AUGUST 23, 2015
JESUS’ TRIUMPHAL ENTRANCE
INTRODUCTION:
1. Leaving Jericho, Jesus began His ascent up to Jerusalem. Not only was it an upward journey, but Jerusalem was a city which stood on a hill. Jesus was going there to accomplish the redemption of His people. That which was facing Him, He had very recently rehearsed again to His disciples. (Ch. 10:32, 34) His readiness to do what must be done, and to finish the work which His Father had given Him to do is seen in that He went before.
2. They were come unto the villages of Bethphage and Bethany. We are familiar with Bethany, because the home of Jesus’ dear friends, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha was there. These two villages lay before the Mount of Olives, about two miles from Jerusalem. It was here that Jesus began to make preparations for entrance into Jerusalem.
3. Our Lord’s words and actions on this occasion are striking and wonderful. The reasons seem clear and plain. His work as the Great Prophet, so far as His earthly ministry was concerned, was almost finished. His work as the sacrifice for sin and substitute for sinners remained to be accomplished. Therefore, being mindful of Zechariah’s prophecy of this event (Zech. 9:9), He would draw the attention of the whole nation to Himself, as His entrance would be in fulfillment of that prophecy, and must answer to it in every detail. This thing could not be done in a corner, but must be highly publicized. With this in mind, notice –
I. JESUS MAKES ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIS ENTRANCE THAT ARE IN KEEPING WITH THE PREDICTIONS OF THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH. (VERSES 1-6; ZECH. 9:9) Notice how the manner in which He instructs His disciples clearly reveals His divine nature.
A. HIS PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THINGS IS SEEN. (VERSE 2)
1. We see Him sending two of His disciples into a village, describing to them what they would see and hear with as much confidence as if the whole transaction had been previously arranged.
2. In short, He speaks like one to whom all things were naked and open; like one whose eyes were in every place at once; like one who knew things unseen as well as things seen.
3. The disciples would at the entrance of the village see a colt tied, upon which no man had sat. Matthew makes mention of the colt’s mother, as does the prophet, but Mark, only mentions the animal upon which the Messiah was to ride.
4. Our Lord’s omniscience is proof positive of His Divine nature. We have seen many times how Jesus would speak or act in a certain way based on His knowledge of men’s thoughts. In His dealings with the Pharisees, His response were often prefaced by the phrase, “…knowing their thoughts.” In those cases, they were left to wonder how He knew. This is different. He states what is, and what will be in clearest detail, leaving no doubt as to the basis of His knowledge.
5. Christ’s perfect knowledge should be a great comfort to every true believer. We ought to cry out like David, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, I cannot attain unto it.” (See Psalm 139_1-12) He knows us, He knows our love. (John 21:17)
6. Let unbelievers be alarmed at this reality, and may it awaken them to repentance. (Job 34:22; Rom. 2:16)
B. HIS DIVINE OWNERSHIP OF ALL THINGS IS ASSERTED. “…loose him and bring him.”
1. He can say this because, as Creator, He owns everything. All things we have are on loan from Him. Notice, “say…the Lord hath need of him.” Not our Lord, but the Lord of heaven and earth, Whose are the cattle on a thousand hills.
2. The “need” was not because of weariness. He who had traveled from Galilee to Bethany on foot could have walked the two remaining miles. The “need” was that He might enter Jerusalem according to the prophecy of Zechariah.
3. The owner of this colt had no idea the honor that was given him. Whatever we have that Christ requires for His service is our great honor to give. He cannot ask of us anything that He has not first given to us.
C. HIS ABSOLUTE RULE OVER THE HEARTS OF MEN IS DEMONSTRATED. (VERSES 3-6)
1. There had been no pre-arrangement. The Lord knew that the owner would express his objection.
2. Nevertheless, the Lord turned his heart, removing all objections. The hearts of kings are in His hand. (Prov. 21:1) But, what is true about kings is true of all.
