1 00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:05,120 Speaker 1: But let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let 2 00:00:05,140 --> 00:00:09,819 Speaker 1: them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Psalm 3 00:00:09,820 --> 00:00:16,970 Speaker 1: 511 Dear Lord, you are my source of my strength, comfort, 4 00:00:17,230 --> 00:00:22,209 Speaker 1: and joy. When I think about your life, death, and resurrection, 5 00:00:23,510 --> 00:00:27,310 Speaker 1: I'm filled with hope, for you proved yourself as my deliverer. 6 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:31,590 Speaker 1: Because of your goodness, I cannot help but shout for joy. 7 00:00:32,729 --> 00:00:35,650 Speaker 1: Because of your faithfulness, I will raise my hands in 8 00:00:35,729 --> 00:00:40,909 Speaker 1: praise and proclaim your name from the rooftops. My hope 9 00:00:40,950 --> 00:00:44,810 Speaker 1: in you will never end because your love endures forever. 10 00:00:45,570 --> 00:00:50,760 Speaker 1: Empower me today to march forward with lighthearted joy, even 11 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:57,870 Speaker 1: when life gets heavy. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you 12 00:00:57,910 --> 00:01:01,610 Speaker 1: for praying with me today. This is the Jesus Podcast, 13 00:01:02,110 --> 00:01:04,970 Speaker 1: where we bring the gospel to life like you've never 14 00:01:05,030 --> 00:01:08,550 Speaker 1: heard it before. Stay with us to delve into the 15 00:01:08,590 --> 00:01:14,970 Speaker 1: captivating journey of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Follow this 16 00:01:15,030 --> 00:01:19,310 Speaker 1: podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. Doing so will 17 00:01:19,350 --> 00:01:22,830 Speaker 1: keep you updated, but also help us get discovered by 18 00:01:22,890 --> 00:01:26,550 Speaker 1: more people. We want the story of Jesus to be 19 00:01:26,630 --> 00:01:33,940 Speaker 1: known throughout the world. Thanks for making that possible. Jesus 20 00:01:33,980 --> 00:01:37,319 Speaker 1: stood atop the Mount of Olives, wind whistling through the 21 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:41,820 Speaker 1: tree covering above him. The cascading light of the new 22 00:01:41,910 --> 00:01:47,410 Speaker 1: morning sun trickled in through the rustling leaves. He turned 23 00:01:47,430 --> 00:01:51,810 Speaker 1: his gaze down to the city of Jerusalem. The sun's 24 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:55,610 Speaker 1: early rays painted its walls a brilliant hue of orange. 25 00:01:57,430 --> 00:02:00,670 Speaker 1: His body leaned forward as if the city was pulling 26 00:02:00,690 --> 00:02:06,350 Speaker 1: him toward it with mesmeric force. His companion sat behind 27 00:02:06,390 --> 00:02:10,800 Speaker 1: him and watched his eyes trace the switchback trails down 28 00:02:10,860 --> 00:02:15,940 Speaker 1: toward the gate. He murmured a few phrases, but they 29 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 1: knew better than to ask him what he was saying. 30 00:02:17,580 --> 00:02:22,329 Speaker 1: The words were not forgettable. A slight shift in the 31 00:02:22,450 --> 00:02:27,290 Speaker 1: air made everyone a bit uneasy. They couldn't quite grasp 32 00:02:27,370 --> 00:02:32,530 Speaker 1: what they were attuned to, but Jesus knew. The veil 33 00:02:32,790 --> 00:02:39,260 Speaker 1: between heaven and earth was eroding. Jesus turned to them 34 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:43,660 Speaker 1: with a familiar grin. But behind his eyes was a 35 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:49,080 Speaker 1: deep well of sadness. If the disciples noticed, they didn't 36 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 1: say it. Instead, they awaited orders. Jesus nodded south and 37 00:02:56,340 --> 00:02:59,919 Speaker 1: gestured to the small farming village of Bethpage, tucked away 38 00:02:59,960 --> 00:03:03,080 Speaker 1: a few