Re: Sermon: The Triumphal Entry of the Servant King (Mark 11:1-11)

Life is not easy. Each day, we face a number of challenges, some more difficult than others. As these challenges build up, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with the numerous tasks and responsibilities we must complete. In the midst of the busyness of life, we often forget that God is in control and we are to cast our cares upon Him. In these times, we also tend to become so focused on ourselves and our circumstances that we fail to consider how we can selflessly serve others after the example of Christ. Reading the gospel has an amazing way of putting everything back into perspective.

I have greatly enjoyed our series in the Gospel of Mark. No matter how many times I read through the life of Jesus, it never gets old. As we studied Mark’s account of the Triumphal Entry this past Sunday, we saw how Jesus is the Sovereign King, with supernatural knowledge of every detail and nothing is out of his control. As we continued through the passage, we saw how Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, who came as a suffering servant. Let’s spend some time to review and reflect on these two points.

The Sovereign King

As we walked through Mark’s account of Jesus instructing the disciples to acquire the colt (Mk 11:1-6), at first glance these details didn’t appear too significant. Yet, as we considered this a little more, we came to the realization of how amazing these details were. As Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem, nothing was out of God’s control, every event and detail was in line with God’s perfect purpose and plan, even the mode of transportation and how it was to be acquired. Jesus demonstrated his supernatural knowledge of the colt: how quickly the disciples would find it, how it would be tied, how no one had ever sat on it, how the owner would give permission for the disciples to take it. In less than a week, Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, beaten, and then crucified, yet this was not a surprise to him either, he entered Jerusalem knowing full well what would happen to Him. In fact, he told the disciples many times during their journey to Jerusalem that this would happen to Him (Mk 8:31).

Life may seem out of control sometimes, trials too difficult, and it doesn’t seem like God is there or knows what He is doing, but He is there! And He is well aware of every single detail of your life, and He is using each situation for your good and His glory. As we understand this, we must learn to trust and depend on Him.

What are some areas where you are learning to trust in God? How can you grow in your faith and dependence on Him? Some ways that I have found helpful is to share these burdens with others and ask for prayer. In asking for prayer it is helpful to share how you would like them to pray for you. Instead of praying for a change in circumstance, pray that you would grow in faith in the midst of difficult circumstance, pray that you would have the right attitude and learn from the situation. Also, consider memorizing Bible verses such as Phil 4:4-8, Prov 3:5-6.

The Long-Awaited Messiah

During the Triumphal Entry, the great crowd of people was so excited that their Messiah had finally arrived. They had seen and heard of Jesus’ miracles and teachings. He taught with authority, healed the sick, fed thousands, and even raised a man from the dead. If anyone could deliver the people of Israel from the captivity of the Romans, this was their man. Yet, Jesus did not come on a mighty horse to reign, instead He came humbly on a donkey to die. He came not to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom for many (Mk 10:45).

As Christians, we take great joy in our salvation and seek to love as Jesus loved, but do we seek to serve as Jesus served? Is your life characterized by a heart of service? Do you view yourself as master of your home or a servant in your home? Do you come because of what you can get out of it and how others can meet your needs, or do you come looking for opportunities to serve and care for others as you seek to serve Christ? In your service, do you demonstrate a servant’s heart or are you doing it begrudgingly or expecting something in return?

Most of us would like to think we have a servant’s heart, just like Jesus, but do we? One of my professors in seminary shared some great insight on service that I will never forget. The true test of how much of a servant’s heart you have is how you respond when you are treated like a servant. It is easy to have a “servant’s heart” when you are doing something you enjoy and others recognize and appreciate you, but what about when much sacrifice is required and people take you for granted or even criticize you in your service?

“Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45