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Date:   04/05/09

Text:   Mark 11:1-10, Isaiah 50:4-9a

Title:   TrueFaced

Theme: Jesus Christ did not let anyone define his agenda and actions, instead he was obedient to the Lord God.

 

Introduction:

 

  In order to win the votes, politicians usually promise what the voters want to hear. The promise in Detroit will be very different from the one in Silicon Valley . However, once elected, they would have problems delivering what was promised. Very often in the process, they have allowed others to define who they are. This past week, I read an article in the Newsweek magazine about Paul Krugmann, a Nobel prize winner, in economics. He is known for not being a friend to the white House. During the last 8 years he had been a severe critic of the Bush administration. Now, he is called President Obama's toughest liberal critic. His column in NY Times is widely read and Newsweek called him a man that would not let others define him.

  Some of you are probably wondering if we have another typo in today's bulletin. What is TrueFaced? Actually it is the name of a book. While reading about Paul Krugmann, I thought of this book. It is about not being two faced, wearing masks in order to please others. But rather, we are to live out who God says we are. We must not let others define our values and actions, we are to be truefaced.

  The Mark passage before us is most widely read on this Palm Sunday. With Jesus' entry into Jerusalem , he began his final week of ministry on earth. From this passage we want to explore how Jesus would not allow others define his being and actions and interfere with his obedience to God.

I •  Jesus entered Jerusalem as a Royal King.

Traditionally, we interpret the mule/donkey as a humble, lowly animal. Therefore Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a mule is a symbol of his humility. But this morning, we ask: really? Is this really a symbol of Jesus' humility? Let's first take a look at a passage in the OT. 1King 1:32-34, “ 32 King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. 33 And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. 34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel . Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!'” The elderly King David was making arrangement for his son, Solomon's coronation. A coronation was a big event, like our president's inauguration. The president arrives at the Capital Hill in that huge limousine. Ancient kings, especially Roman emperors, would ride on a big white horse. But, what was David's instruction? Have Solomon my son ride on my own mule,…. What, a donkey, David's own donkey, why?

David was a hill country chief. Solomon was the son of a hill country's chief. When David was running from Saul, he had to hide in mountain caves. What do you think would be the animal of choice in those terrains? Most likely the donkey. Horses are good for the plains and the highways, the straight and wide roads. Donkeys would be ideal for the hill country. David wanted Solomon to use his own mule meant that David did not want Solomon to forget his experience. In other OT passages, when describing the coming Messiah, he is often associated with a donkey. Yes, a donkey is a lowly animal, but it is really a Royal donkey. So, when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, the Romans would make fun of him, but the Jews clearly understood this symbol. Jesus was arriving, entering the royal city on a royal donkey. He was coming as a king and the people welcomed him.

This was certainly the height of his popularity. Mark wrote that the entire city, old and young, had come to welcome him. This is the scene all kings and presidents would long for. For those of us familiar with the biblical story, we knew what happened after this entry. In another 4 days, he would be betrayed by one of his disciples, arrested, beaten, spit upon and die on the cross, then three days later, he would rise from the dead. But did this king know what was ahead of him? Now, we'll turn the clock back, and look at what was written over six hundred years prior to this event.

II •  Jesus came as a King that is teachable.

Isaiah 50 is one of the servant songs found in the book of Isaiah. The person Isaiah described was the Messiah, the servant king that was to come. What was unique about this servant King? Vs.4a, c, “ The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught…. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.” A tongue that is teachable. Every morning he (God) woke up the servant King so he could listen to the teaching from above. Vs.5, “The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.” For those familiar with the OT, when we read “I was not rebellious, I turned not backward”, it brings to our minds Adam, the first Adam. He was taught, instructed, but he was rebellious and turned backward, not listening to his creator. But not this servant King, this Messiah, he was obedient to the teaching he received. What we see is the Messiah, the servant king, Jesus Christ, who was humble and teachable. In Apostle Paul's words, “….he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men….” (Phil 2:6-8). Yes, he was the King, the Messiah; and he entered Jerusalem in a kingly manner. However, he was humble and teachable. This is a rare combination: A king, yet humble and teachable.

A teachable person is one who continues to listen to others, continues to attend Sunday School to study God's word. I think of many individuals, in this and other churches attending BSF non-stop for over 20 years. Then there are also many among us, especially the elderly, who have been faithfully attending Sunday School classes ever since they came to this church. We are so thankful for this. A teachable person is one who continues to ask questions such as, “what is the meaning of this passage? I have read it many times, I thought I knew its meaning, but not sure anymore. Or, what is the best way to preach this passage? I thought it was simple, but I am confused.” They appear to be simple questions, right? But the longer we are Christians or in the ministry, the more difficult it is for us to ask. There is too much pride.

When I was asked what were some of the requirements I expected from my students in china attending the preaching class. I usually told the sponsors that I prefer those with less than 5 years of preaching experience. You see, the longer you've preached, the more you think you know it all. You come to the class not to learn, but to find confirmation of what you have been doing. Howard Hendricks once said, “the moment someone receives his Ph.D., he stopped learning, he is brain dead” Whenever we feel that we have known it all, it is good to remember that this servant King; He was humble and teachable.

III •  Jesus came as a Teaching King.

