< Go Back

When You Can’t Win For Losing
Matthew 21:1-11 

Introduction: The Sting Of Criticism

 Have you ever been hailed as a hero one day and seemingly crucified the next? Words of heady praise were quickly followed by stinging, biting words of criticism. Just when it seemed as though you had the world by the tail you found out that you were the one having your tail pulled. I suspect most of us have experienced the sting of criticism and the shocking reality of being praised when face to face only to be stabbed in the back as soon as you turned around.

Athletes certainly know the “what have you done for me lately” cycle of going from hero to bum. The cheers for the home run to win the game turn to jeers for the error that loses the game the next day. In this era of never ending political primaries, politicians constantly face the challenge of maintaining that quicksilver, slippery tide of public opinion. The former Soviet Union had an interesting system of handling former leaders. Statues erected by one dictator to honor himself were quickly torn down and replaced by statues of the next dictator. It seems that for every Caesar there is that supposed friend, Brutus, who thrusts the knife in the back and twists it painfully.

Before we grow too cynical let’s stop to see that there is someone who identifies with us. He knew widespread acclaim. Some of the people even tried a time or two to make him king. But, he also knew what it meant to be rejected, denied, abandoned and killed. Jesus Christ knew the biting reality of being put down by people who were full of hate for Him. They added injury to the insults they hurled at Him. And, most importantly, He endured all of it for you.

Palm Sunday was a scene of jubilant reception as the people ushered Jesus into Jerusalem in what amounted to a victory parade. In just a few short days, however, He also knew the sharp sting of jeering rejection. It is a familiar story so let’s try to take a bit of a different look at what took place.

The Jubilant Reception

There is a miraculous account in the Old Testament of a donkey who talked in trying to help Balaam see his error. A donkey is also involved in this account. What if he could talk? What would the donkey say about…

Jesus’ Reception

Who are these men untying me? Hey, stop it! Oh good, my owner noticed. Now I’ll be all right. Quiet, please! What are they saying? They say their Master needs me. My owner agrees that it’s all right for them to take me. I hope they know what they’re doing. I’ve never been ridden. I’m glad my mother is coming along. I’m not good at handling new situations.

I wonder who this man is who needs me. That must be Him over there. Oh, there’s no doubt. Look at all the people around Him. He must be a great man. But, there’s something special about Him. I knew it when they put some coats on my back and He climbed on. He did it so gently as we started the trip to Jerusalem. I’ve heard about Jerusalem. It looks like I’m going to see the city today. For some reason, I think I’ll be okay as long as He is with me.

Wow! Do you see the crowd of people? I thought there were a lot of people when we started the trip. But the crowd coming from Jerusalem is much larger. This is amazing. I can’t wait to get back to tell the other animals about this one. What’s happening now? People are taking off their jackets and putting them on the road in front of me. They actually want me to walk on their clothes. This fellow must really be important!

Listen! The people are shouting. What are they saying? Oh, that’s it. They’re saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” That’s a message worth braying about.

Well, my day is done and what a day it has been. When we finally reached Jerusalem it seemed like everybody was asking the same question, “Who is this?” I really wanted to know the answer. I heard some people saying, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” It doesn’t really matter who He is. All I know is I’d sure like to be this guy. He has it made. The crowd is in the palm of His hand.

And that’s another reason why we call this day Palm Sunday.

Our Receptions

Have you ever had a time like this? It might not have been this big, but you were the center of attention. It may be the moment of the prized promotion. Maybe it was being named to a strategic position. Or, it may have been a significant accomplishment that brought people to their feet applauding you. At that moment any number of people would have given almost anything to be you.

Jesus knew all of that—and more! But, He also had special knowledge of what was ahead. We need to see how fleetingly fickle fame and popularity were for Jesus so we will understand what to do when it seems like we just can’t win for losing.

The Jeering Rejection

We know the cheers turned to jeers for Jesus. Have we taken time, however, to feel the sting of the spite-filled hate in those words? Listen to the words shouted by people who may very well have been part of the jubilant reception given Jesus just a few days earlier.

Statements Of Rejection

Then they spit in his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, "You think you are the Messiah! So tell us who hit you!"     Matthew 26:67-68 CEV

During Passover the governor always freed a prisoner chosen by the people. At that time a well-known terrorist named Jesus Barabbas was in jail. So when the crowd came together, Pilate asked them, "Which prisoner do you want me to set free? Do you want Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous. While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man. I have had nightmares because of him."

