1. The road was well known, but this journey was unique.
- Jesus had been on this road many times.
- Offers Himself as King.
“Behold your King is coming to you, lowly and sitting on a donkey” (Matt. 21:5).
- We may know our road, but Jesus knows our journey.
2. Why a donkey for this journey?
- Riding on a beast of burden, not royal recognition.
- Came in peace, not war.
- Only time Jesus ever rode, unique recognition.
- To fulfill prophecy.
“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” (Zech. 9:9).
3. We plan our journey; God takes care of our needs.
- Peter and John were sent to get the donkey.
“The Lord has need” (Matt. 21:3). God prepares hearts.
- “A colt tied, on which no one has set” (Mark 11:2). Submits to the Lord.
- For a saddle.
“They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments on it” (Mark 11:7).
4. There are different responses to Jesus on the journey.
- Sacrifice. “Spread their garments on the road” (Matt. 21:8).
- Recognition.
“Took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him” (John 12:13).
- Worship. “Those who followed cried out . . . ‘Hosanna’” (Matt. 21:9).
- Service.
“He sent two of His disciples . . . go loose him and bring him hither” (Luke 19:30).
- Recognition.
“When He came into Jerusalem all the city was moved, ‘this is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth’” (Matt. 21:11).
- Rejection. “Pharisee . . .‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples’” (Luke 19:39).
- Blinded. “His disciples did not understand at first” (John 12:16).
5. The journey was out of character for Jesus.
- He withdrew from the crowds, meek and lowly.
- “My time is not yet come” (John 2:5).
- The event was not spontaneous; Jesus planned it to announce Himself.
- God has a plan for Jesus, and for you.
6. The Sunday journey was the beginning of the end.
- The beginning of the last week of His earthly ministry.
- The beginning of the last Passover.
- The beginning of the last offer of the kingdom.
7. Jesus knows what will happen on the journey.
- Stops to weep.
“He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘if you had known . . . the days will come . . . your enemies . . . will surround you . . . and level you and your children . . . will not leave one stone upon another” (Luke 19:41-44).
- Focus on Jesus because He knows your journey.
8. The focus of the journey was Jesus.
- Your journey is not about you.
“The whole multitude began to rejoice, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 19:37-38).
- Seek Him. “Wise men still seek Him.”
- Yield to Him. Jesus has a plan for your life.
- Rejoice in Him. Because of what Jesus did.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
