The King Enters Jerusalem
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Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Introduction
Introduction
As we continue our study in Luke, we come to the point where Jesus will be entering into at the time of the observation of the Jewish Passover Feast. As Jesus arrives in Jerusalem to observe the Passover Feast, he will ultimately be put to death for the sins of the world.
Before that will happen, however, we will find a number of important interactions and engagements between Jesus and various people in Jerusalem.
From the text that we will be considering this morning, we must see that as Jesus enters into Jerusalem, he does so with a full demonstration of His kingly authority.
Throughout this passage Luke is conveying to his readers that Jesus is the King!
As we go through it then, keep in mind that this is YOUR King if you are a Christian.
The picture that we find conveyed through these verses is that of a man exalted as King, and being given acknowledgement from His subjects.
As we come then to this passage, let us consider then this King’s arrival in Jerusalem.
The first main point as we turn to this passage is:
1. Preparations for the King (vv.28-34)
1. Preparations for the King (vv.28-34)
We begin with the context being set in verse 28...
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Keep in mind that they had just been in Jericho, and what unfolded in Jericho, both with the blind man being healed, and with Jesus’ encounter with Zaccheus is what builds up to this point.
We read the specific statement that Jesus now “went on ahead.” We should not overlook this in terms of its inclusion. It is very specific.
In Mark 10:32 we find the parallel of this verse, and it covers somewhat more detail in terms of the implicaitons of what Jesus was doing…
32 They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him,
The first thing that we see here is that Jesus was fully cognisant of what was to take place, and yet he was fully resolved to continue on this path. The fact is that he was going on ahead of the disciples. He was taking the lead, despite the fact that it was his own death that would result.
We see from Mark that His resolve was so noticeable that the people around him were both amazed and fearful!!!
As we go on we read…
29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
We see that Jesus is approaching the towns of Bethphage and Bethany. Bethany is situated on the eastern slope of Mt. Olivet. Mt. Olivet lay to the East of Jerusalem, with the Kidron Valley situated in between.
The Knowledge of Jesus
There are two options here.
One is that this was a pre-arranged scenario. Jesus had known the person who owned the colt, and he had arrange in advance for this colt to be ready for him.
However, there is no indication in the text. More likely, Jesus had a clear knowledge and understanding because of His divine nature, much the same as the time he saw Nathanael sitting under the fig tree before coming to meet with him.
Either way, what is extremely important here is that Jesus was preparing his mode of entry into Jerusalem. And the mode of entry into Jersualem would be in fulfilment of prophecy.
Before we look at the prophecy itself, we need to note that the colt that is referred to here is the colt of a donkey.
2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me.
Christ was preparing the colt of a donkey for his entrance to Jerusalem.
In terms of the prophecy then, Christ was bringing to fulfilment the prophecy of Zechariah from Zech 9:9
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
He is just and endowed with salvation,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Now, immediatley as we read that prophecy, and then see what it is that Christ is doing here, we see that he was being very intentional about his kingship. The prophecy of Zechariah speaks about “your king coming to you...”
There was no small point being made in this case. This in itself was a bold proclamation by Jesus.
But there is a little more to it than this.
If we go back to the Old Testament, particularly to the account of David, we find that it was King David that rode a mule. When David wanted his son Solomon anointed King, we find his instructions in 1 Kings 1:32-35
32 Then King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” And they came into the king’s presence.
33 The king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have my son Solomon ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.
34 “Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there as king over Israel, and blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’
35 “Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne and be king in my place; for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.”
As Jesus was preparing for his entrance into the holy city - the city where David Himself had sat as king, and Solomon after him, he would enter into the Holy City riding on a mule.
One further point should be noted from this verse. The colt had never been ridden by anyone… This is specifically stated by Jesus, and forms part of the very instructions to his disciples.
The significance of this is that an animal that had never been ridden before would be fit for sacred purposes.
2 “This is the statute of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying, ‘Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed.
3 “It shall be that the city which is nearest to the slain man, that is, the elders of that city, shall take a heifer of the herd, which has not been worked and which has not pulled in a yoke;
7 “Now therefore, take and prepare a new cart and two milch cows on which there has never been a yoke; and hitch the cows to the cart and take their calves home, away from them.
Jesus was seeking not only the colt of a donkey, demonstrating his kingly status, but also a colt that had never been ridden, demonstrating the sacred, holy mission taking place.
As we continue, we read...
