What Will You Lay Down for the King?

The message was brought by Rev. Bob Surber on 3/24/24.

Matthew 21:4-11  4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

This was an important moment in Israel and for all mankind.  The crowds were thick because of the feast. Jews from everywhere were gathered. The Passover lambs would be set aside for each family on this day. They could have no blemishes about them at all. From the Mount of Olives is the view of Jerusalem. God still has his hand on Israel to this day.  Something was different this time. It was here that Jesus overlooked the city and his heart was broken because Israel had not accepted him as the Messiah.

Jesus had instructed the disciples where and how to get the colt he would ride into town. It was found just as he told them. Jesus knew it was time for the prophecy to be fulfilled “O Zion, lift up your voice; the King is coming.” Jesus prepared himself to enter Jerusalem. The disciples laid their outer garments on the donkey for a makeshift saddle. What do we have to lay down for the King? Can’t you give Jesus your heart? Are we afraid of what giving to the Lord may cost us?

He wouldn’t go into the city in a stately manner as other kings had done. As he proceeded the people laid down their garments to make a pathway for him. Some even cut palm branches. It was a path fit for a King. The people began to shout:  Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. They were receiving their King.  What did the crowds see?  The lowly Nazarene on a donkey. Can we not praise him today! We are the heralds. Don’t be ashamed to praise him. We get excited about many things. Why not get excited about Jesus. 

The history of life changed on this day. Get a fresh recognition of who Jesus is. This is the moment to come. Surrender. Lay down what you need to.  Open your heart.  I’m afraid I’ve laid down a pitiful little for him. He laid it all down for you and me. By the end of the week he would die on the cross in our place.  What more could we ask?  He paid it all. The Father in heaven received the sacrifice and was pleased. Thank God he came!  Have you laid down your all for him?