PALM SUNDAY THROUGH THE PSALMIST’S SONG – Psalm 24
Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on April 14, 2019 under 2019 |
Bethany Bible Church Palm Sunday Message; April 14, 2019 from Psalm 24
Theme: There are five crucial principles of ‘escape’ to remember in times of temptation.
(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).
There’s a wonderful relationship between Psalms 22, 23 and 24. All of them were written by King David. And all of them have our Lord Jesus—David’s royal descendent—as their main theme.
Psalm 22 tells us about Jesus’ role as our suffering Savior. Psalm 23—a psalm that you probably already know very well—tells us about Jesus’ role as our compassionate Shepherd. And Psalm 24 tells us about Jesus’ role as our glorious King. They all three go together to give us a broad picture of our Lord. As someone has once put it well, Psalm 22 is the psalm of the cross, Psalm 23 is the psalm of the crook, and Psalm 24 is the psalm of the crown.
This morning, I ask that we look together at Psalm 24—the psalm that tells us about our Lord’s role as our mighty King. It was a psalm that David probably wrote for a special occasion—possibly to celebrate his own entry into Jerusalem to reign as king; or possibly to celebrate the time when he brought the Ark of the Covenant into the city as its resting place. But whatever the occasion was, it’s obvious that the Holy Spirit was leading David to look ahead confidently to the reign of his own royal Descendent—the Lord Jesus; and to the time when Jesus would enter the city in glory.
The Spirit guided David to write these words:
The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive blessing from the LORD,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. SelahLift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah (Psalm 24).
These are great words for us to consider on Palm Sunday—on the day when we commemorate our Lord’s first entry into the city of Jerusalem to die for us on the cross.
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Whenever I read about the entry into the city that our Lord made long ago, I can’t help but think of the times I have visited Jerusalem and looked at it from the Mount of Olives. I have been in that spot twice. I wish you could feel the wonder I felt as I stood there—and that you could see it as I saw it. I truly believe it is the most significant and remarkable place on earth.
On my last trip there, I had the privilege of joining together with a group of fellow travelers; and we read from the Scriptures. As we stood on the Mount of Olives—with the city of Jerusalem spread out before us—we could look down the hill at the Kidron Valley and see the place where our Lord would have journeyed across. Then on the other side of the valley, we could see the Eastern Gate of the temple area of the city where He would have entered.
And as we stood at that spot, I asked the group to look up to the sky, then look across to the city, and then to look down to their feet. “What an amazing place this is,” I told them. And then, I said something like this: “It was to some particular spot somewhere on this mountain—perhaps very near to where we are standing—that the resurrected Lord Jesus came to meet His disciples. And as He spoke to them, He bodily ascended above where we now stand—into the clouds. And we’re told in the Bible that it will be to this same mountain—perhaps very close to where we are standing—that He will one day bodily return. His feet will stand again upon this very Mount of Olives; and in glory and power, He will enter the Eastern Gate of the city once more. From there—in the city that we can see ahead of us—He will rule over the world for the rest of its existence. What an amazing spot this is! It’s not an exaggeration at all to say that this is the most remarkable spot on the planet!” We stood together in silent thought for a while; and then prayed that that glorious day would come soon. It truly is the hope for this world; isn’t it?
Now; when Jesus came into the city that first time, the crowds shouted and celebrated. But it didn’t last long. He didn’t come that first time to take up His rule; but rather to give His life for us on the cross. In a short time, the crowds began shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” But He came that first time in order to pay the debt for our sins; so that His redeemed people would come with Him in the glory of His reign at His second return to the city.
And I believe that King David was writing about that second return in this morning’s psalm. In it, he gives us a picture of the glory of our Lord’s next ‘triumphant entry’ into the city. Let’s explore it together; and let’s relish the pictures it gives us of our Lord’s glorious return to the city to rule as King of kings and Lord of lords.
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First, consider how it teaches us about …
1. HIS RIGHT TO ENTER.
In verse 1, David writes, “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” Do you notice how the word ‘LORD’ is in all capital letters? That’s the translator’s way of showing you that this is speaking of the most sacred name of God—YAHWEY—the name of the covenant keeping God of Israel. And David is affirming that all the world, and all the people who dwell upon it, are His possession.
