Title: What is Victory? / Matthew 21:1-11
Contents
Title: What is Victory?
Text: Matthew 21:1-11
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, (2) saying, “Go to the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied up and a colt together; untie it and bring it to me.” If anyone says anything to you, say, ‘The Lord will use it,’ and he will send it immediately.” (4) This was to fulfill what was said by the prophet, (5) He said to the daughter of Zion, “Your king is coming to you, humble and with a donkey, a yoke. (6) The disciples went and did as Jesus commanded (7) brought a donkey and a colt, and put their cloaks on them, and Jesus rode on them (8) the crowd Most spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from trees and spread them on the road. ) When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in a commotion, saying, “Who is this?” (11) The crowd said, “Jesus the prophet who came out of Nazareth in Galilee.”
Introduction: Today is Palm Sunday. The palm is a tree that represents victory. In the ancient Middle East, people celebrated victory by waving palm branches in a V shape to welcome the entering king or general after winning a battle against the enemy. So, Palm Sunday also means Victory Sunday.
1. The State of Israel at the Time
Israel was then a vassal of Rome. So, as prophesied in the Bible, Israel was hoping that a Messiah like David would appear and liberate Israel from Rome.
But Jesus, who appeared like a comet at that time, performed miracles and powers, and not only referred to himself as the Messiah, but also
The Bible prophesied, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, daughter of Jerusalem; behold, your King comes to you, just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, the colt of a donkey, the foal of a donkey." Zechariah 9:9)
As Jesus rode in on a donkey, all the people of Israel, who had heard the prophecy of the prophet, believed that the Messiah had now appeared and welcomed it.
2. God's plan Our plan
In general, to speak of victory or success, we have to associate a practical matter above all else.
That is why we believe that success and victory are achieved only when we possess more or more material, power, or knowledge than others.
So, we are struggling in life and death, trying to get more of these things than others. Reflecting such a state of affairs, at one time, a female talent was able to warm the hearts of the people with a single ment: “Get rich.” So, especially when getting on and off the taxi, if the driver's greeting is "Get rich," the customer was moved and said, "Be rich, too."
We pray that all the members of our possible church will become rich. I wish you to be rich in heart. But first of all, I pray that you will become the rich and spiritual rich of the gospel. Hallelujah!
Of course, material things are essential to our lives, so we have to earn a lot. Worldly conditions and circumstances are essential to living in the world.
So, for Israel at that time, in a situation where the nation was taken away and they were living as slaves, the Messiah was the absolute being who defeated the Roman army and liberated Israel.
However, God's interest went beyond the liberation of one nation, Israel from Rome, and He was carrying out the work of salvation with a plan to save all mankind who were drowning in sin and groaning.
3. The entry of Jesus
Jesus, who enters the city of Jerusalem as the Messiah as prophesied in the Bible, enters not for worldly victory, but to carry the cross of suffering to save all mankind.
He does not come to win the war, but to be captured and killed by Roman soldiers. He came to become a living sacrifice to pay for the sins of all mankind.
That is why John the Baptist, who was baptizing the people in the Jordan River earlier, saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
And the prophet Isaiah
It is prophesied in Isaiah 53:5-6, "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and with his wounds we are healed. (6) We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; but the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of our group."
Therefore, the figure of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey today is that he entered the city as a sacrifice offered to God to save sinners like me. The Bible prophesied that Jesus, who entered into suffering and despised death, was the king of victory.
4. True Victory
We must learn what real victory is here.
what is real victory
It is doing the will of God.
Living according to God's plan.
It is doing what God wants you to do.
It is doing what pleases God.
No matter how great you are, even if it is evaluated as a great victory and success in human terms, it is neither a real victory nor a success unless it is God's will.
History does not call the emperor Nero the victor, who killed the Lord's disciple Peter by hanging him upside down on a cross. Of course, at that time, he was a man who possessed all the things that a human could enjoy in the midst of unconditional strength and strength, and the overflowing wealth and wealth. are suffering. However, Peter is a virtuous person of great wisdom. His name shines brightly. Its existence is beautifully engraved into the world.
At least, the Christian life values must be lived according to this Gospel.
Even if you die, I pray that you believe that dying in the Lord is glory and victory.
Even if you live, I hope you believe that it is a true victory when you live in the Lord. Hallelujah!!
Therefore, even if you earn money, you must earn it in a way that pleases God. Even if we gain power or wealth, everyone must go the way that pleases God.
Even if there are hardships and adversity at times, even if it takes a little bit of damage, if it is a path that is pleasing to God, you should go on that path without hesitation.
Just as Jesus faced death and entered the city of Jerusalem proudly, we too must follow the Lord's way. Just as the glory of the Lord's resurrection awaits there, I believe that victory will come in our lives, just as the great work of saving all people will take place.