Look Who's Comming To Town

Triumphal Entry

Luke 19:28-44

A chilly Thanksgiving morning, floats rolled by the Macy’s Department store in New York City. Big balloons follow. Resonant bands and peppy pompom Girls. The Rockettes dance to the tune of New York, New York. Then through all the glitter and dance a hush comes upon the crowd as they gasp in anticipation. Smiles shine upon wide eyed children as their ears are filled with a hearty, “Ho, ho, ho!” The crowd then breaks out with the cheer, “Merry Christmas. Santa Claus is come to town!”

Parades have a way of filling everyone who participates in them with joy and cheer. For both the marcher and the observer.

Traditionally, parades honor a special person or event. For instance, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade honors the coming of Christmas and the famed Santa Claus.

When we think of Palm Sunday we hear that cry, “Hosanna” on the road to Jerusalem. Here, the Son of God is exalted. He is Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Luke 19:28-44

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them,

30 "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.

31 If anyone asks you, ’Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ’The Lord needs it.’"

32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.

33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"

34 They replied, "The Lord needs it."

35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it

42 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.

43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.

44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you."

(NIV)

The Mount of Olives forms a ridge about 2 miles long. This was a favorite place of Jesus during his ministry. Here he will pray to his Father, “Not my will”, and receive the betraying kiss of Judas and be arrested. It is no doubt Jesus was thinking ahead as he stood on this mount, which lay about 1 1/2 miles southeast of the city of Bethphage.

As Jesus and his disciples stood on the mount, Jesus told two disciples (who are unnamed in Luke as well as the other synoptic books) to “Go to the village”. Luke doesn’t record what village, however Matthew 21:1 reveals it to be the city of Bethphage.

In 1877, a stone called the Fresco Inscription was found in Bethphage. The picture on the stone depicts two mean untying a donkey and its colt. Matthew 21:2 verifies that two of Jesus disciples want into Bethphage and untied a donkey and its colt. Here is evidence to combat those skeptical of the Bible’s authenticity.(from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

The disciples did as Jesus told them. They went to untie the colt and the colts owner questioned them. “Why are you taking my colt?” he inquired.

This would be like someone opening your car door and sitting in the drivers seat trying to hot wire it. What would you say?

Now it is possible that Jesus had arranged to borrow it. Or it could be another miraculous event. This wouldn’t be unlike Jesus. He was known for his one liners that produced miracles. Clint Eastwood was a “one-liner” man. Who can forget his stalwart “Go ahead. Make my Day!” in “Dirty Harry.”?

Some of Jesus one-liners were, “Rise up, take your bed and walk,” to the lame man; “Go wash your eyes and see” to the blind Bartimaus; and the powerful, “Lazarus, come forth!”, which raised Lazarus from the .