This morning we are going to backtrack. Eleven sermons in our series, "Jesus I Will Ponder Now" have been preached. Those sermons built on top of each other as we progressed through the events of Holy Week up to Good Friday. The foundation was laid on Ash Wednesday, when we heard that Jesus came to this world to be a servant, to give his life as ransom. A few days ago, we heard that Jesus was put on the cross to save us, not himself. In between God's Word reminded us again of Jesus amazing love that led him to suffer and die for all mankind.

Today, we backtrack. We go back to the beginning of Holy Week, Palm Sunday. We will hear of Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem in triumph. We will see Jesus humbly going about the business of redeeming the world. Today, Jesus rides on to save us.

Jesus was coming close to Jerusalem. He told his followers that in Jerusalem he would be arrested, put on trial, and crucified. But Jesus went deliberately into Jerusalem. He went willingly to set people free from the power of Satan and to make them new people under God.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, he sent two of his disciples on a mission. He told them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." These two men were to acquire transportation for Jesus to enter the city. But this would not be some fancy ride that Jesus would take. His disciples were to get him a donkey, definitely not the Cadillac of animals. This was a lowly beast of burden.

The disciples obeyed Jesus because they he would never send them on a fool's errand, but why a donkey? Shouldn't the King of Kings have been riding in a gold trimmed chariot that was pulled by magnificent stallions? Listen to the words of verses 4 and 5. 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" Those are the words of Zechariah that were in our Old Testament lesson for this morning. Jesus put this prophecy into fulfillment by having his disciples carry out their mission to secure the donkey. Just as Jesus fulfilled all other prophecies concerning the Messiah, he intentionally made this one come true.

Verses 6 and 7 tell us, 6 "The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them." The disciples secured the donkey and Jesus began his march toward death. He went forward willingly. He went forward humbly. Jesus was the one who rebuked storms, drove out demons, and raised the dead. He is all-powerful. He is the mighty king. But Christ rode into Jerusalem, not like a general, but like the Prince of Peace.

This brings to mind the hymn we sung before: Ride on, Ride on in majesty. In lowly pomp ride on to die. In "lowly pomp" is how our Savior entered into the city for Holy Week.

And the people in Jerusalem that day responded! 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"

They came out to meet Jesus and kept on spreading their clothes out on the road before him. This may seem like an odd thing to do, but they were displaying their submission to the king. They cut palm branches and laid them on road. They treated him like royalty with their actions.

The people also sang the praises of Jesus with their words. "Hosanna!" they shouted. This is a word that denotes the highest praise to be given. They called him the Son of David. They were acknowledging that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah, the one who came as the offspring of David. He was in the royal line that would establish an eternal kingdom.

And they shouted, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" The crowd recognized that Jesus was blessed by God. They believed that he was the fulfillment of God's unfailing promise given to David. And the people gave him the loftiest praise by shouting, "Hosanna in the highest!" Jesus was riding into Jerusalem to save the world.

And we need saving. The disciples followed the will of Jesus. They carried out the mission that Jesus sent them on. In contrast, what do you do? When God gives us a command to do his will, do you first ask, "Well how much will it cost me? Do we have to pay for it?" When God commands you to obey, do you wonder first if this will make you less popular with your friends? When God gives you a mission, do decline because you think you can have more fun doing something else?

The crowd that was shouted Jesus' praises that day. Do you proclaim his majesty and glory with your words and actions? Or do you hide your light so that no one can see it?

Jesus Christ set the example for us. He humbly rode into Jerusalem knowing full well that he would pay the ultimate price. He did not act selfishly. Are you a selfish person?

When we do this kind of comparison, it is obvious that we are failures, sinners one and all. We need a Savior, because we would be headed to hell without one.

God's love moved him to send us that Savior and he rode on to save us Palm Sunday. He woke up all of Jerusalem that day. 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." Jesus rode into the city on lowly donkey, receiving the praise of the people.

But he knew that this praise would not last. For our Savior gave up his perfect life for us. His innocence meant nothing to those who put him to death. But Jesus' innocence means everything to us, for we receive that perfection. The innocent life of Jesus was soon snuffed out as he gave up his spirit on the cross. When the Savior exclaimed, "It is finished!", our salvation was won for all eternity. He paid the price for our sins. He removed the guilt from our consciences. We were set free because Jesus rode on to save us.

A week from today, Lord willing, we will meet here in God's house again to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not stay dead, but he rose triumphantly from the grave. And that means that we have the sure confidence that death holds no fear for us. This world and our lives will not last forever, but that does not matter because Jesus rode on to give a home us in heaven with him. Hosanna in the highest!

That message of Jesus life, death, and resurrection fills our hearts, souls, and minds with peace, comfort, and joy. So shout your praises to the triumphant King of Kings. Follow the example of Jesus and live humble lives. Follow the examples of Jesus' disciples and carry out the mission God has given to us to spread the Gospel. Never ask how much this will cost. Ask how much you can give! Be more concerned with eternal life than glory in this life. Shout the praises of Jesus this week like the crowd on Palm Sunday. Sing your Alleluias to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Jesus rode on to die. He did this for you. He did this for me. He did this for the whole world. Be comforted with this Gospel. Hosanna to the King of salvation!