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He Lived
Joshua Johnson
Life of Jesus
March 25
He Lived –
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her.
Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
NOTE: “The Lord” is, more literally, their Lord/Master and also suggests a double entendre.
The disciples will act as if they are servants of the donkey’s owner.
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.
8 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[b] to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]
“Hosanna[d] 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.”
All four gospels give the account of the Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
Today we look at the Matthews 21:1-3
Bethphage (v. 1) and Bethany (v.
17) were two small villages just to the east of Jerusalem on or near the slopes of the large hill, known as the Mount of Olives, which dominated the skyline of that side of town.
(INSERT PICTURE - Mount of Olives) (SLIDE)
Matthew includes the place names to remind his readers how near Jesus is to Jerusalem and perhaps also to evoke the messianic (Remember our definition of Messianic from last week?
Belief in the Hope of a Messiah.
Zechariah’s prophecy was widely interpreted in rabbinic literature as messianic
Jesus is consciously making preparations to enter Jerusalem after the fashion of
Matthew undoubtedly sees Jesus as the true Master, not only of the donkeys but of all people’s property, which he can rightfully demand at any time.
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Associations of the Mount of Olives () (SLIDE)
On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west…
Matthew undoubtedly sees Jesus as the true Master, not only of the donkeys but of all people’s property, which he can rightfully demand at any time.
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.
II - THE SERVANTS IN THIS STORY
The Disciples—they fetched the donkey and colt, and proudly escorted the King of kings this day…but they would later forsake Him and flee!
The Crowd—many believers would have been present, but many would prove to be ‘fair weather friends’ by the end of the week.
The Bible indicates that there were people who were ‘secret disciples’ or who ‘followed at a distance’ the Lord.
And many today are genuinely saved, but follow in the same manner, especially when the atmosphere is not favorable!
21:6–9 The plan goes off without a hitch as the two disciples do as they have been told.
They place their cloaks on the animals while the crowd paves the road with theirs, adding tree branches to their festive carpet.
SEE PICTURES = Donkey at Mount of Olives
refers specifically to palm branches appropriate for a trip from Jericho, “the City of Palms.”
SEE PICTURES - PALMS near Jericho.
, also enables one to identify this as the Sunday before the Friday Passover on which Jesus will be crucified, hence, the liturgical tradition of referring to this day as Palm Sunday.
The whole picture conveys celebration and honor, reminiscent of the victory parades with which triumphant kings and generals in Old Testament and inter testamental times were welcomed (cf.
).
The strewing of garments and branches further demonstrates how the crowds have the wrong messianic concept.
There will be no victory party when they arrive in Jerusalem.
The crowds acclaim Jesus as Messiah with regal, Davidic terminology.
“Son of David” also echoes the blind men’s cry in 20:30.
“Hosanna” originally meant God save us but by the first century was probably just a cry of praise to Yahweh.
(SLIDE)
The “He who comes in the name of the Lord,” like the “coming one” of whom John the Baptist spoke (recall under 3:11), refers to the Messiah.
On “hosanna in the highest,” see also .
VS 10-11 ——-
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.”
21:10–11 The whole procession has a powerful impact on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, even though they are used to huge crowds of festival pilgrims.
As we begin this Holy Week, may we constantly be reminded of it’s significance and value for our lives today.
That very important day in history, when Jesus began His journey towards the cross.
Yet maybe in the midst our busy lives, on the front end of Spring Break, or in all of the upcoming thoughts about Easter, the real meaning of it may, even unintentionally, get missed.
His Word reveals such great truths in every part of this story.
Truths that draw us closer towards Christ, reminding us that He alone is King…
3. When the people shouted "Hosanna!"
they were hailing Christ as King.
That word actually means "save now," and though in their own minds they waited for an earthly king, God had a different way in mind of bringing true salvation to all who would trust in Him.
That word actually means "save now," and though in their own minds they waited for an earthly king, God had a different way in mind of bringing true salvation to all who would trust in Him.
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!"
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
4.
The Bible says that Jesus wept for Jerusalem.
In the midst of the praise of the moment, He knew in His heart that it wouldn't be long that these same people would turn their backs on Him, betray Him, and crucify Him.
His heart broke with the reality of how much they needed a Savior.
"As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it, and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes."
How much does your heart break for God’s people?
Palm Sunday reminds us that the reign of Christ is far greater than any plan that man could ever conceive or plan.
Man looked for someone to fight their battles in the present day world.
Yet God had the ultimate plan of sending His Son to fight the final battle over death.
This is the greatness of why we celebrate this week.
Because of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, we can be set free of death.
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,'"
We have so much to be grateful for this week.
The enemy knows that, and you can bet, he's going to do everything he can to try and distract us away from the true meaning of what this Holy Week means.
Don't let him win.
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