Palm Sunday Sermon – A Colt, a Command, and a Cleansing (Mark 11)

Introduction to Sermon Outline:

Draw a comparison between a royal wedding and Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem as King on Palm Sunday. What are the similarities you see? What are the differences?

This sermon outline is based around 3 events that are connected to the Palm Sunday story. 

1. Palm Sunday is symbolized by a colt (Mark 11:1-10)

*Jesus sent two disciples to a nearby village where they would find a colt that no man had ridden. (verse 1-2)

* They were to untie the colt and bring it to Jesus. If anyone were to ask what they were doing, they were to say that the Lord needed it and would return it shortly. (verse 2-6). 

*It is noteworthy that Jesus was going to return the colt to its owner (verse 3). 

* Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt in the midst of praise (verse 7-10), fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy confirming that He was Messiah and King. This is what the prophet Zechariah said.

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)

* Highlight that Jesus’ kingship began with humility and sacrifice

Application from point 1 : 

 This Palm Sunday is Jesus the king of your entire life? If not, allow Him to be so.

Illustration: Share the moment when Jesus became your Savior.

2. Palm Sunday is symbolized by a command (Mark 11:12-14, 20-26)

* After staying overnight in Bethany, Jesus and His disciples left for Jerusalem the following morning. (verse 11)

* On the way, Jesus became hungry. He saw a fig tree and walked towards it looking for food. Unfortunately it had no fruit, but only leaves. (verse 11-13)

* Jesus rebuked the tree with a command as follows – “Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it” (Mark 11:14).

* Note that Jesus’ disciples heard what He commanded. Peter was however surprised when he saw the tree withered from its roots the following morning. (verse 20-21).

Application from point 2 : 

Let’s look at two applications from this part of the story.

1. It seems clear that Jesus was illustrating a lesson on mountain moving faith to the disciples through this experience. He said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).

Illustration: I remember the time I was in hospital with a serious spine problem. When the final medical solution available was surgery, I had to trust God for a supernatural touch of healing. Decades later, I still haven’t had the suggested surgery!

2. Jesus highlighted the necessity to undergird our prayers with a heart of forgiveness. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25). 

For another Palm Sunday sermon click here.

3. Palm Sunday is symbolized by a cleansing (Mark 11:15-17)

* When Jesus entered the temple, He saw that the temple courts had been turned into a market place by unscrupulous vendors. Without any hesitation He began driving them out. 

* Jesus emphasized that the house of God was a house of prayer for both Jew and Gentile – ‘for all nations’. 

Mark 11:17 says, “And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers” (Mark 11:17) 

* It is important to note in today’s context, that the Bible says that our body is the temple of the Lord. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” (1 Cor 6:19). 

Application from point 3 : 

Are you in need of a spiritual detoxing during this season of Lent? Allow the Lord to bring His cleansing into your life. 

Closing:

Reflect prayerfully on the three points of this sermon outline and act accordingly.

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