miles outside the city. Go into the village, 39 00:03:03,540 --> 00:03:03,860 Speaker 1: he said. 40 00:03:04,380 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 2: There you will find a donkey tied up in front 41 00:03:06,700 --> 00:03:10,700 Speaker 2: of its master's home. With it will be an untamed colt. 42 00:03:11,419 --> 00:03:14,720 Speaker 1: Untie them and bring both of them to me. The 43 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:18,750 Speaker 1: disciples had grown accustomed to strange requests, but theft was... 44 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:20,700 Speaker 1: It was not something they'd been asked to do before. 45 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,660 Speaker 2: What if the owner sees us taking them and protests? 46 00:03:24,139 --> 00:03:28,090 Speaker 1: John asked innocently. Jesus grinned again and sat on a 47 00:03:28,130 --> 00:03:31,190 Speaker 1: stone overlooking the city. He turned his cheek to the 48 00:03:31,230 --> 00:03:35,690 Speaker 1: sun and drew a deep breath. If they protest, tell 49 00:03:35,730 --> 00:03:38,650 Speaker 1: them the Lord has need of them. He trailed off 50 00:03:38,670 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 1: for a moment. His mind seemed elsewhere. His ear was 51 00:03:43,540 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 1: turned toward the sky, as if listening for a faint 52 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: distant sound. 53 00:03:51,260 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 2: What does it mean to be great? Is greatness found 54 00:03:54,860 --> 00:03:58,940 Speaker 2: in titles and accolades? Does greatness come from within, or 55 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:02,750 Speaker 2: do others recognize it? The story of Jesus reveals to 56 00:04:02,890 --> 00:04:06,470 Speaker 2: us the nature of true greatness and nobility. It's not 57 00:04:06,530 --> 00:04:09,890 Speaker 2: in lofty titles or golden crowns, but knowing when to 58 00:04:09,930 --> 00:04:13,270 Speaker 2: lay it all down for the sake of others. Welcome 59 00:04:13,330 --> 00:04:18,589 Speaker 2: to The Jesus Podcast. Stories of transformation, resurrection, and redemption. 60 00:04:19,190 --> 00:04:21,990 Speaker 2: I'm Pastor Zach from Pray.com. I'll be your humble host 61 00:04:22,029 --> 00:04:26,370 Speaker 2: through this yearlong exploration into some of the most iconic stories, teachings, 62 00:04:26,690 --> 00:04:30,330 Speaker 2: and events surrounding the person and ministry of Jesus. You see, 63 00:04:30,350 --> 00:04:33,430 Speaker 2: the greater our understanding of Jesus, the more significant our 64 00:04:33,490 --> 00:04:36,990 Speaker 2: connection with God and the more tangible our purpose becomes. 65 00:04:37,870 --> 00:04:40,070 Speaker 2: Make sure to follow and subscribe to this podcast so 66 00:04:40,110 --> 00:04:43,100 Speaker 2: you can follow along these epic adventures. These are going 67 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:46,680 Speaker 2: to be dramatized stories based on the Gospels, with deep 68 00:04:46,740 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 2: commentary and personal reflection. For the next 19 episodes of 69 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:54,690 Speaker 2: this podcast, we're going to immerse ourselves in the story 70 00:04:54,710 --> 00:04:57,909 Speaker 2: of Passion Week, Good Friday, Easter, and all of the 71 00:04:57,970 --> 00:05:02,130 Speaker 2: events following the Resurrection. Easter is about victory over our past, 72 00:05:02,290 --> 00:05:05,630 Speaker 2: new beginnings, and the promise of eternal life in Christ. So, 73 00:05:06,070 --> 00:05:10,540 Speaker 2: no better way to open up our podcast. The pastel colors, picnics, 74 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,820 Speaker 2: and egg hunts are all fantastic, but I think they 75 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:17,060 Speaker 2: can sometimes detract us from the dramatic events that led 76 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:21,320 Speaker 2: to Easter. Jesus flipped tables in protest of the corrupt priests. 