I loved songs from the '70s. I find that most of today's music, no offense to today's generation, just doesn't get it. I love those old songs, and many of them--from bands like Chicago, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Doobie Brothers, Electric Light Orchestra and others just seem to have much more heart to them.
However, most of us just sang those songs and never really paid attention to the lyrics. We just sang along to some good music; and, like most kids today, they just don't pay attention to what they are singing because "I like the music". That being said, after I got saved in 1996, I started really paying attention to the lyrics in songs and often was just flat out appalled at what I was singing!
More than just a few times in Scripture, you will find a similar thing. Also I have found that today many people will say things, perhaps caught up in the moment or just following what they had been taught over years of life; perhaps something taught by a well meaning parent, school teacher, coach or even a Sunday School teacher or pastor. I have met people that will parrot all sorts of things without really giving it much thought because "the music was good" from that trusted source; in other words, the love that they had for that person caused them to blindly trust in them without giving it much thought or consideration.
This week, we will study what is commonly known as "The Triumphal Entry" of Jesus into Jerusalem. While theologians refer to this passage as such, was it really a triumph? At first glance, it would appear so, but upon closer examination we will find that not all is as it seemed. Just like I did with some of those old songs, they did not really understand what they were saying. What is worse, is that they made the same mistake a few days later and millions have paid the price ever since. They "loved the music but didn't pay attention to the lyrics".
Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 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. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "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.' "
So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. Matthew 21:1-6 (NKJV)
This is a Gospel account that is obviously one of the most important. Why? All three Gospel writers--Matthew, Mark, Luke and John--all write on Jesus' Triumphal Entry. Each writer, of course, gives a slightly different angle on the account, and in this weeks devotionals we will show these differnt views.
Jesus comes in from the east, from the little hamlet of Bethphage whose sole claim to fame is found here in the story of the Triumphal Entry; the town does not exist anymore, and it's location is not precisely sure. Bethphage was located near the village of Bethany, where Jesus had visited with Mary, Martha and Lazarus many times before and it is thought that during Passion Week (the last few days leading up to the Crucifixion) that Jesus may have stayed with them in the evenings.
Jesus sent his disciples on a mission: provide transportation. In layman's terms, Jesus said "In the next village, you will immediately find a donkey and it's colt.". Upon entry to the town, it would be very obvious immediately which donkey it would be.
The Life Application Bible Commentary notes "Donkeys and their colts were valuable; this could be compared to borrowing someone's car. So Jesus, sensitive to this fact, told them to explain that the colt would be returned." Back a few months ago, our Adult Bible Study teacher Dave Staggers noted in his study of Genesis that if you look at the story of Joseph that donkeys were considered to be valuable (compare Genesis 43:18) and might have been a status symbol like perhaps a Cadillac or a Rolls Royce. However, the donkey was a means of transportation for most Jews of Jesus' era, and we also "beasts of burden"; no one could afford horses which had a different use and symbolism which we will discuss in a devotional later this week. I guess that a donkey, then would be like a four wheel drive truck would be today, but not a King Ranch!
Not only would they find the donkey, Jesus assures them that when objections arise (Mark notes bystanders objecting, Luke notes that the owners question them). Jesus instructed them to state "The Lord needs them.". There's some discussion about whether Jesus set this up in advance (the owners already knew) or that perhaps it was that in His omniscience (being all knowing) that this would be the case. I favor the latter, and have a specific reason.
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "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.' " Matthew 21:4-5 (NKJV)
As we have discussed before, it has been said that one out of every four verses in God's Word is prophecy. Prophetic accounts are one of the litmus tests by which God's Word--the Bible--proves to be the real deal. Prophecy is the fortelling of a future event, with some prophecies already being fulfilled and others still yet to be fulfilled. In today's Scripture, we see one of the fulfillments of prophecy from many years before.
