2019_04_14 - The Long-Awaited King

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The Long-Awaited King
Luke 19:28-40

• Do you like waiting? Does anyone?
  • Waiting for a certain date & time vs.
  • Waiting for something to happen… when?
    • Waiting for the world to change?

• Did you know TWO processions into Jerusalem?
  • From the West: Pilate's Procession
    • The rulers, the soldiers and cavalry
    • Many "gods" represented by Caesar
    • Peace through Roman power
  • Pilate was an expert in the “game of thrones”…
    • Maneuvering for position; stabbing others in the back
    • Gaining power at the expense of others
    • Who will win? Who will lose?
      
  • But today we celebrate the Triumphal Entry!
    • From the East: Jesus' Procession
      • The "peasants," the poor, the faithful
      • Proclaiming the Kingdom of God
      • Peace through God's strength, shown in our weakness
    • Jesus was a King who refused to “play the game”
      • Humble ourselves to be exalted by others
      • Turn the other cheek; forgive a brother 77 times...
      • Praise a widow giving a penny vs. others giving fortunes
      • A STRONG person who turned down the lure of power to stand between us and death

• Which King Will We Choose?
  • The irony: many people wanted Jesus to be more like Pilate
  • Let Jesus Be Jesus! Come to Him, not trying to "redefine Jesus for the 21st century." Jesus is just fine, thanks.
  • Jesus’ approach seemed doomed to failure, but (and here’s the kicker) how many of us remembered Pilate had a procession that day? 
  • Seems like in this case, the world did change for the better!  Maybe if we let Jesus be Jesus IN US, it will continue to!