77 00:05:21,860 --> 00:05:26,820 Speaker 2: Judas snuck through alleyways to conspire against him. Guards arrested, beaten, 78 00:05:26,900 --> 00:05:30,450 Speaker 2: mocked him before his march to the cross. The events 79 00:05:30,510 --> 00:05:36,010 Speaker 2: of Easter were loud, disruptive, and earth-shaking, literally sometimes. These 80 00:05:36,070 --> 00:05:38,710 Speaker 2: stories will take us back in time to fully appreciate 81 00:05:38,770 --> 00:05:42,050 Speaker 2: Christ's passion. Let this be a time to remind ourselves 82 00:05:42,130 --> 00:05:44,980 Speaker 2: of Jesus' epic journey to the cross and from the grave. 83 00:05:45,540 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 2: We're going to take time to feel the heaviness of 84 00:05:47,570 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 2: the cross and the weight of our sins, but we're 85 00:05:49,700 --> 00:05:51,979 Speaker 2: also going to take time to reflect on the magnitude 86 00:05:52,300 --> 00:05:55,920 Speaker 2: of Christ's redemption. Then we're going to celebrate the resurrection 87 00:05:56,140 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 2: and God's ultimate victory over sin, death, and destruction. So 88 00:06:00,660 --> 00:06:03,469 Speaker 2: let's hop back into our story now. Jesus has just 89 00:06:03,529 --> 00:06:06,790 Speaker 2: given his disciples orders to retrieve a donkey. They do 90 00:06:06,830 --> 00:06:10,490 Speaker 2: so with confusion and skepticism, because it seems like Jesus 91 00:06:10,550 --> 00:06:14,610 Speaker 2: is asking them to commit theft. But Jesus is going 92 00:06:14,650 --> 00:06:17,950 Speaker 2: to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, thus fulfilling prophecies 93 00:06:18,290 --> 00:06:20,469 Speaker 2: that remind us that Christ didn't just come to show 94 00:06:20,510 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 2: off his power, but to rule as a prince of peace. 95 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:29,200 Speaker 1: The disciples appointed Peter and John to retrieve the animals. 96 00:06:30,290 --> 00:06:32,510 Speaker 1: The village was muddy from the rain that fell two 97 00:06:32,550 --> 00:06:37,589 Speaker 1: nights before. A dreary gray haze shrouded the town. It 98 00:06:37,630 --> 00:06:40,860 Speaker 1: was like all the sun's light was reserved for Jerusalem, 99 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:43,500 Speaker 1: and there was none left for the poor village residing 100 00:06:43,540 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 1: in its shadow. The first property to the left was 101 00:06:48,660 --> 00:06:51,380 Speaker 1: fenced in by a few stones stacked on top of 102 00:06:51,420 --> 00:06:54,230 Speaker 1: each other. To the left of the house was a 103 00:06:54,250 --> 00:06:58,760 Speaker 1: wooden beam carved from a terebinth tree. Tied firmly to 104 00:06:58,779 --> 00:07:02,710 Speaker 1: the beam were a donkey and her colt. The donkey 105 00:07:02,750 --> 00:07:06,669 Speaker 1: was already broken and ready to be ridden. The colt, however, 106 00:07:07,089 --> 00:07:10,970 Speaker 1: raged against the rope. The beam that kept him from 107 00:07:11,050 --> 00:07:16,940 Speaker 1: running away was a burden, not a comfort. He was unbroken, stiff-necked, 108 00:07:17,500 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: and painfully unaware that the beam kept him safe. The 109 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:26,880 Speaker 1: two men approached gently, Peter from the front and John 110 00:07:26,930 --> 00:07:31,690 Speaker 1: from behind, Their hands reached for the colt's rope when 111 00:07:31,730 --> 00:07:33,650 Speaker 1: a man burst through the door behind them. 112 00:07:34,710 --> 00:07:35,570 Speaker 2: What are you doing? 