And do you know that that’s true? It’s true not only of all the material substance of this earth, but also of all people, and all nations, and all governments, and of all institutions that exist and operate upon it. Our Lord holds exclusive ‘Creator rights’ over all of it. Even the most committed atheist who denies God’s existence is someone that, nevertheless, He holds absolute ‘Creator rights’ over. And even the most secularized government or institution on this earth—though it may seek to exclude Him or ignore Him—is still, nevertheless His and operates upon His world. As one theologian has put it, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”
And when I say that He holds ‘Creator rights’ over this world, I am simply reflecting what David said in verse 2. Speaking of this world, David wrote, “For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.” This most likely has reference to Genesis 1:9; where we’re told that God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear …” That was the origin of the habitation upon which humankind dwells. God created the habitable world of mankind and all living things—and all of the rest of His work upon this earth went on from there. So truly, there isn’t anything about which human beings can ever say, “This isn’t Yours, God. This is ours!” No; even the very lips of human beings, that would dare to speak such a thing, belong to Him.
And our Lord Jesus, who came into the city of Jerusalem that first time, is that very same Creator God—walking upon the earth in human flesh. In the mystery of the Trinity, He is Creator along with His Father. He strode upon this earth, and yet made it Himself. As the apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 1:16-17—speaking of the Lord Jesus;
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist (Colossians 1:16-17).
And so; our Lord Jesus rode into the city that first time to die on the cross for us as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. But He did so as the Creator of all! And He will one day enter once again into the city of Jerusalem; and Jerusalem will become the seat of all power and authority over the whole world. Jesus Himself will then sit upon the throne and rule over all; because it is His absolute, indisputable right to do so. He is the Creator of all; and He therefore has exclusive Creator-rights over all that is.
And I suspect that when that happens, we will say something like what it says Revelation 5:12;
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12).
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Now; that’s His right to enter the city and sit upon the seat of power and authority. But in what way will He exercise that right? What will He be like when He enters that city the second time? David goes on to speak of …
2. HIS CHARACTER UPON ENTRY.
In verse 3, David asked, “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?” The “hill of the Lord” is Jerusalem—and specifically, the place of David’s rule. This speaks of the place of governmental authority. And “His holy place” speaks of the place of worship. The temple was not yet built at the time that David wrote these words; but the Ark of the Covenant was there, and the worship of God was centered upon that hill in Jerusalem. So; this speaks of the center of both civil and spiritual authority. And David asks the rhetorical question, “Who may ascend to that hill—the hill of the Lord—and rule there? Or who may stand in that holy place of the worship of God? Who has a right to approach God in this place or to take the position of authority in it?
And David then answered his question in verse 4, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart …” Only a holy person can do this. Our God is a God who sees all things about someone. He sees the outside and the inside. And He looks to see hands that are not only clean of sin, but a heart that is pure in His sight. He looks for a whole sanctification—a complete holiness inside and out. Whoever approaches Him must be holy through and through.
And what’s more, David says that such a person must be someone “Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, or sworn deceitfully.” Some translations say that such a person must not have lifted up that which is ‘false’. An idol certainly is a false thing. To lift up one’s hand to a false god means that someone would also be willing to take up a false promise in their mouths. And our God only lets someone approach Him who has a heart that is reverent toward Him—one that does not hate Him, or wish for Him to be different in His holy character than He is—someone who has a heart of reverence toward truth, because He is a God of truth.
These words sound very much like what David wrote in Psalm 15; where he said;
LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart;
He who does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the Lord;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved (Psalm 15:1-5).
Now, dear brothers and sisters; I suspect you are like me. When I read those words of David, I realize that I am not worthy to draw near to God’s holy hill or stand in His holy presence. I am a sinner. I have lifted my hand to that which is false many times; and have sworn deceitfully. I have not had either clean hands or a pure heart before Him. As it says in Malachi 3:2, “who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?” I am guilty! And so are you.
But Jesus rode into the city that first time in order to pay the debt for our sins, so that we sinners can now freely draw near to God. I praise God that Jesus came that first time to die on the cross for us—in order to show mercy to us. And now, whenever someone confesses their sin to the Father and places their trust in the cross of His Son Jesus—as David says in verse 5 of this psalm—“He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” You and I do not ‘earn’ the right to approach God. We cannot! But we receive righteousness in His sight as a gift of His grace through faith in Jesus’ cross.
