COMMOTION CREATED CONFUSION & CONCERN
John 12:12-19
That was Passover time at Jerusalem – couple of million people from all over the world was gathered for the most important festival in Jewish calendar.
Precisely during that festivity Lord Jesus chose to make an appearance.
This event was covered by all Gospel writers.
I. LORD JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM ON A DONKEY’S BACK (13-15)
Jerusalem’s narrow streets were crowded heavily with buzzing people.
Here comes the procession waving palm branches in front of a man riding on a donkey.
They were chanting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Hosanna is a Hebrew expression meaning, ‘Save’ which became an exclamation of praise.
As the crowds pass by they saw a glimpse of a person on a donkey’s back – wondered why on a donkey and why not a horse.
They did not know that Lord Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy written about HIM in Zech 9:9.
To their surprise and wonder some followers took off their coats and cloaks and spread them before the donkey as a symbol of red carpet treatment for visiting heads of State or royalty.
II. SEGMENTS IN THE CROWD
A. Innocent passersby
The innocent passers-by had never seen the Lord Jesus before or knew HIM.
They were travelers, pilgrims with their burlap bags came from other countries.
They had come early to the marketplace to shop and get some good bargains.
They knew nothing of what was to come but they were at the right place at the right time. 
They just happened to be present when the procession came by.
Few instantly picked up their bags and joined and followed the possessions.
B. Inspired poor
The poor always lived in all ages and they were there even in our Lord’s time.
These poor and ignored people in the society were the most attracted to the Lord.
They loved Lord Jesus for the hope HE gave to them throughout HIS ministry.
Probably these were the poor who did not hesitate to spread their clothes for HIM.
In lowering their worn out cloaks to the ground, they also humbled themselves recognizing the Messiah and felt honored to be with HIM.
C. Incited politically
There were people who hated and despised the arrogance of the ruling Roman government. They hated their pagan practices and religious system worshiping other gods.
They carried sharp, razor-like daggers in their belts and would slit the throats of Romans if an opportunity comes their way.
But they too joined the procession expecting Lord Jesus as the king who came finally to free them from the oppressive Roman rule.
But they were troubled why the Lord was riding on a donkey instead of white horse.
These were the most disappointed in Lord Jesus because of wrong expectations.
D. The passionate few
Many were passionate people because they were the eye witnesses of the miracles Lord performed right before their eyes.
They cried, danced, shouted and sang joyful because they understood The One who rode on the donkey before them was the Healer, the miracle worker and king of Israel.
E. Intolerant Religious leaders
They were the powerful and looking for an opportunity to kill Jesus.
They were the prejudiced, intolerant religious people who always tried to question Jesus.
Lord Jesus criticized them the most and called them names – brood of wipers & white washed tombs
They just could not contain themselves for hearing the cheering of crowds in jubilation.
They were furious and plotting to kill the Lord as they believed that HE was leading the “whole world astray”.
I like the way one pastor put it, “The church is the continuing procession.”
The triumphal entry which began just outside of Jerusalem continues marching throughout history in the form of the church. 
We are also part of the procession at Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
The important question is where are you identity in the procession?
Which crowd closely represents you in the Triumphal Entry?
The answer will help you to strengthen you in your faith journey.

Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore is the typical transition from previous segment.
What is the last statement of the Lord?   
Read Matthew 6:19-24 
1. STOP WORRYING
Someone has defined “worry as a thin stream of fear that trickles through the mind”.
A. We are more than physical
Lord Jesus is commanding us not to be anxious about the mundane.
It must be very important for the Lord to repeat in verses 31 & 34.
What to eat, drink and cloth were constant worries for the people in Lord Jesus time.
The people were vulnerable than we are today because of their circumstances.
There was no middle class and money tends to control everybody.
Lord is simply saying “don’t be anxious what you put IN your body and what you put ON your body”.
HE is drawing their attention to deeper aspects of human life than the mundane.
B. We are better than all creation (26-30)
It is understood that our heavenly Father cares for HIS creation.
