The Triumphal Entry

THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

TEXT: MATTHEW 21:1-11

INTRODUCTION: This morning I want to look at the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. There are many aspects to His entry and things that followed that we will be looking at.

We will start in Matthews account and go to the other three accounts to see what each one adds to the story.

The first thing we want to look at is;

I. THE DONKEY

Vs. 1-2

A. The Omniscience Of Jesus

Jesus knew exactly where the donkey and her colt would be. He also knew that the owners would ask why the disciples were taking the donkey. How did Jesus know this? Because He is God, and God is omniscient, all knowing.

Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

There is no creature that is not seen by Jesus. Jesus even knows when a sparrow dies;

Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

It has been said that God is the only one present at a bird’s funeral.

Psa 50:11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

Now if Jesus knows even when a sparrow dies and knows every beast of the field and everything about them, you should know that He also knows everything about us.

Prov 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

God knows every evil thought and action, and if you die without salvation it will all be revealed when you stand before Him at The Great White Throne.

Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

And the disciples found the donkey just as Jesus said they would.

Luke 19:32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.

B. The Obedience Of The Donkey

Mark 11:2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

Whereon never man sat. Have you ever seen someone break a horse or pony or donkey? We used to have ponies when I was a kid. They don’t like to be sat on when they aren’t broke. It’s just like you may have seen in a western. They buck and buck and buck.

But this one didn’t.

Mark 11:7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

Why didn’t this donkey buck Jesus off? Because Jesus was God and God has command over the animals and they obey Him always.

This isn’t the first time God has used a donkey. Look at Numbers 22:21-33.

Balak the king of Moab was afraid of the children of Israel when they had left their captivity in Egypt and when he saw the great multitude he was afraid they would conquer him.

So he sent for the prophet Balaam and asked him to curse the children of Israel. God told Balaam that He shall not go with those that came for him because he was not to curse the children because they were blessed. But he went anyway. So we read.

God also used an animal to speak to a disciple of His. Although this animal didn’t speak in an audible voice the message was crystal clear.

The night of the last supper Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him three times before the cock crows, but of course, Peter didn’t believe Him. So we read in Luke 22:54-62.

Who do you think made that cock crow at that exact time? Jesus. Look at vs. 60-61.

If the animals are smart enough to obey God, why aren’t we?

Heb 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Dull = Slowness to perceive. Used of a mule. Many Christians are mule-headed.

I. THE DONKEY

II. THE FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY

Look at Mat. 21:5

Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

This was written hundreds of years before Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Prophecy is a big reason we know the Bible is God’s Word. No other religious book has prophecy. The Bible has been accurate 100% of the time.