Text – Matthew 21: 10-11; Luke 23:32-34
“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”” Matthew 21: 8-11 (NIV)
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” Luke 23:32-34 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION –
Just a handful of days earlier, Jesus entered into Jerusalem with all of the Pomp and Circumstance of a rock star. The same people, who were singing His praises just a few days prior, have just finished crying out for Jesus’ death. So here Jesus is experiencing the cruelest and most despicable executions of that time. . . Crucifixion!
The scene shifts and now we Jesus hanging on the cross. Jesus spoke on a series of things while hanging on the cross; these things are known as “The Seven Last Words of Christ.” As I speak to you today about the first word, I am going to use as a subject: THEY DIDN’T HAVE A CLUE!
POINTS –
- The people knew that Jesus was from the lineage of David, and they also received Him as a Prophet from Nazareth (expound). THEY DIDN’T HAVE A CLUE!
- “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:14-16 (KJV) That did not realize that even though Jesus may have been a son of David, He was indeed the Son Man! THEY DIDN’T HAVE A CLUE!
CONCLUSION –
The scene shifts back now, and as Jesus is hanging on the cross, He is talking to His Father and asking HIM to forgive these men who thought they were just killing a regular guy. Forgive those men who thought they were killing another prophet. Jesus asked His Father to forgive them because they did not know who He was and what He came there to do; in other words . . . THEY DIDN’T HAVE A CLUE!