Luke 30

Introduction

Our text today ends Luke’s account of Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem. This journey ends with a variety of emotions—cheers, jeers, and tears. In our study time we will not only look at these emotions but at our response to the Jesus who brings about these emotions.

The Road

The road from Jericho to Jerusalem is not an easy road to travel. From Jerusalem to Jericho was a downhill trek. From Jericho to Jerusalem was uphill—all the way. It is approximately a 15 mile journey. Jericho is almost 1000 feet below sea level. Jerusalem is about 2500 feet above sea level. Memphis is about 350 feet above sea level. It would take several hours to walk this distance. According to John 12, Jesus makes the journey to Bethany and spends the night with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. It is Passover time. Jerusalem is filling up with Jewish people coming to celebrate one of the major feasts in the Jewish calendar.

Jesus will make the final part of the journey riding on a colt of a donkey. The crowds coming in for the Passover are all around Jerusalem. Bethany and Bethphage would have been popular places to stay. Jesus begins his last week before the Crucifixion. His disciples throw their outer cloaks on top of the colt. And the people are anticipating great things. Again John’s gospel tells us that the people have been wondering if Jesus would come to Jerusalem for the Passover. They know that threats have been already sent out. But there will be no secret entry into Jerusalem.

The crowd lays out their own outer garments. We know from other texts that there are palm leaves being laid out as well. And in anticipation for what they think is going to happen in Jerusalem, the people begin singing one of the Psalms. It comes from Psalm 118 and Luke quotes verse 26. This was quoted when a great military victory occurred. This helps us to see what the expectations are. The people expect Jesus to be their military leader. Verses 25-27 says: “O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who come in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.” This is the reason for the palm branches.

This is not spontaneous. It is planned. The branches had been cut. The words of the psalmist rehearsed. The people have been waiting for deliverance. They anticipate that Jesus is going to lead them to the altar. Jerusalem is going to overthrow the iron hand of Rome. So a procession is formed. All the way into Jerusalem the people praise Jesus. The cheers deafen.

Luke tells us that the procession is interrupted by some Pharisees. They do not see Jesus as the great deliverer. They want him to force the people to stop their chanting and the procession. Jesus announces a great truth—even the inanimate objects of creation knows what is going on. The jeers join in.

Jesus add his tears to the procession. As one approaches Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives one is given a panoramic view of Jerusalem. As Jesus captures that view, he begins to weep for Jerusalem. He knows what is coming. We have seen the pictures from ten years ago. That fateful day when hijacked airplanes flew into the twin towers in NY. We can see the before and after pictures. We can see the destruction. No one saw it that morning but we know it now. Jesus and the crowd stand at the precipice of the Mount of Olives. Jerusalem in its splendor can be seen. The temple is clearly visible. And Jesus can also see what is coming. The destruction of this city; the temple; a way of life. And he weeps.

Two Lessons

The first lesson is that the procession is a charade. The people are intense. They are waiting for the military campaign to begin. But it is a charade. The very people who cheer for him will in a few days reject him. These same people will ask for his crucifixion.

The people cheered. They sang the song of Psalm 118. But they did not sing the full song. They sang the part that they wanted to sing. They overlooked verse 22: “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

We can come into this room and praise Jesus. Is it a charade? I have no doubt that the crowd welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem were serious. But their expectations were not real. Same thing can happen to us. We think walking with Jesus will keep us from suffering. We think walking with Jesus will bring victory. We think walking with Jesus means we can live life the way we want to. We expect God to forgive. Then our praise is a charade.

The second lesson is found when Jesus sees Jerusalem. There is no smile for Jesus. We see his tears because he knows that the victory to come is not what is expected or wanted. The people want a military campaign. They will get it. Rome will come and destroy them. There is nothing exciting for Jesus. There is nothing to smile about. His death will bring deliverance. But in a generation thousands will die at the hand of Rome because of their rejection. The one who loses is the one who rejects Jesus. Rejection brings judgment.

Luke follows this section with Jesus’ first action in the temple. The cleansing of the temple for Luke connects with the coming judgment. The people have already rejected God. They are allowing God’s house to be used for commerce. The place to draw near is being set aside.

Jesus is through asking for people to follow. He is in Jerusalem to pronounce judgment. The religious leaders think they have the upper hand because they are going to pronounce judgment on Jesus. But their decision will not bring an end. It will bring a beginning.

So what will you do with Jesus? To reject is to face judgment.

Follow Jesus

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