David goes on to say in verse 6, “This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face.” That verse is translated in a variety of different ways in different versions of the Bible. But what is interesting to me is that it speaks of Jacob. Jacob was the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. But he was also a sinner. His name means “Supplanter” or “Heel-Grabber”. But nevertheless, he was the one that took hold of God and said, “I will not let you go unless You bless me!” And God did bless him! He changed his name to ‘Israel’—which means “prince with God”; because God said, “you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Genesis 32:28). And that’s the story for all of us sinners who trust in the cross of Jesus. We are, as it were, the generation of Jacob. We are sinners who seek God’s favor by faith; and because of the cross, God declares us righteous. We can draw near to Him freely.
But these words of King David describe more than what it takes to be able to approach a holy God. They describe the very character of Jesus Himself. He embraced full humanity to Himself; and yet had no sin of His own. He alone has truly clean hands and a truly pure heart. Of Him alone can it truthfully be said that He never took up a false thing or spoke a deceitful word. He alone was without sin. And because He was without sin, He could be our Savior. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way in Hebrews 2:17-18;
Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:17-18).
He is the only one who has the righteousness to enter in and take up the seat in Jerusalem and rule. And so, He alone can serve as our Priest/King forever!
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Now; David has shown us Jesus’ right to enter; and also His righteousness upon entry. And there’s one more thing he shows us about Jesus; and that is …
3. HIS REIGN AFTER ENTERING.
In verse 7, David wrote; “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.” I believe that David is exercising his poetic talents in saying this. He is personifying the gates and doors to the city. They may have been downcast and sorrowful; but now they can lift up their heads and be opened with joy. They are even declared to be ‘everlasting’ doors; because the King is coming! He will reign forever! And in verse 8, David asks, “Who is this King of glory?” And he answers; “The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.”
You know; we would be making a big mistake if we thought the second coming of our Lord will be peaceful and joyful for everyone. It will not be. The Bible teaches us that the world will be under the sway of the devil when our Lord returns. The Antichrist will have temporary rule over the nations; and he will send the armies of the world out against King Jesus. In Zechariah 14:3-4, we’re told;
Then the LORD will go forth
And fight against those nations,
As He fights in the day of battle.
And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east (Zechariah 14:3-4a).
He comes to fight. So, no—the return of our Lord to this earth will not be welcomed by the ungodly of this world. It will not be peaceful. Far from it! The nations of this earth will turn their guns upon Him! But He will be victorious; because as King David said, King Jesus is “The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.” And then, as Zechariah 14:9 says,
And the LORD shall be King over all the earth.
In that day it shall be—
“The LORD is one” (Zechariah 14:9).
And perhaps to bring emphasis to it all, King David sang this same thing again. In verse 9, he wrote; “Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.” And once again, in verse 10, he asks, “Who is this King of glory?” And once again, he gives the answer to his own question. And this time, his answer is, “The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.”
The word “hosts” can mean an army. And indeed, the Bible tells us that Jesus will return with an army of mighty angels—ready for battle. But this word can also refer to a vast number of people. And who is this vast number of people that comes with Him? Who constitutes this “host” that join with Him in His return? Dear redeemed brothers and sisters; it’s us! In Revelation 19—in that wonderful passage that tells us of His return, we read these words:
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:11-16).
Do you see how, in that passage, we’re told about the armies in heaven that follow Him?—clothed in fine linen, white and clean? That’s the Bride of Christ—the saints who, as it tells us in Revelation 19:8, are “granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” That’s speaking of us who are in Christ! As it says in Revelation 20:4;
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4).
This, I believe, describes the ‘hosts’ that King David speaks of when he writes that our King Jesus takes up His reign as “The LORD of hosts”.
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Now; when we celebrate Palm Sunday, we tend to celebrate that first ride into the city. And we should celebrate it. It is the story of our Redemption. Jesus came that first time to die for us on the cross. But David’s song reminds us that there is a second ‘triumphant entry’ yet to come. The first triumphant entry into the city was the one that makes the glories of the second entry even more triumphant.
I hope that you have placed your faith in what Jesus has done for us on the cross. I hope that you truly celebrate the sacrifice He made for us. Because if you do—like David—you will have every reason to sing the glories of our King’s future reign.
EA
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