Sunday, 3/16/2025

EASTER: THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION

PART 1 "The Road to Jerusalem"

The King’s Arrival: A Prophecy Fulfilled

Matthew 21:1–5 “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 

Zechariah 9:9: 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.  

The crowd expected a warrior to storm Rome’s gates; instead, they got a servant washing feet, a King destined for a crown of thorns.

The Crowd’s Cry: A Misplaced Hope 

Matthew 21:6-9 “The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The 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!’”

“Hosanna! means “Save us!”—a plea and a praise rolled into one. 

They’re cheering for a king to wield a sword, not bear a cross. 

Their “Hosanna” is real, but it’s tethered to the wrong dream.

The City’s Question: An Identity Sought 

Matthew 21:10-11 “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ 11The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’” 

The Greek word for “stirred” here means shaken, unsettled—like an earthquake rumbling beneath their feet. 

The road to Jerusalem doesn’t end in a coronation but a crucifixion.

Our Offering on the Road: An Invitation to Surrender

John 12:13 “They took palm branches and went out to meet him.” 

First, praise. 

Second, burdens. 

Third, misplaced hopes.