Palm Sunday: The Final Love Letter // Ryan Ferrer // Easter At Grace City (Part 1)

SERIES: Easter At Grace City
TEXT: Matthew 21:1–11
MESSAGE: “Palm Sunday: The Final Love Letter”

“When I think of you, I’m reminded of the beautiful plains of Iowa. The distance between us is breaking my spirit. Falling in love with you was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Nothing matters to me but you, and every day I’m alive, I’m aware of this. I loved you the day I met you. I loved you today, and I will love you the rest of my life…” — Green Book, Movie Tony Lip’s letter

Question: What do you do when the distance is not miles but sin?

“Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household.” — Exodus 12:3

“and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. 7 “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.” — Exodus 12:6-7

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” — Hebrews 10:1-4

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” — John 1:29

1. Jesus Approaches Jerusalem Intentionally: The Lamb Presented (v. 1–3)

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.” — John 12:1

If Jesus is the Author, Lazarus is the ink that refused to dry.

“When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.” — John 12:9

2. Prophecy Fulfilled: The King Revealed (v. 4–5)

“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.” — John 12:12

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” — Zechariah 9:9

“Jesus will either be the King you want or the King you need, but rarely both at the same time.” – Tim Keller

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” — Matthew 16:24

Question: Will we trust the Author when He writes a story that looks different than the one we planned?

3. Two Stories, One Page: The Crowd Responds with Misunderstood Praise (v. 6–9)

“Hoshiah-na Barukh haba b’sheim Adonay Melekh Yisrael” (Save please! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, King of Israel.)” — Psalm 118:25-26

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”— Galatians 1:10

“God is too good to be unkind, and He is to wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” — Charles Spurgeon

“God works together all things into good; it really doesn’t say that he makes bad things good. It means he brings good things out of the bad.” It’s overly simplistic to claim, “every cloud has a silver lining” or that every hardship is “a blessing in disguise.” Such views overlook real pain, like the grief of losing a loved one or even the crowd crying out Hosanna!” — Tim Keller

“Christianity confronts suffering honestly; it doesn’t pretend it’s good. Ultimately, bad things remain bad, but through Christ, their final impact will be turned to good, ending evil and suffering without ending us.” — Tim Keller

Question: Are we following Jesus for the “edits” He can make to our lives, or are we following Him for the Author He is? Are we in love with the benefits of the King, or are we in love with the King Himself?

4. Jesus Continues Knowing the Cross Ahead

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” — John 10:17-18

5. The City Reacts: The Defining Question & Destination (v. 10–11)

6. The Full Meaning Revealed (Passover Pattern)

Nisan 10 → Lamb presented
Nisan 11–13 → Lamb Examined
Nisan 14 → Lamb Crucified Isaiah 53:5
Nisan 15 → Passover Lamb (meal)
Nisan 16 → Risen Lamb 1 Cor 15:20

Conclusion

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” —Revelations 19:11-16

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

God’s “love letter” (Word) is not simple a message to be admired; it is the proclamation of the Gospel
The Lamb of God is not just a figure to study or example to follow; He is the Savior to trust. Faith is not in your effort but in His grace alone.
True worship is more than words or tradition; it is complete surrender in
response to the Gospel

Add Your Own Notes Here

Enter email address and click Send Notes button