Sermon: How Shall We Live?

Scripture Text: Matthew 21:1-11

Quotes for Reflection

Thomas Merton, Baptized by Darkness
Now He is sent. He has come. He has descended into the far end of night, gathered our Fathers, the Patriarchs and Prophets, to Himself in Limbo. Now we will all be manifest. We will see one another with white garments, with palm branches in our hands. The darkness is like a font from which we shall ascend washed and illumined, to see one another, no longer separate, but one in the Risen Christ.

N.T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone
The people wanted a prophet, but this prophet would tell them that their city was under God’s imminent judgment. They wanted a Messiah, but this one was going to be enthroned on a pagan cross. They wanted to be rescued from evil and oppression, but Jesus was going to rescue them from evil in its full depths, not just the surface evil of Roman occupation and the exploitation by the rich. Precisely because Jesus says ‘yes’ to their desires at the deepest level, he will have to say ‘no’ or ‘wait’ to the desires they are conscious of, and expressed.

C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
Obedience is the road to freedom, humility the road to pleasure, unity the road to personality.

Application Questions

1. How can the grace of the gospel free you to obey in faith rather than responding in fear or pride?

2. What captures your deepest affection and awe right now—and how might the beauty of Christ in the gospel reshape your posture into one of true worship?

3. Where might you have an opportunity this week to help someone see more clearly who Jesus is and what it means to live in Him?