Interestingly we see three questions surface in these verses.
Are you not much more valuable than they?
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
You of little faith?
Lord is encouraging them to know that they are precious in the eyes of God.
When HE takes care of other aspects of HIS creation HE will take care of us definitely.
But by worrying we are exposing our lack of faith in HIM who provides everything.
We should never forget that we are made in God’s image and we do have a purpose in life apart from just surviving. 
2. START SEEKING (31-34)
Lord reminds HIS listeners our Heavenly Father knows that we need our daily necessities.
Unbelievers spend all their efforts in life just to worry about them and chase after.
They have no concept of seeking what God’s purpose in life.
But we do have a higher calling and we need to understand seek what is God’s purpose.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 
Two things are linked here.
1. The Kingdom of God.
Someone said “Kingdom of God is dynamic reality, not a static idea”.
It is God who came into human history to redeem and rule all.
But few chose to accept responsibility for living under HIS rule.
Those who willingly put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, God ushers them into HIS kingdom now and in future.
2. God’s righteousness.
Dictionaries define righteousness as “behavior that is morally justifiable or right.” 
Bible describes God measures human righteousness with HIS own character.
The true and perfect righteousness is not possible for anyone to attain on his/her own.
Because the standard is simply too high
The true righteousness is possible through the cleansing of sin by Lord Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 
Our life goal is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. 
That is our number one priority in life.
When we do that no matter what we go through, God is going to add all that we want in life.
That is HIS solemn promise to trust and accept without any doubt.
Our goal should not just be survival here but live for the life after.
We, the believers should never forget that we are kingdom people doing Kingdom business following kingdom principles.
The entire Sermon on the Mount is given to us to understand and follow kingdom principles.
We are kingdom people and never forget that.

Matthew 5:33-48
Our Words Matter (33-37)
Unfortunately the society in which we are living in lost its relevance for truth.
The truth has become relative and there is no absolute truth remains.
Because in our everyday living we shade the truth and we make promises we have no intention of keeping them.
In HIS Sermon on the Mount teaching, Lord Jesus points to the oath taking by people to convince others of the truth they are expressing.
HE is warning that be very careful the oaths we take in the normal course of our conversations.
In verses 33-37 the Lord basically reminds us that swearing with an oath weakens the truth in our words.
According to Lord Jesus God is the Creator and HE is the truth. 
To take any part of God’s creation as witness to a false oath is to dishonor God Himself.
To dishonor and compromise any truth is to dishonor and compromise His truth. 
It is wicked and sinful for us to use anything of God’s name or a part of His creation, as witness to anything for our dishonest, deceitful, insincere, and false statements.
Believers in the Lord Jesus do not need the help of an oath to confirm their words as truth.
We do not need the ‘crutches’ of oath to make others believe in us.
Our Reactions Matter (38-42)
Deuteronomy 19:18-21
The Scribes and Pharisees missed both the context and the original intent of this passage. 
It is for the judge or the state to enforce punishment on people who commit crimes.
This is not an issue of personal vendetta to take matter into one’s own hands.
The principle of punishment to match the crime had two basic purposes.
To remove the person from the society doing more harm.
To prevent excessive punishment based on personal vengeance and angry retaliation.
The religious teachers of that time moved this command out of its proper place of application.
These teachers made it an obligation even in personal relationships.
According to Jews custom or as a matter of fact in other eastern customs, the slap on the face is literally understood as a terrible insult.
Turning the other cheek means not to avenge or retaliate but be humble and gentle in response to such insult as kingdom people.
The attitude of kingdom people should be willingness to share even at personal inconvenience.
Lord Jesus saying that we should share what we have when we see a person in need – that is exhibition of true Christianity.
Walking an extra mile means to go beyond ones comfort level to help others.
As believers we should never say no to people who ask for help.
Lord Jesus is reminding us to be generous as kingdom people.
Our Actions Matter (43-48)
Here is the most powerful teaching in Scripture about the meaning of love. 
