This was Palm Sunday and Graham preached on John 12 The Triumphant Entry.
Palm Sunday
John 12:12ff
Also in Matt 21, Mark 11, Luke19
Introduction
This event appears in all gospels. All the gospel writers thought it that inportant.
John writes this from memory. He is writing of the highlights he chooses to present for a purpose. We know his great purpose for his gospel was outlined in chapter 20.
John 20:29-30
Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
1) Why call it the Triumphal Entry?
Down the centuries this event has been understood by believers as a Triumph. But this time before the battle has taken plane and before the final victory won..
2) At first they did not understand.
See verse 16. What had they done? What did they not understand?
(a) After the resurrection they realised that they had fulfilled prophecy.
(b) After the resurrection they understood what they had done. They had done something instinctive. The action of the crowds was spontaneous (see verse 12). They had not decided beforehand that they would carry out a prophetic act. What else is instinctive? Fruit of the Spirit, walking in the Spirit.
3) Why did the crowds react the way they did?
Note that the crowd were also acting while still under the influence of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Witnessing great acts of God can effect us. Signs/miracles point the way.
What signs have you seen in your own life recently? In what way do they encourage you to invite Jesus to ride into you life afresh as conqueror and Lord?
