“Jesus Knows No Strangers” (“Triggered” #4)

Dr. Larry Baucom continues the Triggered series with a powerful teaching titled “Jesus Knows No Strangers”.

Taking inspiration from Luke 19:28-44, a passage traditionally known as the Triumphant Procession of Christ, Dr. Baucom begins with a poignant lesson on the importance of symbolism in the story. Jesus’ decision to process on the road from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem riding the foal of a donkey was a calculated one. A thousand years earlier, Solomon rode a donkey down the same road to be crowned as the successor to his father, King David. The message was clear to all who lined the road; fulfilling the prophecy of Zecharia 9:9, Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one like David, coming not on a steed of conquest but of peace.

From there, the sermon unfolds in three key points around the character of Christ.

Point #1 – Jesus was hoping for more than blindness.

The scripture only recalls two times when Jesus wept. One of those times occurred on that first Palm Sunday. When the religious leaders asked Jesus to rebuke the enthusiasm of his disciples Jesus was triggered to tears and said, “If you (Jerusalem), even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Pastor explains that Jesus could see the handwriting on the wall. The people waiting for the Messiah expected a conqueror who would destroy Israel’s enemies rejecting the peace God was offering them in Jesus but they couldn’t see it. Forty-seven years later they would rally behind a false messiah, go to war with Rome, and meet their destruction just as Jesus foretold.

Point 2: Jesus feels the heartache of humanity.

Matthew tells us that Jesus looked sadly over the city and said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem,… how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Pastor Larry asks us to imagine Jesus coming to our time. Would he weep over our cities filled with dysfunctional families, drug addiction, racism, political division, and hatred? Noting that while our cities have been devastated by these for many years, they are only symptoms of the real problem; a problem of the heart. If those who call themselves followers of Jesus would sense his heart for humanity then the problem would meet its solution.

Point 3: For Jesus, there are no strangers in the crowd.

Pastor Larry closes by imagining all the faces of those Jesus saw in the crowd that day. Many would have reflected their love for this rabbi who had given so much of himself for their good. Like them, Jesus peers into our hearts today lovingly searching for those who will hear him say, “If only you knew what would bring you peace” and answer, “You Lord. You are what brings us peace!”