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Broken-hearted
(Luke 19:28-44)
Yearly Theme: “Kindness is… Action”
Series Title: “Suffering Servant”
April 2nd, 2023

Something to think about:

Today is “Palm Sunday.” It’s the day leading into holy week when Jesus made His triumphal entry, and was hailed as King by the throngs of people that lined the roads leading into Jerusalem. It is a day of celebration, as Jesus is recognized by the crowd as the One King who has come in the name of the LORD. He is hailed as Hosanna, the One who saves, and the son of King David, the long-awaited Messiah.

The celebration of Jesus’ entry would be short-lived, for later in the week, He would be arrested, beaten, and condemned to death by crucifixion. However, for our purposes today we will only be looking at His triumphal entry.

Though all of the Gospels record Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we will be exploring Luke’s account. Let’s take a look:

Though the setting is celebratory, Jesus’ countenance is somber and contemplative. He knows what this final journey is leading to, and he knows that the people don’t really understand who He is and why He has come. With a steely determination, and a broken heart, Jesus

Here’s the takeaway:

Key Point: “Spiritual blindness leads to broken-heartedness.”

There are three main points that we need to explore today:

· Embraced as _____ … Sort of.

Luke 19:36-38 (NLT), 36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.
38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

· A final ______.

Luke 19:39-40 (NLT), 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”
40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

· _______ to GOD’s ________.

Luke 19:41-42 (NLT), 41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.

Something to take home:

Author and missionary, Lou Nicholes, writes,

“A while ago my wife and I were eating lunch at a Christian camp and conference center. We sat down at a table with two couples we had never met before. During our conversation, I learned that they were staying in their motor homes in the RV Park and had sort of landed there by accident, not realizing it was a Christian camp. One of the ladies then asked me what was meant by the term ‘being born again.’ When I asked each of them if they had ever trusted Christ (John 1:12), one lady said she was fortunate to have been a Christian all her life, as she grew up in a good home. When I shared how we are saved by God’s grace and there is nothing we can do (Eph. 2:8-9) the lady seemed to be blind to this truth.”

There are many people who believe in GOD, but who have neglected to surrender their lives to Christ. They either don’t know or have forgotten what Jesus said to Nicodemus, “I tell you the truth, UNLESS YOU ARE BORN AGAIN, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” They either don’t know or have forgotten what Jesus said to His disciples when He declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO ONE CAN COME TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.”[1] They either don’t know, or have forgotten the words of Jesus to the crowds, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”[2] They either don’t know or have forgotten that Jesus said, “I am the gate [to the Kingdom of GOD]. Those who come in THROUGH ME will be saved.”[3]

Have we embraced Jesus as King in our churches today? Are we listening to His appeals? Are we blinded to GOD’s presence in our midst? Is Jesus weeping over our cities and towns knowing that peace has been hidden from our eyes?

We must cry out to GOD and seek the face of Christ while there’s still time. Maybe, just maybe, GOD will have mercy on us.

Key Point: “Spiritual blindness leads to broken-heartedness.”


[1] John 14:6, NLT.
[2] Luke 9:23, NLT.
[3] John 10:9a, NLT.

WITH A GROUP

1. What kind of man were the Hebrew people expecting God to send as Messiah? How did Isaiah’s prophecy some 700 years earlier address those expectations?


2. What was happening in the culture during the time of Isaiah’s prophecy? What was happening in the culture when Jesus arrived on the scene?


3. Why was it so difficult for people to understand the Messiah and Suffering Servant of God would be the same person?


4. What role did the prophets play in the Hebrew culture?

JOURNAL

Why is it difficult for us to reconcile pain with trusting in a good God?


How often do I pray for relief from suffering assuming that suffering would not be God’s desire for me?


What good can possibly come from my suffering?


Do I trust in God’s sovereignty?


How do I respond when my circumstances are more difficult than my expectations?

GO into the world

APPLICATION

This week be intentionally looking for someone whom you can bless unexpectedly.

Buy someone a coffee, donate to a shelter, send a card, visit a shut-in. Be creative and ask God what He would like you to do.

Journal your experience below.

WITH YOUR FAMILY

MEMORY VERSE:

“See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted.”
Isaiah 52:13




ACTIVITY:

This week choose one symbol which reminds you of Jesus, i.e. a penny, a nail, a pebble, a feather. Each time you see that object, intentionally stop and give God thanks for the sacrifice of His Son Jesus.
Keep track of the number of times each day you offer this gratitude to God in the space below.

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