So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation”… So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. vs47-53

Religion is going to put us to death, just like Jesus; it may not be phyisically, but they are going to cast us out and reject us, because they don’t like Christ being all. They don’t mind some of His doctrine, but the incessant preaching of Christ annoys them, because it takes away their position. They want a little part in salvation, and they want to hear about something else. They derive no strength from the gospel, because they have enough of their own. They prefer side issues like homosexuality and women in the pulpit. They are not concentrated on giving Christ to all.

Sure, side issues are important and have their place. We fight for every inch of God’s word. Yet, without preaching Christ, we’re just rearranging chairs on a sinking ship. No spiritual life is given, and the Holy Spirit is inoperative! No one is helped, unless the gospel is preached, but religion can’t see the glory [1 Pet 1:25].

What are you going to do? When your church isn’t preaching Christ, will you stay quietly or rouse them up? If you can’t change things, will you leave, even to worship with a few? Prov 25:24, “Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” If you can’t find a church, will you seek your neighbors and co-workers? Will you do whatever you can to meet with a few in your area? Online worship is good, but it can’t replace the assembly. Pastor, what will you do, if your people weary of the message? Will you return to false promises, telling them that if they give, then God will bless their business? Will you preach a kingdom of this word, or go on steadfastly in the gospel?

There is a PRICE TO PAY. The Lord Jesus was murdered because He threatened their position, and there are many who hate to see Christ exalted now, replacing their own agenda. Nevertheless, Christ is all [Col 3:11]. He is everything in salvation and the subject of every sermon. He is the way that the Holy Spirit works. Otherwise, the law condemns, or we’re using empty talk [1 Tim 1:3-11]. He is issue always!

Secondly, Jesus is more important than the poor. John 12:4-6

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

True religion isn’t catering to man’s temporal needs, but spiritual; it is giving the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, so he can be saved from sin. It is reconciling him to God, so that he can live forever, rather than perfuming this temporary existence; it is giving him power over sins, not a mansion in the richest neighborhood. True religion it about Christ’s death, and Mary’s good work honors Him.

Let us learn from Judas. Some are hypocrites who love the world. He made a pretense at religion to steal from the bag [vs6]. The other disciples also questioned this woman, but they were misguided [Matt 26:8]. There’s a difference between the faults of believers… faults that can be corrected… and the obstinate unbelief of frauds. Whoever loves this world is not God’s child. Let us proclaim it loud and clear: Judas didn’t lose salvation; he never had it!

Thirdly, the Lord Jesus is a gracious King.

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

“Fear not, daughter of Zion;

behold, your king is coming,

sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

He comes humbly, sitting on a donkey’s colt. He didn’t come to reign with the sword but to rule in the hearts of men, and He is patient towards sinners. He conquers everyone He saves by His word, but He rules in love and mercy. He has compassion on sinners, and He’s lowly in heart. He’s able to touch the depraved with blood atonement, taking our sins and giving us righteousness. He took our death to give us life.