Matt. 21: 1-17 The Triumphant Entry

Matt. 21: 1-17 THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY 3-15-13

What we're about to look into today is often referred to as His triumphant entry, Jesus officially offers Himself to the nation of Israel as her long-awaited Messiah.

Some may wonder how this could be triumphant for Jesus since it leads to His crucifixion.

This was the entry of the Messiah, the King of Kings; and His triumph was to be the greatest victory of all time, the victory over sin, death and the grave. To do that He would have to die in place of all humanity, and then rise from the dead as the sign that He had overcome it all. Therefore, He entered the city to die. Then, when He comes again, He will appear in glory as the truly triumphant and glorious King of Kings.

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* The triumphal entry is found in all four Gospel accounts.

In Matthew's record Jesus was born and sought by the wise men who called Him the King of the Jews. Now, at the end of His ministry, He is again presented as the King of the Jews.

In Matthew, Mark, and Luke's accounts we find three different entries, and from these three accounts we find that Jesus entered Jerusalem on three consecutive days. And at the end of each day He'd return to Bethany.

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* LISTEN; one way we can know that Jesus was and is Israel's King is by Daniels prophecy found in Dan. 9:24-26.

Listen; The kingdom of Judah was taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and Daniel was among the captives, Daniel had either heard Jeremiah preach, or Daniel had read what Jeremiah wrote to do with how long their captivity in Babylon was to last, and after reading Jeremiahs prophecy he knew that 70 years were about up, here is what Daniel read;

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>>Jeremiah 25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, --

>>Jeremiah 29: 10For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

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LISTEN; The seventy years of captivity was the penalty for violating seventy sabbatical years that means they'd not allow the land to rest for one year every 7 years, they continued to work the land.

That would be seventy sevens, a total of 490 years. In those 490 years, Israel had violated seventy sabbatical years; so they would go into captivity for seventy years, thus allowing the land to rest.

>> 2 Chron. 36:21 To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years. 70 years in captivity.

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Again; one way we can know that Jesus was and is Israel's King is by Daniels prophecy found in Dan. 9:24-26. -- The angel Gabriel brings this message to Daniel.

>>Daniel 9: 24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Six things would be accomplished.

Daniel was informed that God has appointed 70 weeks upon the Jewish people to finish all transgressions.

These "weeks," are not seven-day weeks, but each "week" represents seven years. Thus, 70 weeks of years equals 490 years.

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* Here are the six things to be accomplished:

1. "To finish the transgression." This refers to the transgression of Israel. The cross provided the redemption for sin--for the sin of the nation, but not all accepted it. But in that last "week" ** (tribulation) we are told that God says,

>>Zech. 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications ** earnest prayer.

>>Zech. 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

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2. "To make an end of sins." The national sins of Israel will come to an end at the second coming of Christ.

3. "To make reconciliation for iniquity." During this period of Seventy Weeks, God has provided redemption through the death and resurrection of Christ, not only for Israel but for all people.

4. "And to bring in everlasting righteousness" this refers to the return of Christ at the end of the 490 years to establish the Kingdom.