This passage is a fulfillment of the below passage:
"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. Zechariah 9:9
Let's examine a few key points. First, the term "daughter of Zion" is a reference to Jerusalem. Zion is one of the hills that Jerusalem is built upon, and the terms Zion and Jerusalem are often interchangable and synonymous. Other times in God's Word we see Tyre and Babylon referred to in a similar fashion.
The next thing that you will notice is that there are some key words and/or phrases missing in the Matthew reference. J. Vernon McGee noted in his Thru the Bible Commentary: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion" is omitted. Why? Because our Lord is not coming into Jerusalem for that time of rejoicing. That will take place at His second coming.". Later in Matthew 23, Jesus weeps over an unrepentant, rejecting Jerusalem; it was not to be viewed as a time of rejoicing, but instead a time of sorrow as Jesus would suffer in a way that those for whom He would die would not: separation from God.
Second, "Matthew also omitted "He is just, and having salvation." Our Lord's coming to Jerusalem was an act of mercy and grace, not an act of justice or judgment. He did have salvation for them, but they refused to accept it (John 1:11)." (Warren Wiersbe, Bible Exposition Commentary). Two words that we should be very careful of using in are justice and deserve, especially in tandem. The truth of the matter is that if God were to really lower his justice upon us, giving us what we deserve, we would all be in Hell forever!
When Jesus came to earth at His birth (the Incarnation), he came in a lowly fashion--born in a manger, a cattle trough in a stable. His entry into Jerusalem, while it would have elements that represented Him as a king, there were also elements of humility. Adam Clarke notes: This entry into Jerusalem has been termed the triumph of Christ. It was indeed the triumph of humility over pride and worldly grandeur; of poverty over affluence; and of meekness and gentleness over rage and malice. He is coming now meek, full of kindness and compassion to those who were plotting his destruction! He comes to deliver up himself into their hands; their king comes to be murdered by his subjects, and to make his death a ransom price for their souls!--JH
They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
Matthew 21:7-8(NKJV)
The Coats Off Of Our Backs
Sometimes we look at passages from the Bible with the idea of finding some special meaning when in truth we should just take what God's Word says at face value. I was just talking to some friends recently about how some preachers get so caught up in the miniscule points that they "can't see the forest for the trees". The fellow mentioned that a key bone of contention amost some people was whom was seated where at the Last Supper, but lost in the discussion was the idea that Jesus was giving an ordinance of the church that showed the love He had for His people, and it was a rememberance of the great sacrifice He did for us.
With that said, let's examine first the practical point over verse 7. These donkeys, both the momma and child donkey, were brought to Jesus. Why were both brought? One thought is that the presence of the momma donkey was to calm the child donkey, and while that might be the case don't you think as well that if Jesus could calm a storm he could calm a donkey colt? John MacArthur notes "We also learn from those other two gospels that the colt had never been ridden (Mark 11:2; Luke 19:30). It was a gesture of respect and honor to offer such an animal to someone, as if to say 'This animal has been reserved especially for you.'"
Now lets look at the practical, but also the figurative. When the disciples laid their garments on both donkeys, it may have been a thought that they did not know which one Jesus would ride but in any case it was to provide padding for unsaddled animals. Again, practical. However there is a symbolism that the Jewish crowd would not have missed; in 2 Kings 9, a servant of Elisha was sent to a commander named Jehu to be anointed the successor to evil King Ahab, the husband of the notorious Jezebel. Upon Jehu's confession to his men, "each man hastened to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets, saying, 'Jehu is king!'"(2 Kings 9:13, NKJV). We can see both the practical and the illustrative in here in verse 7.
Now if we look at the next verse, we see the same action, the throwing of their clothes (coats, NASB) on the road harkening back to the passage from 2 Kings. A. T. Robertson comments in Robertson's Word Pictures that there is a tense change in the term for "spread" that shows a great enthusiasm and vigor and that"when the colt had passed over their garments, they would pick the garments up and spread them again before."
