Matthew 21:1-11 Amplified Bible
The Triumphal Entry
21 When they approached Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples [ahead], 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and at once you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you should say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and without delay the owner will send them [with you].” 4 This happened so that what was spoken by the prophet would be fulfilled, saying:
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“Tell the daughter of Zion (the people of Jerusalem),
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Gentle and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
6 Then the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and they brought the donkey and [a]the colt, and [b]placed their coats on them; and Jesus sat on the coats. 8 Most of the crowd spread their coats on the road [as before a king], while others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of Him, and those that followed Him, were shouting [in praise and adoration],
“[c]Hosanna to the Son of David (Messiah);
Blessed [praised, glorified] is He who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest [heaven]!”
10 When He entered Jerusalem, all the city was trembling [with excitement], saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
Triumphal Entry? Great Expectations? A King on His Donkey?
At first observation after a few readings of this narrative account of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, I realized something about the two images disconnected.
The picture would have been perfect if Jesus had been riding a white horse, used in those days by warrior kings to symbolize conquering power, decisive victory.
But the narrator Matthew specifically highlighted: Jesus rode on the back of a donkey – the disciples celebrated and paraded their Messiah King on a donkey.
Why?
What image were they hoping, planning to project to the gathered crowds?
What were they expecting the gathering crowds to see and understand of this?
What of the gathering crowds at the gates of the city of Jerusalem?
What were their expectations of the coming of their “Messiah King?”
What were we expecting to see?
What “coming new thing” were we expecting to learn about or be reminded of?
An unarmed conquering warrior Itinerant Master Rabbi?
Long ago, prophet Zechariah said the Messiah would come in righteousness, riding on a donkey, a symbol of humility and peace (Zechariah 9:9 Amplified).
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King (Messianic King) is coming to you;
He is righteous and endowed with salvation,
[a]Humble and unassuming [in submission to the will of the Father] and riding on a [b]donkey,
Upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Though most of the people would have probably seen Jesus fulfilling this prophecy as their Messiah (see also Psalm 118:25-26 Amplified),
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O Lord, save now, we beseech You;
O Lord, we beseech You, send now prosperity and give us success!
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Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord [you who come into His sanctuary under His guardianship].
Jesus came in triumph into His city under God’s guardianship, they expected him to announce the arrival of a war of rebellion against Roman oppressors.
But he didn’t.
Instead he had no army behind him, nobody is waving any swords or spears.
He was not even armed with a spear or a sword nor did anyone hand him one!
Perhaps with expectations crushed that’s why the chanting crowds changed their tune from “Hosanna” to “Crucify him!” 5 days later (Matthew 27:22-23).
Matthew 27:22-23 Amplified Bible
22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all replied, “Let Him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what has He done that is evil?” But they continued shouting all the louder, “Let Him be crucified!”
Considering our state of current events, I don’t guess, and I wont prophesize that things will have actually changed much from then until now, have they?
People are still willing to rally around the banner of Christ if it goes along with their own interests, if their expected understanding of Christ comes to them as they always expected, approved because their expectations have been fully met.
We also desire, even to go so far as to expect we can maintain a good Christian confession while trying to avoid standing too close to the lingering shadows of the cross, or getting too close to actually running to the tomb to see emptiness.
But Jesus, the King who actually rode on an actual donkey, calls us to actually examine our much paraded walk with him as we come to the cross this Friday.
Center yourselves and dig deep and CRY,
“Am I just here for the Parade?“
Am I just coming along side of everyone else, because everyone else is here right now or everyone else is going along for the ride because it all looks so very interesting and might even be a measure of fun or something I and my business might profit from?
If I have to actually get serious about all this, to decide between God and my job, my reputation, something else in my life—will I also change my expectations?”
The celebration of Palm Sunday is about King Jesus riding to the cross in total obedience to his Father – about His grace and peace come by way of the cross.
Will we with our packed luggage of preconceived expectations receive him in the same way he was presented by the Gospel narrator Matthew in chapter 21?
Our Expectations – A Humble, Triumphant King?
Matthew 21:5-11 Amplified Bible
5
“Tell the daughter of Zion (the people of Jerusalem),
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Gentle and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
6 Then the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and they brought the donkey and [a]the colt, and [b]placed their coats on them; and Jesus sat on the coats. 8 Most of the crowd spread their coats on the road [as before a king], while others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of Him, and those that followed Him, were shouting [in praise and adoration],
“[c]Hosanna to the Son of David (Messiah);
Blessed [praised, glorified] is He who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest [heaven]!”
10 When He entered Jerusalem, all the city was trembling [with excitement], saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Jesus was getting near the end of His ministry.
He had been telling the disciples that He would be killed.
Now He comes riding into the city, sitting on donkey’s foal.
This was to fulfill a prophecy made by Zechariah.
Kings, leaders, presidents and others in high authority are known for arriving with a lot of pomp and circumstance – it is expected to show them great respect.
There is always a lot of fanfare going on to bring in someone of high leadership.
Whenever the President of the United States arrives at a building where he is going to speak, he arrives with a great fanfare and a great entourage of people.
There are multiple vehicles in front and behind him.
When he walks out into a room, there is always some music playing, people rise up for him, and He is announced.
The same goes for famous celebrities.
Standing room only crowds
There is a lot of pictures and videos being taken.
All kinds of busyness, posting and sharing activity across social media outlets.
Celebrities arrive in a large limousine.
There is flashing of jewelry and expensive clothing.
There are red carpets.
There are lots and lots of television and journalists, and paparazzi’s.
It is a show of pride and luxury, with no sign of humility.
In many countries, when their leader arrives, there is also a great show of their military power.
Soldiers, weapons, and military equipment tour d’ force go paraded before the visiting leader to show who is in control and who exactly has all the power .
Jesus did not do any of this.
He came in riding on a baby donkey.
In the biblical times, a king would arrive on a horse showing great power.
Jesus did not show any of that, even though He had more power than all the kings on the earth combined.
He created the earth and all who are in it (John 1:1-5).
John 1:1-5 Amplified Bible
The Deity of Jesus Christ
1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word ([a]Christ), and the Word was with God, and [b]the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. 4 In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines on in the [c]darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].
The purpose of His arriving in that way, was to show love and compassion.
He is a king who can understand where people are, so He comes in humility.
Most people do not have the grand horse to ride on, but just have the donkey.
Even today, our Savior, our King Jesus comes to you in love and compassion.
He does have the power, but will not show a force of threat to get you to follow.
Jesus wants you and me to want to follow Him.
He understands where we and our “great expectations” are and is there for you.
As we proceed through this Holy Week,
Let’s take a slightly longer look at our “great expectations,”
our Godly versus Worldly priorities;
Matthew 6:33Amplified Bible
33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
He is not unapproachable.
He is not unknowable.
He is not unreachable.
He is not untouchable.
Do not fear your king.
Do not fear your Savior.
He is gentle.
He is always and forever in and within our very midst …
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
___Charles Wesley___ 1707-1788
I pray today that you will know this Jesus riding on the donkey’s back as your king; you will know Jesus is gentle and loving; that you and I will seek him as he seeks you and me to find Jesus in our life; that we will show His love and humility in your life. Lord Jesus, may we ever so lovingly and willingly obey you and joyfully follow you, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, Savior of us all, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 