Jesus came as a king that was teachable. Vs.4b, “ The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary .” This servant king was teachable, he was taught, what for? So that he could help the weary ones with words of comfort. He received instructions so he could sustain and encourage those with heavy burdens of life. When we look at Jesus' life and teaching, we see how he invited those who labored and were heavy laden to come to him and he'd give them rest.

What do we do with the truth that we've received? As I reflect upon my spiritual journey, I recognized that there were periods when I was absorbing doctrines and great insights from God's servants like Ray Stedman, C.S. Lewis, John Stott, and Francis Schaeffer. They were instrumental in opening up my spiritual eyes, leading me to a greater understanding of God's word. However, I also noticed, in some of those moments, that I was rather impatient with those who held a different view from me. I was kind of skeptical or critical of others at times. I was rather proud and arrogant.

What do we learn from this Servant King? He received teaching, so he could comfort, encourage and sustain the weary ones. We are to use God's word to nurture and build others up. In the morning devotions with the office and pastoral staff, we are going through the book of Proverbs. We notice how the theme of proper speech, speaking with the right words, resonate throughout this book. For example, “..speak noble things (8:6), mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life (10:11), the tongue of the wise brings healing (12:18), a word in season, how good it is (15:23), gracious words are pure (15:26), a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver (25:11).”

During this economic hard time, we are surrounded by many who are laboring and carrying heavy burdens. God's words and truth we've learned are not to be used to hurt others and damage relationships. We received God's words and truth so that we can help, encourage and comfort those whom God brings into our lives

IV •  Jesus came as a Suffering King.

Jesus entered Jerusalem as a royal king. But this king was different. His mission was foreordained. He came as a humble, teachable and teaching king. There is more to this. in vs. 6,7, “I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. …. therefore I have set my face like a flint,…” The servant king knew that he would be beaten, his beard pulled and spat upon. He knew he would be utterly humiliated. Yet he did not turn back nor did he waver, he did not hide his face from shame, humiliation, instead he set his face like a flint. Even as Jesus was riding on that royal donkey, entering Jerusalem, his own city, he knew he would be beaten, spit upon and humiliated, just as the prophet Isaiah foretold. Again, the first Adam failed when tempted by the evil one. He brought great shame to himself and God. But this second Adam would not be disgraced or put to shame. He would face the suffering head on. As a matter of fact, he knew all along what would occur in Jerusalem, yet he was determined to enter the city. In Luke 9:51 we have these words describing Jesus, “….he set his face to go to Jerusalem……53...because his face was set toward Jerusalem.” (it is like setting his face like a flint). Why was he so sure that he would not fail? Vs.7a, 9a,“ But the Lord God helps me;….Behold, the Lord God helps me” This can be translated as the Lord God will help me.” This Servant King was so certain that the Lord God would help him, therefore he will not be disgraced.

As we look at the events that occurred after Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, he did not disgrace God. Why? Because God helped him. God helped him during the painful hours in the Garden of Gethsemane. God helped him during the agonizing moments on the cross. What was the driving force behind Jesus' entry into Jerusalem? Not simply his humility, but even more so, it was his obedience to his heavenly father. The first Adam failed to obey, but this second Adam, Jesus Christ, was obedient unto death.

Isn't this a lesson we can all learn? We do not let others define our being and doing. Obedience to our heavenly father is the motivational force in our spiritual journey. As believers, we are not to seek self gratification, asking God to help me to realize my dreams. Instead, we are to obey him. As we go through economic down times, as we experience prolonged sickness or different trials in life, our prayer and desire is to obey him and not to disgrace and shame Him. This is difficult, but there is the assurance that he will help us.

Conclusion:

 I don't think many of us would go out to win votes. However, many of us, deep within is the desire to please others, especially those important persons in our lives. We can think of some daughters keep buying presents for their mothers in order to gain her love. Or to many ministers, the important person is the congregation. There were times I'd struggle over what to say or preach. Will I offend anyone if I say this? They may not like this truth, so I should dilute it a little. If we don't watch out, we ministers of the gospel would let others set our agenda, deciding what we should say and do.

How about you? When we are young, our parents help us to understand who we are and what we do. As we grow older, we begin to let others set the agenda for us. Sometimes, in order to please others, to be accepted by others, or to be popular among a group of friends, we begin to do what they expect us to do. To different people we may act differently, we are like the twofaced person. We get confused not knowing who we are anymore.

  However, in these last few days of the Lent season, we can all learn from our Lord Jesus Christ. He was very much welcomed by the residents of Jerusalem. Yes, on this day, they treated him correctly, that he was the royal king. Yet, Jesus never let anyone define his agenda, his being and actions. From the very beginning, he took his order from the Lord God almighty. He was obedient to his heavenly Father. You see, his entry into Jerusalem was not a mere symbol of humility, but a symbol of obedience. He knew what was awaiting him; beatings, spitting and humiliations. Yet, his obedience to his heavenly father compelled him to make this journey. Yes, he is the royal king, but furthermore, a humble, teachable, teaching and suffering king. We do not follow the first Adam who failed in his obedience to God. Instead we follow the second Adam, this servant King. He will help us to follow and obey him.



http://archive.hcchome.org/

English Service:

Mandarin Service:

Cantonese Service:

2014 |2013 |2012 |2011 |2010 |2009 |2008 |2007
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999

2014|2013|2012|2011|2010|2009|2008 |2007
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999
Cantonese audio translation available up to 2011

2014 |2013 |2012 |2011

 


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