to all who would receive Him. Today I would like us to consider how all the events surrounding the triumphal entry fit together like a puzzle with many pieces. 

A. Let us begin with events that preceded the triumphal entry.

1. In John 8-10, the leaders of the Jews wanted the crowds to stone Jesus for blaspheming because He said things that implied He was equal with God. On several occasions they tried but did not succeed.

a. But when His good friend Lazarus was dying, Jesus waited until He knew Lazarus had died before telling His disciples they were going to Bethany to see Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters. 

b. The disciples were afraid to go back. They knew how dangerous this was. But of course, they followed Him anyway.

c. At the grave side, Jesus told Mary and Martha that He was “the resurrection and the life.” Then He raised Lazarus from the dead. Word of this spread rapidly caus-ing many to come to see Jesus and Lazarus (John 12:9). 

2. Soon after that, in John 12:1-8, a dinner was put on in Bethany in honor of Jesus. Martha helped serve the meal; Lazarus was there as one of the guests of honor. But Mary had even more serious intentions.

a. Mary took a pint of pure nard, a very expensive perfume, and poured it on Jesus’ feet. Then she washed His feet with her hair.  It was worth a year’s wages.  

b. This demonstrated a deep loyalty and faith in Jesus. Judas disapproved because she could have given it to help the poor. Then he could have stolen a lot of it for himself.

c. But Jesus took this occasion to make a powerful statement. He said it was meant to prepare His body for a proper burial! “The poor will always be with you, but you will not always have me with you” (John 12:8).

4. Were all these things just a coincidence? Clearly Jesus knew they were all part of God’s plan for His life.

B. In light of all this, consider the triumphal entry. 

1. The Passover feast brought Jews from all over the world to 0ffer sacrifices. It was only five days away when this occurred. 

a. So two different crowds met at the Mt. of Olives. Many coming to the Passover met the crowds coming with Jesus from Bethany. But Lazarus’ resurrection was the crowning reason (John 12:9-11, 17-19).

b. He had been dead four days. His body was beginning to stink. Yet Jesus restored him to perfect health. Everyone came to celebrate. 

2. They all cried: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the king of Israel” (Vs. 13). 

a. It all happened so naturally that the disciples had no idea what was going on until later (John 12:16). But Jesus knew He was fulfilling Scripture (Zach. 9:9). 

b. Jesus told two of His disciples to go and bring a colt to Him. No one had ever ridden on it before. But the colt obeyed the One who created him. 

c. People are always looking for excitement. They found it in Jesus. So the parade was on.

3. But the reaction of the Pharisees was predictable. In John 12:19, they said to one another: “See, this is getting us nowhere! Look how the whole world is going after Him.”

a. What was happening to Jesus often happens to us.

As soon as God blesses us, Satan attacks us. 

b. Spiritually we must prepare ourselves for the attack. The war between good and evil will not stop till Jesus comes again. 

C. Thirdly, consider what happened after the event.

1. Positively, some Greeks (Gentiles) were among those who worshipped at the feast. They asked if they could see Jesus (John 12:20). This was John’s way of telling us that Jesus came to help them too. 

a. But following Jesus is not easy. In vs. 25-26, Jesus said: “The man who loves his life will lose it; but the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me.”

b. How many in the crowd continued to follow Jesus is hard to say. Five days later another crowd cried out: “Crucify Him.” 

2. Jesus knew what was coming. In John 12:32, He said: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” 

3. The next day, Jesus went to the temple where He cleansed it and then did miracles for all to see. The children loved it and shouted His praises even louder. 

a. But many of the adults lost their courage.

b. Why? Because the Pharisees told Jesus to stop the crowd from honoring Him.  Didn’t He know what they were saying? Jesus said even the stones would cry out if the children stopped. 

4. So the stage was set for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

In conclusion:

1. Jesus’ visit to the temple was no more of a coincidence than His triumphal entry.

a. In Mal. 3:1, it says: “See, I will send my messenger (John the Baptist) to prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking (the promised Messiah) will come to His temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come.”

b. Jesus had come to the temple many times before. But on Palm Sunday, He came as their king. In John 1:11-12, it says: “He came to His own and His own received Him not. But to as many as received Him, He gave the power to become the children of God, even to those who believed in His name.”

2. May each of us have the courage to receive and follow Him. It often will not be easy, but it is worth it. Amen!