the danger of wrong expectations

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The Danger of Wrong Expectations | FFC | 03.16.2008 1

The Danger of Wrong Expectations

This sermon was prepared and preached by Pastor Mike Rose at First Federated Church in Des Moines, Iowa, on

Sunday, March 16, 2008.

Copyright © 2008, First Federated Church

Matthew 21:1-11 - 1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of

Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and

immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.3 And

if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will

send them.”4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A

colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought

the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.8 And a very great multitude

spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the

road.9Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to

the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” 11So the

multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Conservative Bible scholars have differing views as to whether the events recorded in this passage took

place on Sunday or Monday. Either way, it was approximately one week prior to the resurrection of Jesus

from the dead.

Perhaps more important to today’s message is this: these events took place just three to four days prior to

Jesus’ arrest, “trial,” torture and crucifixion. Over the years, this event has become known as “The

Triumphal Entry,” and the day as “Palm Sunday,” although neither title is found in the Bible.

This morning, I what us to examine what took place on this day, to consider the aftermath, and finally

apply what we discover to present-day realities.

I. The First “Palm” Sunday

In the days leading up to Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, we find Him in at least 35 localities

performing miracles and teaching with power and authority that was unprecedented. All of this travel and

activity concluded with Jesus entering Jerusalem at the time of the Passover celebration.

Now, to understand where I’m ultimately going with this message, it’s important to be aware of the

political and social climate that existed in Jerusalem in those days. Jerusalem, known to the Jews as “The

City of David,” was under Roman occupation. They were governed by Roman politicians, judged by

Roman judges and policed by Roman soldiers. All of this domination was a great irritation to the Jews.

They saw themselves as the chosen people of God – by all rights they should be the ones in control of theworld!

So Jerusalem was a city looking for a Messiah (a Savior ). They were in great anticipation of the Promised

One who would be their King and deliver them from this evil oppression.

Now Jesus enters. Perhaps He is The Promised One. It’s easy to see how they could get this idea because

He regularly demonstrated power no ordinary man could.




Example: Just a few days prior, Jesus was with His friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. John 11 records

how Jesus, by His spoken words, raised Lazarus from the dead, four days after he had been wrapped in

burial clothes and was sealed in a tomb.

Then there’s “Blind Bartimaeus.” Mark 10 records that as Jesus came near, Bartimaeus shouted out,

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” And again, by the power of His word, Jesus brought healing

to this man.

Israel was ripe for a Deliverer. Many talked of insurrection and cast visions of a new kingdom. Jesus also

talked of a New Kingdom, and He seemed to have something other would-be “deliverers” did not have –

power! Power to heal the crippled. Power to make blind eyes see. Power to feed more than 5,000 with

one boy’s lunch. If anyone was the Promised One, surely this Jesus was He.

So this was the political and social climate of Jerusalem. Is it any wonder then that as this miracle worker,

authoritative teacher and fulfiller of scriptural prophecy came riding into town, the crowd began to

reverence Him like an arriving king?

Notice verse 8. It says the people took off garments and spread them in front of the donkey. Others cut

down branches from palm trees and laid them in the path as He entered the city (John 12:13). And as

Jesus entered the people cried out: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the

name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” John records that the crowd referred to Him as King.

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! King of Israel!” (John 12:13).

No wonder Bible commentators have labeled this passage “The Triumphal Entry.” This simple

carpenter from Nazareth was being proclaimed deliverer, conquer and king.

By the way, the word Hosanna, do you know what that means? Hosanna means save us – save us now!

Ironically, that’s what Jesus came to do. "For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”

(Matthew 18:11). But the “salvation” Jesus had in mind was much different than what the people had inmind.

And so we come to a critical turning point. With this celebrative scene before us, and the knowledge of

what happened just a few days later, I ask the question, “What happened?” Within four days, many of

these same people were demanding His execution. What happened?

II. The disaster that followed

Matthew 27:20-25, New Living Translation - 20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and other

leaders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to

death.21

So when the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release

to you?” the crowd shouted back their reply: “Barabbas!” 22“But if I release Barabbas,”Pilate asked them, “what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” And they all

shouted, “Crucify him!”23

“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But

the crowd only roared the louder, “Crucify him!”24

Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting

anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his

hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this man. The responsibility is

yours!”25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and

our children!”




How did we get from the crowd crying “ Hosanna – He is King of Israel ” to “Crucify Him” –- and

denying they proclaimed Him King? (John 19:19-22.)

It’s simple, really. Jesus and the crowd were not on the same sheet of music. Jesus’ definition of King,

Savior, Deliverer, was not the same as theirs.

What did the Jews want? They wanted an earthly king, who would conquer Rome and setup a new

empire. What was Jesus offering? A new Kingdom? YES! But, it’s full realization was yet future. He

came to offer Salvation? YES! But not from totalitarian governments, rather from the totalitarian rule of

sin. So when it became evident that Jesus had no intention of rising up and conquering Rome, the crowd

changed their mind about His rule over them.

What can we learn from this?

Application:

1. It’s dangerous to form an expectation of Jesus based on what we want, rather than aligning

ourselves with His expectations for us.

Israel’s expectations were based on their desire to be delivered from the oppression of the Romans, which

by the way, was a consequence of their past disobedience to God.

This same type of attitude continues in many parts of the Church. There are religious leaders and

movements who hype the name of Jesus, giving people wrong expectations of what Jesus wants to do in

their lives. They preach a pseudo-gospel that says if you follow Jesus you will:

• Never suffer sickness

• Never endure material want

• Everything will go your way

• As the best-selling author put it, “You Can Live Your Best Life Now”

And perhaps one of the most damaging things they teach is this: If these things aren’t true in your life,

then something is wrong with your faith. Like Israel of old, many of today’s “Christian ministries” are

singing from a different sheet of music than Jesus. They’re looking for Jesus to make their present

lives into what God says they will be when we are in His presence.

In His presence there is no poverty, pain, sadness, death, separation. We will walk on streets of gold, eat

from the Tree of Life and enjoy uninterrupted fellowship with Him forever. In this earthly life, however,

we wrestle with poverty, pain, sadness, death and separation – down here there are no streets of gold or

Tree of Life.

You say, “Pastor Mike, what’s your point!” If you come to Jesus looking for things that are for “there”

instead of “here” you are going to be quite disillusioned. And as for the teaching that if you don’t have

those things here, there’s something wrong with your faith, I ask:

• Didn’t the Apostles have great faith? Yet they suffered greatly and died as martyrs

• Didn’t the early Christians have great faith, Such faith that they gave their lives rather than renounce

Jesus? Yet many of them lost all material goods, even their families because of their faith in Him

• Aren’t there believers today who live in Islamic countries who have great faith? Yet they hide, risking

imprisonment and death to following the Savior

the danger of wrong expectations

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