3. The Psalmist could say with absolute certainty, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.” (Psa. 110:3)
D. ALSO, IN ADDITION TO HIS DIVINE NATURE, HIS OFFICE AS KING MESSIAH IS PROCLAIMED. (ZECH. 9:9)
1. Jesus was keenly aware of every prophetic detail concerning Himself and His work. (John 19:28-30)
2. All of these arrangements were made in order to publicize the fact that Zechariah was speaking of Him.
E. HIS SOVEREIGN LORDSHIP OVER ALL IS THE GREAT CONFIDENCE AND COMFORT OF ALL WHOM HE SENDS IN HIS NAME. (VERSES 4, 6; LUKE 19:32)
1. We go in and walk by faith, but we are guided by His all-seeing eye.
2. We must obey His voice, trusting that He Who goes with us controls all circumstances.
3. We are to do His bidding, knowing that He goes before us.
4. We go in His stead, knowing that His commands are made effectual as He rules over the hearts of men.
II. JESUS MAKES HIS ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM ACCORDING TO ZECHARIAH’S PROPHECY WITH GREAT PUBLICITY. (VERSES 7-10)
A. HE RIDES INTO JERUSALEM ON AN ASS’S COLT LIKE A TRIUMPHANT KING. (VSE. 7)
1. Having obtained the desired animal, the disciples brought him to Jesus. They then spread their own garments on his back for a blanket.
2. Zechariah cries, “Behold, thy KING cometh unto thee: He is JUST and having SALVATION; LOWLY, and riding upon an ass.”
3. This was not the kind of king that the rulers were expecting, but had they known the Scriptures, He was exactly their fulfillment. He came, “having salvation,” said the prophet. For sake of that work He must lay down His life, He shall then take it up again and go into a far country (ascend into heaven) to receive for Himself a Kingdom. (Luke 19:32)
B. HE ENTERED THE CITY TO GREAT REJOICING AND LOUD HOSANNAS FROM THE MULTITUDE OF DISCIPLES ABOUT HIM. (VERSES 7-10; SEE MATT. 21:9-11 AND LUKE 19:37, 38)
1. The common people who made up the majority of Christ’s followers had seen His mighty works, and owned Christ as King. Most recently they had witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the dead at Bethany. (John 11:41-45; 12:17-20)
2. They put together a kind of natural country triumph. Having no saddle, they used their garments. These they also strewed before Him, along with palm leaves, etc.
3. The multitude of disciples, now joined by those that John mentioned, all began to sing and shout and praise God. They shouted loud Hosannas (SAVE NOW). They blessed the Son of David.
4. From what John records (John 11, 12) it is clear that all Israel and the world knew about this. The Pharisees were more than a little concerned about His fame. It was God’s will that Christ’s redemptive work (His death, burial, and resurrection) be widely publicized.
5. Sadly, few if any of these followers really understood what was taking place here, nor did they understand the nature of His Kingdom that He was to receive. Nevertheless, the event of Christ’s sacrifice for sin as a substitute for guilty sinners was known far and wide.
C. CHRIST’S TRIUMPH AND THE THUNDEROUS ACCLAMATIONS BY THE MULTITUDES SORELY VEXED THE PROUD PHARISEES. (SEE LUKE 19:39, 40)
1. They would have silenced the multitude had they been able. (Luke 19:39)
a) They joined not in any praises of Jesus of Nazareth, Whom they despised.
b) It pained them to hear Him praised as Savior and worthy of highest glory.
2. Even could they have silenced the people, God would have His Name forever praised. (Luke 19:40)
a) This appears to be a proverbial saying used among them.
b) This day accomplished God’s decree, which could not be defeated.
III. HAVING ENTERED JERUSALEM TO SHOUTS OF LOUD HOSANNAS, JESUS WENT DIRECTLY TO THE TEMPLE, MADE A BRIEF ENTRANCE, LOOKED ALL AROUND, THEN RETIRED TO BETHANY WITH HIS DISCIPLES. (VERSE 11)
A. HIS SUDDEN COMING INTO THE TEMPLE WAS FOR THE FULFILLING OF THE PROPHETIC SCRIPTURE. (MAL. 3:1)
1. There was no King’s banquet prepared and waiting, that’s for sure.
2. He said nothing, and did nothing at this time. He simply “looked about upon all things.” He saw many disorders, but for the time being, held His peace.
3. The Lord sees all wickedness in the world, but He does not presently reckon with every evil.
B. HAVING SATISFIED HIS PRESENT PURPOSE, JESUS RETIRED WITH THE TWELVE TO BETHANY FOR THE NIGHT.
1. There He shall enjoy the company of His dear friends; Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
2. On the morrow, He shall return to the temple, but this time not in silence.
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