But the chief priests and the leaders convinced the crowds to ask for Barabbas to be set free and for Jesus to be killed. Pilate asked the crowd again, "Which of these two men do you want me to set free?"

"Barabbas!" they replied.

 Pilate asked them, "What am I to do with Jesus, who is called the Messiah?"

 They all yelled, "Nail him to a cross!"

Pilate answered, "But what crime has he done?"

"Nail him to a cross!" they yelled even louder.          Matthew 27:15-23 CEV

The soldiers assigned to the governor took Jesus into the governor's palace and got the entire brigade together for some fun. They stripped him and dressed him in a red toga. They plaited a crown from branches of a thornbush and set it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand for a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mocking reverence: "Bravo, King of the Jews!" they said. "Bravo!" Then they spit on him and hit him on the head with the stick. When they had had their fun, they took off the toga and put his own clothes back on him. Then they proceeded out to the crucifixion.                               Matthew 27:27-31 The Message

After they had finished nailing him to the cross and were waiting for him to die, they whiled away the time by throwing dice for his clothes. Above his head they had posted the criminal charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews. Along with him, they also crucified two criminals, one to his right, the other to his left. People passing along the road jeered, shaking their heads in mock lament: "You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you're really God's Son, come down from that cross!"

 The high priests, along with the religion scholars and leaders, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: "He saved others—he can't save himself! King of Israel, is he? Then let him get down from that cross. We'll all become believers then! He was so sure of God—well, let him rescue his 'Son' now—if he wants him! He did claim to be God's Son, didn't he?" Even the two criminals crucified next to him joined in the mockery.                                                Matthew 27:39-44 The Message

If a certain donkey were present—and could talk—I think we would find him very confused by what he was seeing and hearing.

Situations of Rejection

Rejection is confusing. We know this because we experience it in different ways.

·         The businessman says, “I started this company and now they want me out. It’s my company.”

·         The wife says, “I put him through school and one day he comes to tell me he has found someone else he would rather spend the rest of his life with. How can he do that?

·         The parent says, “I sacrificed all I had for those kids and now they don’t even call me on the phone.”

Rejection is confusing and it hurts. It is one of the most painful hurts we experience. It’s worse than any fall old Humpty Dumpty ever had. It paralyzes. It leaves you feeling like an empty shell. You want to strike back and retaliate in the worst way.

Rejection is confusing and painful and it is unavoidable. At sometime, with someone, it will happen. Listen to this fable about The Miller, His Son, And Their Donkey.

A Miller and his son were driving their Donkey to a neighboring fair to sell him. They had not gone far when they met with a troop of women collected round a well, talking and laughing. "Look there," cried one of them, "did you ever see such fellows, to be trudging along the road on foot when they might ride?' The old man hearing this, quickly made his son mount The Donkey, and continued to walk along merrily by his side. Presently they came up to a group of old men in earnest debate. "There," said one of them, "it proves what I was a-saying. What respect is shown to old age in these days? Do you see that idle lad riding while his old father has to walk? Get down, you young scapegrace, and let the old man rest his weary limbs." Upon this the old man made his son dismount, and got up himself.

In this manner they had not proceeded far when they met a company of women and children: "Why, you lazy old fellow," cried several tongues at once, "how can you ride upon the beast, while that poor little lad there can hardly keep pace by the side of you?' The good-natured Miller immediately took up his son behind him. They had now almost reached the town. "Pray, honest friend," said a citizen, "is that Donkey your own?' "Yes," replied the old man. "O, one would not have thought so," said the other, "by the way you load him. Why, you two fellows are better able to carry the poor beast than he you." "Anything to please you," said the old man; "we can but try."

So, alighting with his son, they tied the legs of The Donkey together and with the help of a pole endeavored to carry him on their shoulders over a bridge near the entrance to the town. This entertaining sight brought the people in crowds to laugh at it, till The Donkey, not liking the noise nor the strange handling that he was subject to, broke the cords that bound him and, tumbling off the pole, fell into the river. Upon this, the old man, vexed and ashamed, made the best of his way home again, convinced that by endeavoring to please everybody he had pleased nobody, and lost his Donkey in the bargain.

Sometimes you just can’t win for the losing! The miller wasn’t prepared for the rejection he experienced. I believe Jesus was. It shows in His lament over Jerusalem.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, “Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

                                                                                                Luke 13:34-35 NLT

Look at one more event that happened leading to Jesus’ rejection.

