THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF JESUS

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It's at this point that Jesus finally makes His way into Jerusalem. This is what He has been looking forward to all along.

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord needs it.'"

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They replied, "The Lord needs it." They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come on you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

This entrance into Jerusalem is a highly referenced event throughout the Old Testament. Finally, Jesus' time has come. And this time demands special preparation. According to Daniel this is the official presentation of Jesus as the Messiah. It's the official offering of the Messiah to the Jewish people. I think this prophecy of Daniel was understood by many and therefore they were prepared for this grand entrance.

In Zechariah 9:9-10 riding into Jerusalem on a donkey is specifically mentioned. It says: Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey.

The people were spreading clothing and palm branches before Him to carpet the pathway into Jerusalem to honor Him. It is a day of excitement and jubilation as the King's procession reaches the road's highest point as it crosses the ridge of the Mount of Olives. At this time of year, pilgrims clogging the roads rejoice as they come. And the pilgrims already in Jerusalem hear that Jesus is about to enter the city, and they come out to meet Him. The city is abuzz with the news of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, and the pilgrims are eager to see this miracle worker they've heard so much about.

As this increasingly large band of "disciples" crosses the ridge and begins its descent into the Kidron Valley the people sing praise from Psalm 118:25, though only one line is quoted in Luke. Read the full passage to see how much refers to the coming of the Messiah: "Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save us; [literally, "Hosanna!"] O Lord, grant us success.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 118:19-29)

Here are all of these Messianic phrases being repeated regarding Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem: Hosanna to the Son of David! (Matthew 21:9) Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!' (Luke 19:38) Blessed is the King of Israel!" (John 12:13)

The Pharisees were offended by this outpouring of praise for Jesus in Messianic terms and they asked that Jesus calm them down. But Jesus said, "If the people keep quiet, then the stones will cry out."

What I like most about this scene is how it all comes together. Jesus needs a donkey and there was someone already awaiting the order to provide the donkey. This is what strikes me about the genius of the Kingdom. God has His people planted all over the world to call into service whenever the time is right.

This is why it so vital for us to keep following the 3 habits: 1. Walking with Jesus. 2. Walking with others. 3. Waiting for Jesus to lead out with orders and opportunities.

There are all kinds of important events that require the timing of the Lord and the readiness of many seemingly insignificant people to follow the Master's calling.

We are in a spiritual revolution today and I am excited to say to you, THE REVOLUTION IS STILL ON! Jesus is still making an unlimited amount of triumphal entries into the lives of people today. He's just looking to use someone's donkey to carry Him in. And if that doesn't work, then the rocks will cry out.

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

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As Jesus was finishing up with Zachaeus He moves right into telling them a parable of the ten talents.

While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten talents. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.'

The plan is set in motion. The master made an investment in his servants desiring for each of them to make that investment grow.

"But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

NOTE the similarities between the story of the man who was seeking to be king and Jesus' own situation. He, too, was hated by the leaders and seeking to be king. I can't help but think that Jesus has an underlying meaning about Himself in this parable.

Three of his servants' experiences with their investment are shared here: The first one came and said, 'Sir, your talents have earned ten more.' 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'

The second came and said, 'Sir, your talents have earned five more.' His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.'

Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your talent; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'

Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his talent away from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.' 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them-bring them here and kill them in front of me.'"

Whatever else is going on in this familiar parable, here are some bottom-line principles that must be taken away from this parable. Remember, we are looking for what this teaches about the Kingdom and nothing more.

FIRST-In the Kingdom the King gives out talents to everyone. Most likely this is more than money and wealth, but also personal giftedness.

SECOND-The King expects each person to put these talents to work. Our talents-money and giftedness-are to be used wisely to grow or increase what they have been given.

THIRD-The King is looking for each of his servants to take the risk of expending what he has been given and not holding on to it.

FOURTH-If the talents aren't used, then the person will suffer loss, because even what he has will be given away.

Maybe the most important lesson from this parable is that the King expects each of us servants to obey him. This all seems to be right in line with what the Kingdom is all about. It has nothing to do with accumulating more and more. It does have to do with following orders and doing exactly what the King says.

You see, all we have and all we are is totally from the King. Therefore whatever the King asks of us to do or say must be followed. As long as we are being obedient in the lifestyle of the Kingdom-using what we've been given for the King and the Kingdom-then all is well and we live in the joy of our Master, the King. However, when we are disobedient in the lifestyle of the Kingdom-not proactively using what we have been given, then all we have is loss.

I like to think of it like this: 1. Use it-all that you have been given. 2. Use it for the Kingdom. 3. Use it for the Kingdom all the time. 4. Use it for the Kingdom all the time or you'll surely lose it.

THE STORY OF ZACCHAEUS

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As we come to the 19th chapter of Luke we are treated to the delightful story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Let's check it out:

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner."

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Wow! This is a fascinating story of a heart transformation. Here the chief tax collector is apprehended by Jesus while perched up in a sycamore tree. The scene is so visual. Zacchaeus is up in a tree so he can get a glimpse of Jesus. Everyone is talking about it. And, while waiting up there in the tree, Jesus looked up and invited Himself to lunch-at Zach's house. Talk about a shocker-for both Zacchaeus and the people watching!

I love what happens here. This is a divine appointment of the highest kind. Probably it was at the gathering at Zach's house, Zacchaeus stood up and made a most interesting pronouncement. He declared that he will give half of all his possessions to the poor and he will pay back four times the amount to those he has cheated. This is so typical. Simply by a personal encounter with Jesus, Zach is a transformed man and wants to pay back all he owes them, give half of what he makes to the poor and give four times the amount to those he has already cheated.