113 00:07:36,090 --> 00:07:39,370 Speaker 1: The owner shouted. He stormed toward them with a limp 114 00:07:39,450 --> 00:07:43,030 Speaker 1: on his right leg. He hobbled briskly, churning up the 115 00:07:43,070 --> 00:07:43,790 Speaker 1: mud behind him. 116 00:07:44,420 --> 00:07:47,580 Speaker 2: Those are my donkeys. What are you doing with them? 117 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:51,660 Speaker 1: What happened next was perhaps the oddest interaction either of 118 00:07:51,700 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: the two men had had in their lives. Without pretense 119 00:07:55,420 --> 00:07:59,550 Speaker 1: or apology, Peter raised his hand, and repeated the words 120 00:07:59,610 --> 00:08:04,250 Speaker 1: of his master. The Lord has need of them. Of course, 121 00:08:04,290 --> 00:08:06,710 Speaker 1: he did not expect it to be a satisfactory answer, 122 00:08:06,770 --> 00:08:10,810 Speaker 1: but to his dismay, the owner of the donkeys paused. 123 00:08:11,630 --> 00:08:14,310 Speaker 1: The Lord? He asked with a broken voice. 124 00:08:14,860 --> 00:08:17,900 Speaker 2: The Lord requires my donkeys? 125 00:08:18,620 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: His feet remained buried in the mud, but wholly disarmed 126 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:28,110 Speaker 1: where he stood. The owner's previously violent demeanor melted like 127 00:08:28,270 --> 00:08:33,069 Speaker 1: wax before a flickering flame. His eyes widened, his brow 128 00:08:33,150 --> 00:08:37,429 Speaker 1: furled up and in. His expression was doleful, like he 129 00:08:37,470 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 1: had just been scolded in the same way his mother 130 00:08:39,740 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 1: used to. The man shuffled a few paces toward the 131 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:47,120 Speaker 1: men and untied the donkeys for them. He placed the 132 00:08:47,179 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 1: rope in their hands. 133 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:51,870 Speaker 2: Here, I am sorry I gave you trouble. 134 00:08:52,870 --> 00:08:55,290 Speaker 1: May the Lord be with you. He looked up at 135 00:08:55,330 --> 00:08:59,340 Speaker 1: them with watering eyes. The reason for this man's change 136 00:08:59,900 --> 00:09:03,130 Speaker 1: was a mystery, but there was no doubt that God 137 00:09:03,190 --> 00:09:08,010 Speaker 1: himself was at work in his heart. Without saying another word, 138 00:09:09,030 --> 00:09:13,150 Speaker 1: the man left back into his home. The two companions 139 00:09:13,309 --> 00:09:16,630 Speaker 1: departed back to the Mount of Olives. The cold followed 140 00:09:16,650 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 1: them the whole way up. They struggled to reach the 141 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:25,179 Speaker 1: shaded glen where Jesus waited. His hind legs kicked back 142 00:09:25,260 --> 00:09:29,470 Speaker 1: and his head jerked in every direction. Their master stood 143 00:09:29,530 --> 00:09:32,910 Speaker 1: up and reached his hand out to the beast. Its 144 00:09:32,950 --> 00:09:37,369 Speaker 1: punchiness subsided when he touched him. The frenetic energy of 145 00:09:37,390 --> 00:09:42,830 Speaker 1: the colt melted away, just like the owner's. It was 146 00:09:42,910 --> 00:09:48,140 Speaker 1: still and submissive. Peter and John threw their cloaks onto 147 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:52,140 Speaker 1: the colt, and their master mounted it. Then, in some 148 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:57,329 Speaker 1: extraordinary collective consciousness, An ancient prophecy spoken in the darkness 149 00:09:57,429 --> 00:10:01,550 Speaker 1: of Babylonian captivity hundreds of years ago. came rushing back 150 00:10:01,620 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 1: to their memory. Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your 151 00:10:06,900 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 1: king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey, 152 00:10:11,860 --> 00:10:16,460 Speaker 1: on a colt, the foal of a donkey. The prophecy 153 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:20,030 Speaker 1: spoke of the promised prince of peace, who would deliver 154 00:10:20,090 --> 00:10:25,030 Speaker 1: Israel from its captors. They watched him ride down the 155 00:10:25,070 --> 00:10:30,110 Speaker 1: hill toward Jerusalem. The coolness of the early morning dissipated 156 00:10:30,150 --> 00:10:33,340 Speaker 1: with the risen sun. The light surged over the mountains, 157 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:38,059 Speaker 1: splashing the city with warmth. He heard a clamoring in 158 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:43,470 Speaker 1: the distance. Was it a riot or a reception that awaited? 159 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 1: Jesus descended the hill into a small valley beside the 160 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:52,650 Speaker 1: brook Kidron. A week from now, it would be Passover, 161 00:10:53,830 --> 00:10:56,990 Speaker 1: and the water would turn to crimson from the blood 162 00:10:57,030 --> 00:11:01,589 Speaker 1: of animal sacrifices. He rode the colt beside the water 163 00:11:02,050 --> 00:11:05,570 Speaker 1: and leaned down to see his reflection. He still wore 164 00:11:05,610 --> 00:11:09,810 Speaker 1: the clothes of a peasant carpenter from Nazareth. Jesus ascended 165 00:11:09,850 --> 00:11:12,959 Speaker 1: the path leading up to the summit beside the city gates. 166 00:11:14,429 --> 00:11:18,689 Speaker 1: A crowd of thousands gathered before him, thundering with applause 167 00:11:19,070 --> 00:11:23,290 Speaker 1: and praise. They parted in the middle, creating a pathway 168 00:11:23,370 --> 00:11:27,380 Speaker 1: for him to walk in their midst. His companions paced 169 00:11:27,420 --> 00:11:32,050 Speaker 1: behind him in complete awe of what they were witnessing.' 170 00:11:30,860 --> 00:11:36,540 Speaker 1: Hosanna to the Son of David!' they shouted.' Blessed is 171 00:11:36,620 --> 00:11:39,860 Speaker 1: he who comes in the name of the Lord!' they praised.' 172 00:11:40,230 --> 00:11:44,150 Speaker 1: Hosanna to the Highest!' they sang. This wasn't a mere 173 00:11:44,190 --> 00:11:47,189 Speaker 1: gathering to hear him teach or a mob waiting to 174 00:11:47,230 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 1: be healed. This was a coronation. They laid their cloaks 175 00:11:54,250 --> 00:11:59,099 Speaker 1: and palm fronds onto the ground where he stepped. Women sang, 176 00:11:59,420 --> 00:12:04,440 Speaker 1: men clapped, and children danced as he passed them. The 177 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:09,610 Speaker 1: coatless multitude lifted their hands and welcomed their promised king, 178 00:12:10,330 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 1: crowning him with their praises. The disciples kept pace a 179 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:19,939 Speaker 1: few yards behind Jesus. Although the people worshipped him, they 180 00:12:20,059 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 1: could surmise something else was at work in the margin. 181 00:12:24,210 --> 00:12:27,970 Speaker 1: Though the people showered him with praise, Jesus' gaze was 182 00:12:28,090 --> 00:12:32,969 Speaker 1: fixed westward toward the hills. In just a few days 183 00:12:33,030 --> 00:12:37,100 Speaker 1: he would march up those hills with wood and nails 184 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:42,160 Speaker 1: scraping his back. The people clamoring for Jesus to be 185 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:45,730 Speaker 1: adorned with a gold crown were unaware that a crown 186 00:12:45,770 --> 00:12:50,100 Speaker 1: of thorns awaited him. They cheered for him to sit 187 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:54,320 Speaker 1: on a throne, not fathoming that a cross would be 188 00:12:54,380 --> 00:13:02,130 Speaker 1: where he brought justice. Gruesome glory awaited him. Emerging from 189 00:13:02,150 --> 00:13:06,930 Speaker 1: the shadows were the priests and Pharisees. The people's praise 190 00:13:06,970 --> 00:13:12,160 Speaker 1: for Jesus was like nails to stone. The frantic religious 191 00:13:12,260 --> 00:13:16,059 Speaker 1: leaders poured out of the gates, protesting the coronation, yelling. 