We see in the Gospel of John that the branches here were palm branches (John 12:13); palm branches were indicative of triumph and victory, and were often waved at the entry of conquering kings in a victory parade. The crowd were welcoming Jesus as a King...but did they really know what they were saying?-
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!" And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee." Matt 21:9-11 NKJV
This entire passage of Scripture would have been during the time of the Passover, the rememberance of the "passing" of the angel of death "over" the nation of Israel during their captivity in Egypt (Exodus 11,12). Jews would celebrate the Passover feast as commanded; John MacArthur notes: During a census taken about ten years after this time, the number of sacrificial lambs slaughtered at the Passover was determined to be some 260,000. Because one lamb was allowed to be offered for up to ten people, the worshipers in Jerusalem that week could have numbered over 2,000,000. The city of Jerusalem would have been packed full of people!
There were basically four groups of people that we see in this entire section of Scripture: Those close to Jesus, the disciples; those that had witnessed or knew quite well of the ministry of Jesus; those that lived in Jerusalem that had no clue as to whom He was (again, remember that when in Jerusalem He kept a low profile) and fourth, the religious elite of the day (Pharisees, Scribes, etc).
The multitudes--those who knew of the ministry of Jesus, perhaps witnessing his miracles--not only welcomed him in, they were expecting Him to be the Messiah. They were expecting Him to be the prophecied King. However, the king they were looking for was not the King that they were welcoming into the town.
These multitudes were shouting the term "Hosanna!". This term means "save us now". Also, they were shouting that Jesus was the "Son of David", which is a Jewish term for the Messiah. These multitudes were right, but they were wrong. What do I mean by that?
The multitudes were looking for a Messiah predicted by the prophet Isaiah:
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isa 9:6-7, NKJV
While it is true that this speaks of the Messiah--Jesus--this was not why Jesus came when He did and how He did. Isaiah 53 shows a picture of how and why Jesus came; to be rejected of men, to be crucified, to be made a specticle, to be as a Passover Lamb led to the slaughter. More on this tomorrow.--JH
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!" And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee." Matt 21:9-11 NKJV
If you remember from yesterday's devotional, there are four groups of people that are in attendence: disciples; those that knew Jesus or knew his ministry; those in Jerusalem that did not know of Him; the religious elite.
The Jews were under great persecution and oppression by the Romans. The Romans had their feet on the necks of the Jewish nation, and the Jews longed to be free. They were looking for the Messiah to come, but were looking for a Messiah that would overthrow the Romans and make the Jews the favored people of the world. They did not see that Roman persecution was the second worst problem that they faced; the worst problem they had was what Jesus came to save them from: sin. Roman persecution, as horrible as it was, would only last during this lifetime; an eternity apart from God is much, much worse!
All of these multitudes--perhaps over a million--knew whom Jesus was, knew of or personally witnessed his ministry and miracles and were convinced that they had their conquering Messiah.
However, when Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey, it did show that He was royalty but the symbolism did not show him to be a conquering king. How? Conquerors would ride into town with a victory parade, most often with captives and his own victorious troops in tow; but most importantly the conquering king would ride a horse of victory. Jesus comes into town on a donkey, and came in humility. When He returns at the second coming He will return on a white horse (Revelation 19).
Now look at the last part of this passage, verses 10 and 11. All of the city--that would be people that really did not know whom Jesus was--were moved. In the Koine Greek, a better translation would be "shaken", as if there were an earthquake. To be concise, they were all shook up over the entry of this man.
But, in common vernacular, these people in Jerusalem asked "Who is this Guy?". Because of the low profile of Jesus ministry, they did not know. However, look at the surprising reply: This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.". Did they say he was the Messiah? No. Did they say He was God in human flesh? No. With their mouths they were saying the lyrics of a good song--"Here is our saving Messiah" when Jesus came into town--but they just thought Him to be a powerful prophet.
Yet, even His own disciples did not understand. It was only later that they came to understand the full weight of whom Jesus was and what He did (John 12:16).