What happened? I think it's quite simple. Any time a person enters into an encounter with Jesus, he is changed. Zach Is coming alongside Jesus and is thoroughly changed by doing this.

Then Jesus expresses what many believe is the key verse of the book of Luke. He says, "For the son of man has come to seek and to save those who are lost." Jesus' relentless search for you and me is absolutely amazing. Jesus will go to extreme measures to interrupt what you're doing in order to bring you back to Himself.

I think what strikes me the deepest is the immediacy of Zach's heart to repay those he has cheated. It's as if when Jesus entered the picture, Zach's other gods or focal points of his life meant nothing. The same is true today. When you see Jesus for what and who he is, nothing else matters. Paul speaks of this in the letter to the followers of Jesus in the book of Colossians. I love this passage where Paul says, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him."

Now I ask you, if you are having lunch with the one who embodies all the fullness of God, wouldn't your life be changed, too? I think everyone ought to meet Jesus for lunch, because that luncheon will transform your entire life. Maybe that ought to be our daily prayer. Lord, "I want to have lunch with Jesus today." Then after that lunch, you will never recover. Why? Because once you have been apprehended in your heart by Jesus, nothing else matters.

BLIND BEGGAR REGAINS HIS SIGHT

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As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Contrast this blind beggar outside of Jericho with the rich, young ruler-from the "seemingly" most desirable disciple to "seemingly" the most undesirable. Certainly the rich businessman seems to be the one who had more potential of advancing the kingdom. However, this is not kingdom thinking, but worldly. Remember, always check your thinking and you will see that many times what Jesus would do will be the opposite.

In Mark's gospel this beggar is identified as Bartimaeus. This poor man has developed a lifestyle of begging for a living along the road in and out of Jericho.

Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied.

NOTE blind Bart called Jesus "Son of David" which is a messianic title-the promised descendant of King David. It's interesting to note that since it was mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus, this is the first time He has been called Son of David. And, in a few days He will be greeted and welcomed as the Son of David as He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. This is the reason why Bartimaeus wasn't asking Jesus for money as he did to all of the others who passed by. He was asking for more than that-to see again! Jesus seems to make a point of this by asking him what he wanted Jesus to do for him. And blind Bart's answer was, "I want to see."

Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

Jesus' response to Bart's request to see was specifically answered and attributed to his faith. He had a faith that didn't fly in the wind nor did it take no for an answer.

This blind beggar on the side of the road with a persistent and stubborn faith serves as an example for us all. What I like best is how quickly the formerly blind Bart began his journey of following Jesus. That's the ultimate proof of the genuineness of his faith. Remember Jesus said, "He who hears my word and practices it is like a man who builds his house on a rock. He who hears my word and doesn't practice it is like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand without a firm foundation."

ONE MORE THING. Jesus was drawn to this man because of his brokenness. His brokenness or blindness is the connector to Jesus. This blindness didn't keep Bart from pursuing the ultimate answer to his problems. And, He knew that this man would be useful to Him on His journey to Jerusalem, so he allowed him to follow alongside Him.

In so many cases, the gateway to Jesus is through our brokenness. Jesus came as a great physician, looking for sick people. He was not making a list of those who were well without any needs. He continually gravitated toward the broken, the bruised, the addicted and the poor. The only thing I have to share with Jesus that will get His attention right away is my brokenness. This is why I am always yelling out to Jesus like the blind man, "Hey Jesus, over here! "

It's like the young man who said: "Jesus, I have a problem. It's me." And Jesus quickly replies, "My son, I have the answer. It's Me."

THE REWARD OF FOLLOWING JESUS

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Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!"

The rich, young ruler has heard Jesus' direction to him: "Sell everything you have and give to the poor. Then come, follow me." The man walked away sad and, no doubt, Jesus was also saddened by this encounter when He said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

This statement may have caused more confusion than you might think. Remember Job? As long as he was rich, he was viewed as a blessed man of God. And, when his riches were taken away, the assumption was that he had sinned. This rich, young ruler was probably viewed by many as a very spiritual man-blessed by God. So, if this man who was keeping the law and seemed to be blessed by God with his wealth wasn't going to make it into salvation, then, "Who is going to be saved?"

The rich trust in their wealth to open doors of heaven for them. But the net value of their wealth in heaven is zip. Jesus makes it clear that only if they become as little children will they enter the kingdom.

It's in this context that Peter says, "We have left all we had to follow you." It was a statement begging some sort of response. Matthew's gospel adds the words, "What then will there be for us?"

Jesus answers Peter's question simply: "Truly I tell you," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life."

The point here seems to be that your reward for being faithful and giving your all will be highly abundant. Matthew and Mark's account give specifics of reaping 100 times-super abundant results.

To me Jesus is saying simply this: YOU CAN'T OUTGIVE GOD. Whatever you think you have given up for Jesus and the Kingdom will be abundantly supplied back to you. This abundant reward is both near and far-temporal and eternal.

This reminds me of the kingdom parable where the man found a treasure in a field, hid it and then went back and sold all he had in order to buy the land. Or, the parable about diligently searching for a fine pearl. And, when he finds it, goes and sells all that he has to purchase that pearl. One comes into the kingdom by surprise and the other by careful searching. But both of them see the kingdom for its invaluable quality and go for it with their whole hearts.

We can all become a little discouraged from time to time. But know for certain that whatever you have given up for Jesus and the kingdom will be abundantly rewarded. You can count on it. So, with a reckless abandon give it all up for Him. You'll never regret it!