192 00:13:16,820 --> 00:13:21,939 Speaker 2: Teacher, rebuke your disciples. They are worshipping you like God. 193 00:13:22,450 --> 00:13:25,670 Speaker 1: Jesus glanced away from the hill briefly and looked down 194 00:13:25,730 --> 00:13:30,209 Speaker 1: at them. For a short and frozen space in time, 195 00:13:30,950 --> 00:13:35,150 Speaker 1: the peasant carpenter from Nazareth looked more like his predecessor David. 196 00:13:36,350 --> 00:13:40,109 Speaker 1: He sat atop that colt like a prince and said. 197 00:13:41,130 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 2: If they are silent, the stones themselves will begin to shout. 198 00:13:46,460 --> 00:13:51,800 Speaker 1: With those words, he entered the gate. The resounding roars 199 00:13:51,860 --> 00:13:55,900 Speaker 1: of the crowds dissipated, and the Prince of Peace turned 200 00:13:55,980 --> 00:14:00,250 Speaker 1: his face like a flint to the west. It was 201 00:14:00,290 --> 00:14:03,949 Speaker 1: the beginning of the end, and the hero of heaven 202 00:14:04,870 --> 00:14:09,750 Speaker 1: was on the move. The tip of a hill Oppression, struggle, 203 00:14:09,770 --> 00:14:13,510 Speaker 1: and heartache. This was the backdrop of Jesus' ministry. 204 00:14:32,100 --> 00:14:34,900 Speaker 2: The boot of Rome was heavy on the Jewish people 205 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:38,300 Speaker 2: at that time. Caesar's arm was stretched over the entire 206 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 2: region of Judea. People were taxed beyond their limits, stripped 207 00:14:41,460 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 2: of their agency, and their identities were threatened to their 208 00:14:44,450 --> 00:14:47,510 Speaker 2: very core. The prophets of old spoke of a hero 209 00:14:47,690 --> 00:14:50,650 Speaker 2: who would come to deliver God's people. A seed from Abraham, 210 00:14:50,670 --> 00:14:53,030 Speaker 2: a shoot from the stump of Jesse, a son of David. 211 00:14:53,530 --> 00:14:56,850 Speaker 2: They called him the Messiah. The Jewish people pined after 212 00:14:56,890 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 2: this prophet, this king, this conqueror who was going to 213 00:15:00,420 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 2: liberate the Jewish people. they thought that maybe he would 214 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:05,820 Speaker 2: come to deliver them from the oppression of Rome and 215 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:08,460 Speaker 2: the boot of Caesar. No doubt they had images in 216 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 2: their minds of a noble warrior riding from heaven to 217 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:13,729 Speaker 2: defeat the armies of Rome and take the kingdom of 218 00:15:13,810 --> 00:15:18,390 Speaker 2: Israel back. No doubt prophecies like Psalm 2, 7-9 echoed 219 00:15:18,410 --> 00:15:20,750 Speaker 2: in their minds when it said, You are my son, 220 00:15:20,830 --> 00:15:23,330 Speaker 2: today I have become your father. Ask of me and 221 00:15:23,450 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 2: I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of 222 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 2: the earth your possession. You will rule them with an 223 00:15:28,740 --> 00:15:31,800 Speaker 2: iron scepter. You will dash them to pieces like pottery. 