THE KING IS COMING!

Pastor Leon Aguilera

1. The Readiness (Matthew 21:1-7)

Do you have a tendency to worry about things before they happen? Have you found that much of what we worry about, we do not need to worry about? Our Lord knew about the donkey and her colt that He would need for His triumphant entry into Jerusalem for the Passover. He knows who had them and where to find them. What confidence and composure our Lord possesses, even in the last week of His life on earth! He told two of his disciples that if anyone asks what you want with the donkeys, just tell him, “…The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them” (Matthew 21:3). The Lord knows what you are experiencing. He knows the path we should take, so we don’t have to worry about the details or how things will work out when we get there. When encouraging Israel to go to the Promised Land and possess their possessions, we discover this command: “Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them. The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you…” (Deuteronomy 1:29a; 30b). Not only does the Lord go before us, the Bible says, “For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward” (Isaiah 52:12). “Rereward” is an old Anglo-Norman expression that means “rear guard.” To use more modern terms, the Lord “has your back.” The Lord goes before us, He has our back and we see that He also is prepared to catch us when we fall: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee…” (Deut. 33:27a). We can also be assured that everything over our head is under His feet. “I will cry unto God Most High; unto God that performeth all things for me” (Psalm 57:2). He is the Most High God far above all our problems and all of our life. In summary, God is in front of us, behind us, beneath us and below us.

The Lord was preparing things ahead of time, fulfilling prophecy on time and in His way. “All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying….”(Matthew 21:4) And what was spoken by the prophet? “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zechariah 9:9). Even the fact that the Lord was able to ride a colt that had never been broken was a small act of God’s mighty providential hand!

2. The Ride (Matthew 21:8-11; Mark 11:8-11; John 12:12,13)

Our Lord mounts the donkey and begins the triumphant entry into Jerusalem from Bethphage, a town on the Mount of Olives. A donkey or mule was the royal transportation of the mighty kings of Israel. When David was arranging the coronation of Solomon, the Bible records, “The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule” (I Kings 1:33).

This is the fulfillment of Psalm 118:22-29. As a matter of fact, these are the words you hear on the first Palm Sunday, prophesied 1,000 years before: “Save now (Hosanna) I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD” (Psalm 118:25, 26).

There was a unique Jewish custom of the usage of the palm branches. These were not the freshly broken branches that were layered in the path of our Lord for the donkey to ride over along with the people’s garments. These palm branches had been left over from the Feast of the Tabernacles. When first cut, these branches were green and tight, but by now they had dried and opened up. As the Jewish people prepared for Passover, they would get their houses immaculately clean and a main cleaning tool of choice was the dried branch left from the Feast of the Tabernacles. They would use these branches like brooms to sweep their houses clean. As they raised these palms to our Lord, they were in essence saying, “Lord, clean up Your house and set up Your kingdom on earth!” This was no small crowd. It was estimated by one source that five million people gathered for the Passover for this celebration. This is why the enemies of Christ were getting nervous, “The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (John 12:19).

3. The Rejoicing (Luke 19:36-44)

Although all three Gospels mention this event, Luke adds an interesting twist. The cry of “Hosanna” was a cry for the Lord to “save now.” The Pharisees were desirous of Jesus to calm the people down. Luke 19:29, they asked the Lord to rebuke His disciples. Then the Lord said, “…I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out” (Luke 19:30b). What a statement! Many years ago, I came across some remarkable scientific speculations. It is believed by some scholars that sound waves, much like water waves travel out from the point of initiation. A rock thrown into water causes the water to ripple outwards and then fades and finally disappears. Many have believed the same thing happens basically in the air currents. A sound is made; it ripples outward then fades and finally is silenced. Some scientists are believing now that sound may be trapped in solid objects near where the sounds have been made. One scientist believes that one day we shall be able to take the rocks from Gettysburg and have a method that releases the voice of Abraham Lincoln.

Jesus will get praise, either voluntarily from us or He will pull it out from the very rocks beneath us. I have often wondered what would have happened if praise had not been given forth to Christ? Perhaps the voice of Zechariah and the Psalmist would have been pulled from the very rocks declaring Jesus Christ is Lord!

4. The Return (Revelation 19:11)

The first time our Lord came, He rode upon a donkey, not only symbolizing royalty, but also symbolizing peace. He came as the Prince of Peace to give peace to whosoever believes in Him. When Christ returns to earth in glory, Revelation 19:11 tells us, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was the announcement to all present and to all who would come after this event that He is the Savior of the world. If you reject Jesus as your Savior, you must face Him as your judge. Jesus loves you and you are the reason He came to Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday and stayed long enough to redeem us through His death, burial and resurrection.a

GRACE-FILLED COMMUNICATION

by: Rev. Leon Aguilera   

In Colossians 4:2-6 we are given the New Testament way to communicate to God and to man. We ought not to be motivated by the mere positive thinking of men, but rather by the great grace and the great power of God. Let’s examine three grace-filled ways of communication that launch the mighty power of God.

I. Praying Grace

Colossians 4:2,3: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”

A.     Unceasing in Prayer: “Continue in prayer…”

“Continue” comes to us from the Greek word “proskartereo” meaning to be courageously persistent, in other words hold fast and not let go. This calls to mind I Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.” The phrase “without ceasing” comes to us from the Greek word “adialeiptos” which means uninterruptedly, i.e. without omission.

