The King, The Temple, And The Tree - Matthew 21.1-22 (Part 1) Series

2025.08.17. Sermon Notes. The KING, The Temple, and The Tree_Matthew 21.1-22 (Part 1)

Welcoming the KING, Purifying the Heart, Bearing Fruit in Faith

BIG IDEA: The KING has come - not to meet our shallow expectations, but to rule our hearts, cleanse our worship, and produce in us a faith that is both pure and fruitful.

JESUS enters as the rightful KING, calls His people to pure worship, and expects genuine faith that bears spiritual fruit.

Arrival -> Cleansing -> Expectation

Scriptures: Matthew 21:1-22, Zechariah 9:9, Psalms 118:25-26, Isaiah 56:7,

Jeremiah 7:11, 2 Timothy 4:2-5, John 15:8, Galatians 5:22-23, James 1:6,

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 13:2, Mark 11:24

Matthew 21 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel, marking the beginning of JESUS’ final week before the crucifixion - often called the Passion Week. It’s full of prophetic fulfillment, sharp confrontations with religious leaders, and parables that expose the heart condition of GOD’s people.

Today we will look at Matthew 21:1-22 (Part 1)

Introduction

Imagine a leader arriving into town - crowds cheering, waving flags, shouting. In our day, we expect armored limos and media teams. But JESUS entered Jerusalem on a humble borrowed donkey.

• This chapter marks the beginning of the end — the final week before the cross.

• It’s filled with prophetic fulfillment, cleansing, cursing, confrontation, and parables — each revealing the heart of GOD and exposing the hearts of people.

I. THE KING’S ARRIVAL - WELCOMING JESUS - THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

Matthew 21:1-11

(Mark 11:1–10; Luke 19:28–40; John 12:12–19)

1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then JESUS sent two disciples, 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. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

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.’ ”

PROPHECY: 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.

6 So the disciples went and did as JESUS commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 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. 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!”

PROPHECY: Psalms 118:25-26 25 Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

11 So the multitudes said, “This is JESUS, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

KEY VERSE: “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)

SUMMARY:

• Preparation: JESUS sends two disciples to fetch a donkey and a colt — every detail already arranged (vv. 2–3).

• Prophecy Fulfilled: Zechariah 9:9 foretold a humble King bringing peace, not war.

• Crowd’s Response: People spread cloaks and palm branches (symbols of victory) on the road, shouting “Hosanna!” — meaning “Save us now!” echoing Psalm 118:25–26.

• Symbolism of the Donkey: In biblical times, a donkey signified peace; a warhorse signified conquest. JESUS’ choice revealed His mission as a spiritual Savior, not a political conqueror.

• Mixed Expectations: Many welcomed Him with praise but misunderstood His purpose – expecting a political savior to overthrow Rome. The people were seeking political deliverance rather than spiritual redemption.

KEY POINT: JESUS entered Jerusalem as a humble King offering peace and salvation - not as the military leader many expected, but for a greater conquest, not Rome’s throne, but our hearts.

JESUS didn’t come as the political savior; HE came as the Savior of souls.

APPLICATION:

• Am I welcoming JESUS for who He truly is — or only for what I want Him to do?

• Do my actions match my words of praise?

• Do I honor Him both in word (“Hosanna!”) and in life (obedience)?