224 00:15:32,020 --> 00:15:34,380 Speaker 2: You see, the people of this time wanted a king. 225 00:15:34,860 --> 00:15:37,730 Speaker 2: They wanted a king to rival Caesar and to bring 226 00:15:37,790 --> 00:15:40,410 Speaker 2: about a new era, an era like the one of 227 00:15:40,450 --> 00:15:43,530 Speaker 2: King David. When Jesus came onto the scene and he 228 00:15:43,570 --> 00:15:47,150 Speaker 2: began performing miracles and challenging the authority of the temple, 229 00:15:47,630 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 2: they thought it was the beginning of some sort of revolution. 230 00:15:50,820 --> 00:15:53,840 Speaker 2: Their conquering king had finally come. The son of David 231 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:56,420 Speaker 2: had arrived. And you really get that sense when Jesus 232 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:59,940 Speaker 2: arrives and people are heralding him as a king. However, 233 00:16:00,260 --> 00:16:03,560 Speaker 2: Jesus didn't act like a typical king. He didn't come 234 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:06,210 Speaker 2: galloping in on a white horse with an army behind him. 235 00:16:06,730 --> 00:16:09,170 Speaker 2: He rode in on an unbroken colt of a donkey, 236 00:16:09,670 --> 00:16:13,150 Speaker 2: with a posse of fishermen and vagabonds behind him. Jesus 237 00:16:13,250 --> 00:16:16,550 Speaker 2: was indeed on a kingly mission, and his eyes were 238 00:16:16,610 --> 00:16:19,370 Speaker 2: set on winning the war ahead. But his mission wasn't 239 00:16:19,410 --> 00:16:22,240 Speaker 2: to overthrow a government or usurp the throne of Caesar. 240 00:16:22,940 --> 00:16:25,410 Speaker 2: Jesus had a bigger prize ahead of him. the souls 241 00:16:25,470 --> 00:16:28,710 Speaker 2: of mankind. Jesus was a conquering king, but his victory 242 00:16:28,790 --> 00:16:31,830 Speaker 2: wasn't over an army or a fortified city. His victory 243 00:16:32,030 --> 00:16:35,630 Speaker 2: was claimed through loving sacrifice and taking the punishment for 244 00:16:35,690 --> 00:16:39,100 Speaker 2: our sins. Knowing full well what awaited him, knowing that 245 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:42,440 Speaker 2: he must endure the cross before receiving the kingdom, Jesus 246 00:16:42,500 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 2: marched forward. In his suffering, we should admire, not pity Jesus. 247 00:16:47,340 --> 00:16:50,860 Speaker 2: He knew exactly what was before him. They heralded him 248 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:54,440 Speaker 2: as a conquering king. But it wasn't a golden and 249 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:57,750 Speaker 2: jeweled arrayed throne that awaited him, but a cross. It 250 00:16:57,780 --> 00:17:00,090 Speaker 2: wasn't a bright and shiny crown that was going to 251 00:17:00,110 --> 00:17:02,410 Speaker 2: be placed on his head, but a crown of thorns. 252 00:17:02,850 --> 00:17:06,129 Speaker 2: John 11.57 makes it clear. If Jesus was going to 253 00:17:06,170 --> 00:17:09,390 Speaker 2: march into Jerusalem, the Pharisees and the priests were going 254 00:17:09,410 --> 00:17:12,709 Speaker 2: to conspire to kill him. But despite all that, Jesus 255 00:17:12,770 --> 00:17:16,109 Speaker 2: came into Jerusalem in the most public way possible. One 256 00:17:16,270 --> 00:17:19,649 Speaker 2: constant idea we're going to explore in this podcast is 257 00:17:19,670 --> 00:17:22,340 Speaker 2: that Jesus was not a victim. He wasn't a victim 258 00:17:22,380 --> 00:17:25,530 Speaker 2: of circumstance. Although the path ahead of him would lead 259 00:17:25,570 --> 00:17:30,170 Speaker 2: to suffering, Jesus confidently walked forward. He was and is 260 00:17:30,350 --> 00:17:33,050 Speaker 2: the king of heaven and the promised hero of history. 