Receiving Jesus: Coming Home

Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Barry’s Message, April 2, 2023 Luke 19:28-48
Receiving Jesus: Coming Home

Introduction (19:28-34):

...[Jesus] went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. ...he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here...” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them...

As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He gives His disciples an invitation to participate in His triumphal entry, and that invitation entails obedience. He also invites those of us who believe in Him today to follow Him in obedience and participate in His continuing to reveal Himself through the gospel.

Lord, please help us to walk faithfully with You and help others also to come to know You!

1. Receiving the Savior-King: Jesus’ presence divides those who recognize Him as the King and those who don’t. (19:35-40)

   As he was drawing near...the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

   The crowd breaks out in the song of Psalm 118 which celebrates the coming King and prays for Him to save. “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest” refers to the Lord’s transcendence as seen in Psalm 148:1.

   But the elite reject Him as King and call on Him to rebuke His disciples. Jesus’ response is that if the crowd were silent, the very stones would cry out praise to the King.

   Lord, please help us to be those who sing and rejoice in You as King and call on You for salvation.

2. Receiving the Prince of Peace: Jesus’ presence calls for Jerusalem to receive His peace. (19:41-44)

   And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! ...For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will ... tear you down to the ground...because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

   Jesus weeps because He longs for the city to receive Him and His peace, but because it will reject Him, Jerusalem will be judged.

   Lord, thank You for coming to bring us peace! Please help us always to welcome Your presence and live in Your peace.

3. Receiving the Purifier: Jesus’ presence invites everyone into His house. (19:45-48)

   And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying...“It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”And he was teaching daily in the temple...

   Jesus cleansed the temple and taught there daily to those who would listen. He came to lay down His life in order for sinners to find their way to God and to His love, to come home to Him.

   Lord, help us always to listen to You and abide in Your love, together with all who will receive You.