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INTRO
Today is Palm Sunday. Jesus is entering Jerusalem. The first day of His passion week.
As we consider Palm Sunday we usually think about the reaction of the people. (Palm branches and praising Him) and of the Pharisees (Luke 19:39) doubting.
Here a few months before we see Jesus In the midst of teaching, he heals woman on the Sabbath.
These two events have similar responses to who He is. There is praise and there is rejection.
The Woman – v. 11
Her circumstances
Disabled, Desperate, Dependent
Bond by Satan, yet faithful and worshiping.
Her healing
Jesus knew the situation (as always). As He was teaching… he noticed the woman. (When Jesus entered the presences of Satan… it was over!)
v. 13 – And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.
She is freed and healed (immediately, completely)
She praises God (immediately)
The Ruler of the Synagogue – v. 14
He was so fixated on what day it was, that He missed the miracle.
Their man-made rules had darkened their hearts and mind to the truth.
The Sabbath commemorates (Old Covenant)
Rest from creation
Deliverance from Egypt (Bondage)
Jesus fulfills both. (New Covenant)
The crowd at the triumphal entry – vv. 37-38
Pilgrims from outside Judea
Locals from the area. Would have been part of the crowd when Lazarus was raised from the dead.
Palm branches – joy/celebration
They were proclaiming what we know to be true today.
The religious leaders – vv. 39-40
Rebuked the disciples. (today the world rebukes our faith)
You do not desire that praise. You are not who they say you are.
The What Now
May we be as the crowd praising His name.
May we be as the woman… in need of a touch from Christ.
Our burdens
May we come to Him, Trust Him, and leave praising God for Him.