Matthew 21: The Triumphal Entry
Parallel Passages:
Mark 11:1-10
Luke 19:28-40
John 12:12-19
There are many stories unique to various Gospels, especially in John, but many are also shared between one or more Gospels. This was a very important event that took place the week of His Crucifixion!
Let's read our text -- Matthew 21:1-9
Matthew 21:1-9
21:1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
21:2 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.
21:3 "And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."
21:4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
21:5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.' "
21:6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.
21:7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.
21:8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
21:9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!"
Before we unpack this text a bit, let's pray.
Opening Prayer
This is an interesting passage, and two entities are prophesied about here in the text --
First, Jesus. Much is said about Him. He is our Salvation, our King, He is Just and Humble, and He comes to His people in Jerusalem.
Second, the foal that Jesus rode! I'm sure the donkey would never have known her importance in revealing the Messiah.
Donkeys were very common work animals for the people, and there were a few famous donkeys in Scripture, notably this one as well as Balaam's donkey.
One lesson that we can take from this is that the LORD uses all of His Creation.
Another is that Jesus was extremely humble -- our Suffering Servant!
No King with any ego would ride into town on a donkey. Horses and chariots were much more regal, and even then, they wouldn't be without stunning decoration.
Jesus, even though more regal than any King in history, literally the King of Kings, will return on a glorious white horse, and all will recognize that He is King, whether willing or unwilling. Revelation 19 records His return and standing as King of Kings and Philippians 2 records the recognition as King of Kings.
Even so, Jesus used a donkey this time around -- maybe that gives hope to us!
Let's take a look at the process which Jesus took His disciples through in this passage:
(1-2)
I. The Disciples are Sent on a Mission by Jesus
Setting: They were coming from Jericho and were going to Jerusalem for the final time. Jesus would soon be Crucified, and His earthly ministry would soon be over. The Mount of Olives was on the Eastern side of Jerusalem (also called "Olivet"). This area would produce an abundance of olives due to its climate and water source nearby -- the brook Kidron. The Mount of Olives overlooks Jerusalem, and on its peak, you can see just about every part of the city. Quite a good place to pray!
A. Jesus had Authority
Jesus had authority. His disciples followed Him, and even so, Jesus sent them to do His work. Here, Jesus gave two of His disciples a mission.
Jesus would enter Jerusalem in a humble yet quite celebrated way.
B. Jesus told them what would happen
You will find a donkey and its colt…
One or Two Donkeys?
This was a young colt. It was typical for the inexperienced colt to be accompanied by a parent, usually the mother, so the colt would not freak out or run away.
It's likely that Jesus rode on the younger colt.
C. Jesus told them what to do
The Lord has need of them!
Jesus was not telling them to steal the donkeys. Jesus wanted them to get permission from the owner. It's likely that He had known these people or that these people were followers who would have recognized that He was the one who Created these animals and who would return them in good order.
It's worth noting that in the parallel passages of Mark and Luke, the owners are mentioned, as well, and they do allow the disciples.
(4-5) Fulfillment
Two passages are fulfilled by this entry into Jerusalem:
Isaiah 62:11-12
11 Indeed the LORD has proclaimed To the end of the world: "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.' "
12 And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.
Jesus' name was significant -- "The LORD Saves!" He is the means to salvation that the Father has provided us!
Zechariah 9:9 - "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey."
Jesus came, just as Zechariah stated, humbly and lowly.
Why was Jesus so humble?
- Perhaps to show how ugly pride is to God. The One who deserved the most to be arrogant refused and showed humility. We are sinful creations, yet He was the perfect Creator. How can we be arrogant and not humble?
- This time around, there was a pragmatic reason -- God wanted to show us how much He loved us. Jesus thus lived a humble life, quite veiled from His full glory, and He was sacrificed for our sake. Again, He will return in His full glory next time around.
(6) Obedience of the Disciples
- We need to take Jesus at His Word
- Scripture: Eventually, we saw that what Jesus said always came true, and the same will happen now and in the future with His Word in our lives.
(7-9) The people give Jesus a royal welcome!
They throw garments on the donkeys and line the road for His coming.
Why Palm Branches?
Well, gladly, they were not PINE Branches, or the Donkeys would have been dodging pine cones!
Palm Branches were beautiful in appearance and symbols of joyous victory. Previously in history, during the Intertestamental period, people in the Maccabean period would hold branches at their victories. In Revelation 7:9, the people around the throne will also hold palm branches in their hands. This is likely symbolizing both the victory of the Lord's work for us as well as the expectancy of welcoming their King.
The people lined the road with these branches.
They shout "HOSANNA"
- Literally means, "Save Now"
- Is a proclamation of Praise - "SALVATION IS HERE!"
Jesus, the Son of God, and the Promised Messiah, was here, and His people recognized it at least on some level.
It's interesting that the events that followed were very controversial -- the purging of the Temple, cursing the fig tree, and the like. Many people did not really understand who Jesus was. Later on, those who had hardened hearts would even crucify Him.
Today, we can see much more clearly. The Holy Spirit serves as a floodlight. We see darkness or just a glimpse of Jesus, but with the Holy Spirit's revelation, we can see who Jesus is so much more clearly!
II. Our Lives are Marked by this Same Process
Jesus has authority.
Jesus tells us what will happen.
Jesus tells us what to do.
A. Jesus has Authority
Matthew 28:18
All AUTHORITY is given to me in Heaven and on earth…
Jesus was not killed at the grave. He was exalted by the Father. He conquered the grave. He was not guilty of sin.
He still has every right to speak into our lives, because He has authority!
Not only is He our Creator, but He is our personally-involved God who cares for us and looks out for us. We must LISTEN for Him and follow obediently.
B. Jesus Tells us what will Happen
Mark 13:8-9
8 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 "But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.
Many will not receive the message. This is a given. However, we need to be obedient to the King in our telling others.
C. Jesus Tells us what to Do
In cases of persecution specifically, we are never told to retaliate. What about spreading the Good News generally?
Matthew 28:19-20
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
We are to make disciples.
This involves the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus.
- His Life
- His Death
- His Resurrection
- His Relevance to Each of Us
- His Promised Return
This also involves bringing the new believer to maturity in Christ.
- Crucifying the Flesh
- Pursuing Holiness
- Growing in all wisdom
- Honoring God by walking in the Spirit
This is geared toward all peoples.
- Missions near and far are completely necessary.
- The common denominator is that we are people who all need THE Savior.
So what should we take from this passage?
(Application)
1. Jesus is King, and He is the Promised Messiah
Let us live our lives in a pleasing way to Him! He laid down His life for us, and out of love for Him and celebration of His work for us, let's know Him better and honor Him with our lives.
2. Jesus knows what He's doing, and we must take Jesus at His Word!
Imagine if the disciples failed on this task, or the owners really didn't want them taking the donkeys, or there were no people in that area. Yet with all these given factors, Jesus knew the situation, gave His disciples warning, and told them how to respond.
He had everything under control. What He says goes! He has power over all things. Remember Creation? God spoke things into existence.
3. Obedience to Jesus leads to success in His eyes
By all means, follow the call that the Lord has on your life! Regardless of how hard it is or what obstacles you might face, all is more than worth it if it is done to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!
…and a final thought:
- We as a people are fickle. Jesus entered into Jerusalem to the delight of many, yet FIVE DAYS LATER, He was crucified. These were not likely the same people, or at least not all of the same people. However, how often and how quickly do we lose our trust or succumb to temptation and dishonor God?
We need to constantly battle. Jesus is the authority who we need to follow, and nothing and nobody else will do. As we close, let's pray…
Closing Prayer