B.     Unrelenting in Prayer: “…and watch in the same…”

The Lord Jesus used this same word “watch” when Matthew records, “And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40, 41). This word “watch” is translated from the Greek word “gregoreuoto” which means to keep awake, i.e. watch with vigilance.

C.     Unabashed in Prayer: “…with thanksgiving…”

A thankful person has abandoned egotism. He is caught up with who God is and what He is all about. A thankful person is overwhelmed with the goodness and grace of God. A key to continuing in prayer is to stay constant in thankfulness.

Through Christ we have someone to thank for everything. G.K. Chesterton said, “The worst moment for an atheist is when he feels a profound sense of gratitude and has no one to thank.” We have our Lord and Savior to thank (I Thessalonians 5:18)! How profitable it is when we give Him praise. Doubts flee, discouragement evaporates and the Devil loses when we become unabashed in our thankfulness.

D.    Unambiguous in Prayer: “…Withal praying also for us...”

Paul is clear and definite in his directive to pray for him. It is a humbling but great place to be when we recognize our dependence upon our Lord and the need of His children to pray for us. Paul said, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me…”(Ephesians 6:18, 19a). As Paul listed the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:13-18, he listed loins girt (belt) with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit (the Bible). Although “greaves” is not mentioned directly, this is what is alluded to in the beginning of Ephesians 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer….” Greaves were a protection for the knees and shins. Protected knees will give us power to stand in battle. Paul tells us he could not stand in battle without prayer from God’s people!

E.     Unassailable in Prayer: “…that God would open unto us a door of utterance…”

Paul referred to these opportunities as “open doors” such as found in I Corinthians 16:9 and Revelation 3:8.

F.     Unconquerable in Prayer: “…to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”

The apostle’s imprisonment did not restrict the Gospel from being preached or people being reached. This is perfectly illustrated in Philippians 1:12 and 13.

II. Preaching Grace

Colossians 4:4,5: “That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”

A.    A Clear Proclamation: “That I may make it manifest…”

Preachers, from the days of the apostles until now, must be consumed with making the Gospel known and the Word of God understood. We need to see it big but keep it simple.

B.    A Clarion Call: “…as I ought to speak.”

This preacher could not escape his commission! He said, “…yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (I Corinthians 9:16).

C.    A Calculated Opportunity: “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”

We should be mindful of how our witness comes across to those outside the faith. We must be wise and take advantage of every opportunity God gives us.

III. Pleasing Grace

Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

A.     Favorable Articulation: “Let your speech be alway with grace…”

We need to allow the grace of God given to us in salvation be our modus operandi in communication to others.

B.     Flavorful Enunciation: “…seasoned with salt”

Salt preserves, salt heals, salt enhances flavor and cuts the bitter and salt makes us thirsty. Jesus said, “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another” (Mark 9:50).

C.     Forthright Verbalization: “…that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Peter commands us, “…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15). There are two great characteristics of the early church mentioned in Acts 4:33 that we should be challenged to exemplify: “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). The two characteristics are “great power” and “great grace!”

SAVING AND MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS (continued)

by: Rev. Leon Aguilera 

Last week our discussion was on relationships.  We know relationships are important. They are important to God and should be to us as well. God doesn’t want the church, families, or friendships that He has ordained be torn apart. The first few things that we brought out on regarding saving and maintaining relationships are:

1. Remind yourselves you are not in competition.

2. Consider the fact that you may be wrong.

3. Be sorry, really sorry for the wrong you have done.

4. Take accountability for any wrong you have done.

Let’s continue.

5. Make restoration if required.

“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8). It may cost you something to be right with God and each other, but it is well worth the price.

6. Take the initiative to restore the relationship.

Romans 12:10 tells us to “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” “Preferring” is from the Greek word: “proegeomai” which means to lead the way for others, i.e. show deference, to go before another as an example of humble submission. In counseling I sometimes hear people say, “I’m not the bad guy here.” And many times the defensive person is actually much more in the right than the other person. But think of this: if you are right and the other person was wicked enough to do you wrong, what makes you think they will arise more quickly from their “wicked state” and initiate reconciliation? Reconciliation is much more likely to take place if the more spiritual one takes the initiative. You must “prefer,” in other words, lead the way for others.

7. Forgive the one who offended you of all they have done.

David said in Psalm 25:18b, “…forgive all my sins.” Why would we expect God to forgive us of “all” our sins, and not be just as willing to forgive others who have sinned against us of “all” their sins? Partial forgiveness will never do, we must forgive all to have relief and to give relief. It may be hard, but it is the right thing to do. We are so tempted to put the person on probation. You may argue, well, I don’t want to be hurt again, but I say to you, take the risk. Love is a risk! The Lord took the greatest risk for you and me when He went to the cross and died the death that we all deserved. Listen to the magnanimous heart of Jesus and may we emulate this attitude, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:47, 48).

8. Regain relationship and don’t live in shame or blame.

The prodigal son’s father, in attempting to get the elder son to accept his brother’s repentance (which means to accept his brother himself), pleads, “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:32). The father is saying let the past be done away with your brother’s repented sins and let us not let him live in shame! This is a new day and you have a new brother. On the other hand, let us not live in the blame game. May we say with the Psalmist, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (Psalm 51:12). May we take to heart the words the old hymn, “Nothing between my soul and my Savior, So that His blessed face may be seen; Nothing preventing the least of His favor; Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.” Let us remove anything between our Lord and each other. Let God save and let Him help you maintain life’s relationships.