261 00:17:33,510 --> 00:17:35,630 Speaker 2: He was definitely worthy of the praise that people were 262 00:17:35,650 --> 00:17:38,180 Speaker 2: giving him as he had this triumphal entry. But this 263 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 2: story shows Jesus has a different perspective of royalty. This 264 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:47,180 Speaker 2: story shows Jesus displaying confidence but also humility. He received 265 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:49,540 Speaker 2: their praises because he was worthy of their praises. He 266 00:17:49,660 --> 00:17:53,420 Speaker 2: was indeed the son of David. He was the Messiah. However, 267 00:17:53,859 --> 00:17:56,699 Speaker 2: he didn't lord that identity over them with heavy hands. 268 00:17:57,040 --> 00:18:00,389 Speaker 2: He was humble and intentional with every word and never self-gratifying. 269 00:18:00,930 --> 00:18:02,670 Speaker 2: He entered in on a donkey with a posse of 270 00:18:02,730 --> 00:18:05,430 Speaker 2: fishermen behind him, not on a white horse with an army. 271 00:18:06,210 --> 00:18:09,310 Speaker 2: This entry into Jerusalem is what's known as the triumph 272 00:18:09,350 --> 00:18:12,860 Speaker 2: of Christ, the triumphal entry. It was indeed a triumph, 273 00:18:13,040 --> 00:18:16,060 Speaker 2: but it was a triumph of humility over pride. of 274 00:18:16,180 --> 00:18:21,000 Speaker 2: poverty over affluence, of meekness over rage and malice. Jesus 275 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:25,490 Speaker 2: balanced humility and nobility. As believers, we're all supposed to 276 00:18:25,570 --> 00:18:28,929 Speaker 2: strive for this balance of confidence and humility. We can 277 00:18:28,950 --> 00:18:31,149 Speaker 2: have assurance in our identities, who we serve, and the 278 00:18:31,190 --> 00:18:33,350 Speaker 2: mission we're called to. That should give us a boldness 279 00:18:33,390 --> 00:18:37,190 Speaker 2: and a confidence. However, when acting out our identities and mission, 280 00:18:37,270 --> 00:18:39,350 Speaker 2: we should do so with humility and a tender heart. 281 00:18:39,970 --> 00:18:42,010 Speaker 2: Jesus said, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit 282 00:18:42,030 --> 00:18:44,980 Speaker 2: the earth. That meekness doesn't mean weakness. It doesn't mean 283 00:18:45,020 --> 00:18:48,350 Speaker 2: that we're feeble people. It means we know who we are. 284 00:18:48,630 --> 00:18:50,850 Speaker 2: We know the power within us, but we use it 285 00:18:50,890 --> 00:18:54,470 Speaker 2: to help others instead of ourselves. We serve instead of 286 00:18:54,510 --> 00:18:56,770 Speaker 2: demanding to be served. That is going to be a 287 00:18:56,810 --> 00:19:00,389 Speaker 2: continual theme as we explore the story of Jesus. The 288 00:19:00,410 --> 00:19:02,709 Speaker 2: Son of Man did not come to be served. He 289 00:19:02,770 --> 00:19:05,649 Speaker 2: came to serve. During this Easter season, let's put on 290 00:19:05,670 --> 00:19:09,060 Speaker 2: the mind of Christ and balance humility with nobility. Let's 291 00:19:09,100 --> 00:19:11,919 Speaker 2: walk confidently in who we are while always looking for 292 00:19:11,940 --> 00:19:14,780 Speaker 2: who we can serve. Join us for our next episode 293 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:18,540 Speaker 2: to watch Jesus passionately storm the temple courtyard with fire 294 00:19:18,580 --> 00:19:20,680 Speaker 2: in his belly. Do you think we serve a weak 295 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:24,680 Speaker 2: and passive God? Think again. Jesus is about to cause 296 00:19:24,720 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 2: some commotion and set a divine plan in motion. If 297 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:31,399 Speaker 2: you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow the podcast. 298 00:19:31,580 --> 00:19:33,770 Speaker 2: That way, you never have to miss an episode. You 299 00:19:33,790 --> 00:19:36,310 Speaker 2: can find more epic stories from the Bible by downloading 300 00:19:36,330 --> 00:19:38,310 Speaker 2: the Pray.com app. See you next time.