The Setting of Rejection: The Garden of Gethsemane

We know that Jesus experienced all the anguish of the rejection that would lead to His crucifixion. Listen to His anguish in the Garden.

He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”                                                        Matthew 26:38 NLT

Luke reports

He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.                              Luke 22:44 NLT

Now, listen to the release for His anguish.

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”                                                                                       Matthew 26:39 NLT

This speaks powerfully to our dilemma when we experience the stinging pain of rejection.

·         It may be expressed as a question, “Isn’t it supposed to get better when you give yourself to God?”

·         Or, it may be a statement, “I thought God blesses and everything gets better.”

When we feel the crushing weight of rejection we need to remember Jesus, the Son of God, surrendered to the Father only to be rejected and killed.

A few weeks ago I caught the beginning of a Sunday morning television sermon. It was so good I was tempted to stay home to hear it all. The title of the sermon was “The Non-Interventions Of God”. The preacher emphasized how wonderful it is when God intervenes and delivers us. Peter was miraculously delivered from prison in Acts. It was Herod’s intent to kill Peter. The people of the church prayed, an angel of the Lord released Peter from prison and they all understandably rejoiced. God was praised for His miraculous intervention.

The preacher then asked, “I wonder how the family of James felt.” You see, just before Peter was released, James had been killed. In fact, Herod arrested Peter because he saw how pleased the people were when he had James executed. In one case God intervened; in one case he didn’t.

And so we read at the end of the great chapter of faith in Hebrews 11 about those

·         Who were tortured and refused to be released

·         Who faced jeers and flogging

·         Who were chained and put in prison

·         Who were stoned

·         Who were sawed in half

·         Who were put to death with the sword

·         Who went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated

Should we celebrate their faith, too?

Yes, we should! The writer of Hebrews says, “…the world was not worthy of them” (Hebrews 11:38). God’s grace shines when He intervenes and delivers. God’s grace shines even more brightly when His faithful people press on with unwavering faith through His non-interventions. Many times we don’t know the names of those God delivered but we do know the name of John Huss who burned at the stake and Jim Elliott who was killed by the Auca Indians. The only reason they died was because they loved Jesus and were surrendered to follow Him no matter what.

They were just like Jesus who was surrendered to follow the will of His Father no matter what. Why did He do that? He did it because He loves us unconditionally.

Conclusion: Jesus Knows What It’s Like

If you find yourself in one of those places where it seems like you can’t win for losing, you need to know there is one who identifies with rejection. Jesus knows what it’s like to be despised and rejected. The Bible compares Jesus to a stone rejected by builders. Peter used this illustration as he spoke before the Jewish ruling council who wanted to force his silence.

For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

“The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.                                                          Acts 4:11-12 NLT

I found some information that helps me understand how meaningful this illustration would have been to those who were listening to Peter. One of the great preachers of the ages, Harry Ironside provides what he identifies as a well-known, ancient legend.

The story goes that when the temple of Solomon was in the course of construction all the stones sent up from the quarry below were practically of the same size and shape. But one day a stone was found different from all the rest, and the builders said, “There is no place for this stone. There must be a mistake.” So they rolled it to the edge of the cliff and tumbled it down into the valley of Kidron below the temple area. As the years went on (Solomon’s temple was seven years in building) they were finally ready for the chief cornerstone. They sent the order for it. They were told, “You must have it there; we sent it to you long ago.” Their search proved fruitless.

And then an old workman said, “I remember now. There was a stone different from the rest and we thought there was no place for it and tumbled it down to the valley below.”

So, they went down to the valley and there they found the stone, now covered by lichens and debris—the very stone the builders rejected. They now had to hoist it to the top of the cliff, then back to the platform and put it in place. It fit perfectly. The stone the builders rejected had become the head stone of the corner.

Every Jew knew that story and they knew what Peter meant when he said, “This is the stone that you builders rejected and has now become the cornerstone.” Peter was telling them, “Jesus was God’s Anointed and you rejected Him, but God has raised Him up and made Him the chief cornerstone of the new temple.”

It’s a fact of life that we know what it means to be rejected. So does Jesus. There is meaning in that rejection and it is this: As people who have known rejection we add insult to His insult and injury to His injury by rejecting Him now. Give Him that reception that He longs for, a reception for which He suffered the ultimate in rejection. Receive Him into your heart. Accept Him as your Savior. Surrender and follow Him.

Jesus knows all about your hurt and He can help because it is in the losing that you win!