As Christians we are not only to love our neighbors and but also love the enemy by praying for them.
One of the common and most damaging criticisms of Christians is that they do not live up to their faith.
We as God’s children must show love and care as God shows.
God allows sun to rise on the good and the bad and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
In theological terms it is common grace shown indiscriminately.
We as the citizens of God’s kingdom must show much higher standard of love. 
Our actions should be better than the rest of the world.
Such Christians should be noticed by others as more honest and considerate. 
They should be noticed in their communities as more helpful and caring people. 
We are kingdom people and we have the love of Christ in our hearts.
Our words matter – our reactions matter - our actions matter to God.
We have to become what God wants us to be – the channels of HIS blessings.
The Sermon on the Mount continues to teach us to be different and extra-ordinary.
Can we be those people who can make a difference in the world we live in?

Matthew 5:7-12
1. Practicing Heart
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
To show mercy means to help and relieve people in misery or in helpless condition.
Grace is simply receiving what we don’t deserve
Mercy is not receiving what we deserve
Because of HIS grace, the undeserving sinful humanity receives the love of God.
Because of HIS mercy we receive forgiveness instead of punishment for sin.
Because of HIS compassion HE forgives all of our sin.
Such recipients of God’s mercy must have the same kind of compassion shown to others.
The Christians are to be the instruments of mercy, compassion and to forgive others.
By nature we are unforgiving and unkind people and lack of compassion for others.
Lord’s intention is to remind us that we have received mercy and we have to show mercy.
This is one of the problems of our heart.
2. Transforming Heart 
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
The basic tenant of the Gospel message is the transformation of heart because the heart is the problem center of every human being.
From the heart comes out all wickedness and sinful nature.
The pure in heart is a process and it begins with salvation through Jesus Christ.
First step in this process is to be cleansed by the blood of the Lord Jesus.
Second step is to remain pure in the heart which is the most difficult and awesome task.
A wavering mind or double mind in the matters of heart does not help a believer.
A double mind is always unstable in any sphere of one’s life.
The heart struggles constantly between discipleship and desires of the world.
In the eyes of our Lord it is important to possess a clean and a pure heart.
A pure heart is the one that transforms daily and steadily. 
This is also one more problem of our heart.
3. Responding Heart
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
In the world we live we hardly find peace anywhere.
That is why peace is the most significant word in our present day world yet it is elusive.
The problem of peace today is the absence of God’s peace in human heart.
Not just lack of political peace in the world but we are desperately want peace in tormented minds, broken homes, and troubled youth. 
Peace comes through a transformed heart and a changed life.
The peacemakers are the ones redeemed by HIS grace and enjoy the peace of Christ.
Such redeemed people are capable of bringing peace in the world.
Our sins and our iniquities have separated us from God and only Prince of peace can restore that peace once again.
Those peace makers are given a special designation and are called God’s children.
This is once again a problem of our heart.
Steadfast Heart (10-12)
Today we hear and see the Christians are being persecuted worldwide for their in Christ.
We also hear Christians are being persecuted by intimidation and ridicule in America.
Unfortunately the church is becoming silent and avoiding confrontation. 
The Lord is promising to all who face persecution a reward in heaven.
Heaven is a place of rewards for faithful service on earth.
Rewards are to be bestowed on the basis of deeds while access to heaven is only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord says rejoice and be glad when we are persecuted for HIS Name sake.
Our reward will be great in the afterlife.
Beatitudes are like beads in a chain:
1. Brings the awareness of sin in a person- an intellectual understanding.
2. To grieve in our heart for our sins.
3. Consider dead to self – approach God in self-humility and with a broken spirit.
4. Compels us to show an obedience spirit through our words and deeds.
5. Reminds us to show mercy because we have received mercy.
6. Requires a transforming heart daily and steadily to retain a pure heart.
7. Responsibility of peacemakers as Prince Peace gave us peace.
8. Withstand persecution without wavering faith because our rewards are great.