THE PRAISE OF MEN!

                                                           Luke 19:28-44

INTRODUCTION: The last week of our Lord Jesus’ life takes up 1/3 of the Gospels of Matthew,

Mark, and Luke. That last week of Jesus life takes up ½ of John’s Gospel. It was the last week of

Jesus’ life on this earth most clearly show who this man Jesus Christ was and is! There are great

highs and deep lows in the last week of our Lord’s life on this earth. The words the gospel

writers used are full of emotion: Hosanna, betrayal, denial, trial, scourging, crucifixion, the

tomb. All these and those words: “He is not here He is risen just as He said!” Matthew 28:5-7.

I. PASSOVER IN JERUSALEM!

It was Passover time in Jerusalem and Jesus came into the city on a donkey and the colt of a

donkey. All rulers in times of peace rode on a donkey. When a ruler entered a city on a horse

it was to conquer during times of war. Isn’t it interesting that the next time Jesus comes to

Jerusalem He will be riding on a white horse! Revelation 19:11-16. Jesus rode on a donkey to

fulfill Scripture: Matthew 21:1-5That fulfilled a prophecy given 500 years before that event took

place: Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:8-9.

II. WHO IS THIS MAN?

Who is this man? Jesus was a son of King David: Matthew 21:9. Here again this was the

fulfillment of a prophecy given 700 years before the birth of Christ: Isaiah 9:6-7. Who is this

man? He is the blessed man coming in the name of the Lord! Matthew 21:9. This is a direct

fulfillment of a prophecy given 1,000 years before: Psalm 118:19-29. Who is this man? He is

the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee! Matthew 21:10-11. When the parade is over, who is this

man? He is the carpenter’s son after all no-good thing can come out of Nazareth!

Luke 13:34-35.

III. WHEN JESUS COMES THERE IS HOPE!

When Jesus comes there is hope: Matthew 21:12-16. For three years Jesus had been bring

hope to the hopeless. The blind saw, the deaf heard, the dumb spoke, the paralytics walked,

and demons were cast out. On parade day Jesus was the center of attention, but this was the

last day of His public acceptance in Israel. The praise of man is short lived. Often the praise of

men is given to us to test us. Some tests are very clear: Matthew 4:8-10. We are often tested

by the praise we receive: Matthew 21:8-9. The crowd on parade day wanted to make Jesus

their king: John 6:14-15 but it was not yet time for that. You also will be tested by the praise of

men: Proverbs 27:21. When we think we are really something we need to take heed: 1

Corinthians 10:11-13; Acts 12:19-23. We need to pass our praise onto the One Who has given

us our giftedness: 1 Corinthians 4:7; John 5:41-44. Loving the praise of men has caused many

to turn from following the Lord: John 12:42-43; Romans 10:9-10, 13. The praise of men on

parade day is often short lived.