The Presentation Of The Lamb

The Presentation of the Lamb

Mat 21:1-11

(Mk 11:1-10; Lk 19:28-40; Jh 12:12-19)

Mat 21:1-11 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.' " (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!" (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."

You know, one of the problems with preaching certain passages of Scripture every year at certain times of the year is the difficulty of finding something new to say. For instance, on Palm Sunday, after 2 or 3 years, what once might have been new and innovative becomes old hat and repetition of things said before. But, you know, I guess that’s one of the beauties of this old-time religion we’re all a part of. It is old and regardless of how many times we repeat ourselves, it is still the message of the ages concerning the most important series of events in all of human history. It’s historical, but like God’s compassions (Lam 2:22-23), it is new to us every morning! So, Gimme that old time religion. Gimme that old time religion. Gimme that old time religion, it’s good enough for me!

Now, originally, I planned on the title of this sermon to be “The Coronation That Wasn’t.” and that was because I wanted to point out that what so many have called the Triumphal Entry, really wasn’t. Preachers have called this event in the Lord’s life His coronation, but it really wasn’t that either. In my mind, the Lord Jesus Christ’s heavenly coronation occurred after He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high and was given the name which is above every name (Heb 10:12; Php 2:9). His earthly coronation will occur when He returns to earth, not riding a lowly colt of a donkey but a white charger and followed by the armies of heaven (Re 19:11-15). At that time, He will judge the world in righteousness, destroy the ungodly, establish His throne in Jerusalem, and then at the end of His millennial reign on earth, He and all who are His will live and rule throughout all eternity in the new heaven and the new earth!

In biblical times, a triumphal entry into a city would be conducted with a lot of fanfare. The victorious king or general would enter his home city with his army and prisoners in tow. There would be great rejoicing and singing of the praises of the king or general, mingled with ridicule and mocking of the conquered. At the end of the procession, the king would usually execute the leaders of the prisoners and enslave many of the others.

And coronations of new kings were not humble affairs by any means either. They also were conducted with much fanfare and in the presence of many people and with elaborate regalia, displays of great splendor, and pompous pageantry. The king would be dressed in his beautiful clothes and expensive jewels, and probably driven through town and the crowds lining the streets in an ornate carriage accompanied by an entourage of ranking court officials and foreign dignitaries. Also, coronations weren’t reversed just a few days later. They weren’t taken back, and the king placed on trial and executed later that same week.

No, the day that the Lord Jesus entered Jerusalem was not a Triumphal Entry nor a Coronation in the strictest sense. Also, the crowd’s delirious reaction that day was not a genuine expression of faith in and praise for Israel’s true King, because many of those same people who hailed Him when He entered Jerusalem would later in the week cry “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Many others, after the energy and excitement of the moment wore off, when asked, “Who is this?” would respond Mat 21:11 …"This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee." Not the “Messiah.” Not the true “King of Israel,” but “the prophet from Nazareth.”