31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
This may indicate that the owners of the colt were familiar with who Jesus was, probably friends of Jesus.
Alternatively, Jesus was simply speaking with authority, and knew the precise words that would move the owner to release the colt for its duty.
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.
We must see the perfection of this scenario. Jesus was acting in a prophetic manner here.
To know for certain that the colt would be tied just upon arrival, without a shadow of doubt, required perfect knowledge from Jesus.
He is indeed our great prophet.
33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
Once again, things unfold exactly how Jesus had said. The owner asks why they’re untying the colt, and they reply as Jesus had instructed. And as we will see,
They answer exactly as Jesus had said they should, and this led the owner to release the calf and allow it to be taken with them.
It’s worth commenting here that Practical application:
Besides the 12 that followed Jesus where he went, there were many others who stood ready to serve Jesus in practical ways. Jesus would have had supporters and followers in various towns around there.
When Christ needed lodging, or a meal, or a colt, or a room to prepare the passover meal, there were people that were willing to support and sustain him.
Are we at work in the service of our master?
2. Praise for the King (vv.35-38)
2. Praise for the King (vv.35-38)
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.
36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
The disciples duly brough the colt to Jesus, and prepared for him a saddle by making use of their cloaks.
Having prepared the saddle, they then put Jesus onto the colt.
The crowd responded to what was taking place by taking their own coats, and throwing them down on the roadway as the colt continued on its way with Jesus on it.
We’ve already seen from the account of David and Solomon that Jesus mounting the donkey was a sign of his kingship.
We must also note that the people throwing their coats on the ground also was an act of homage to a king.
1 Now Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Gird up your loins, and take this flask of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth-gilead.
2 “When you arrive there, search out Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in and bid him arise from among his brothers, and bring him to an inner room.
3 “Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, ‘Thus says the Lord, “I have anointed you king over Israel.” ’ Then open the door and flee and do not wait.”
The above unfolds, and the young prophet anoints Jehu king. We read just after this had happened, and the people that were with Jehu at the time enquired as to what the prophet said, he replied...
2 Kings 9:12–13 (NASB95)
12 .... “Thus and thus he said to me, ‘Thus says the Lord, “I have anointed you king over Israel.” ’ ”
13 Then they hurried and each man took his garment and placed it under him on the bare steps, and blew the trumpet, saying, “Jehu is king!”
In the parallel accounts in the Gospels, we read also of branches being thrown down on the road in order to prepare the way. The fact is that the entire crowd was involved here in the acknowledgement and support of Jesus as a King.
As a crowd, they were preparing the way of Jesus as king to enter into the city of Jerusalem, and to do so with honour as an anointed King.
As we go on in our passage, we note that it wasn’t merely in their actions of laying down coats that demonstrated an acknolwedgment of Jesus as King. Rather, it came through in their response of praise to God.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Luke notes in verse 37 that these praises began as Jesus was descending the mount of olives in the direction of Jerusalem. He had mounted the colt in Bethany, and had ascended to the top of the Mount from the East, and was now descending on the Western side of the slopes towards the Kidron Valley which through which he would pass in order to ascend into Jerusalem.
As Jesus is descending the Mount of Olives, suddenly the crowd begins to cry out in praise and worship. Our text tells us that they praised God “joyfully with a loud voice.”
A couple of things are worth noting here.
Firstly, the praise that is being offered up here is from the crowd of disciples / followers of Jesus, and not from those in Jerusalem itself.
Beyond this, we must see that their praise was filled with joy.
This was an exhuberant and excited crowd. It was a moment of massive significance for them. In the minds of the crowds, they were anticipating a true king and deliverer for them.
Their minds would have been on the fact that a Roman rule over them would finally be brought to an end, as they had their own king established, a conquering king. Now, they were certainly mistaken as to the nature of Christ’s kingship, but you can just picture the excitement that must have filled them.
We see also that their shouts were loud!! This significantly sizeable crowd was shouting loudly at the coming of the King, singing praises to God.
Our verse tells us further that they shouted with joy for “all the miracles which they had seen.” They were exhuberant and full of life and energy because of the miracles that Jesus had been performing.
While Luke recorded four miracles only in this travel narrative as Jesus was heading to Jerusalem, certainly the people would have been aware of the many other miracles that Jesus had performed.
That would have included the raising of Lazarus from the dead, at Bethany. This crowd would certainly have been well familiar with the works of Jesus. They were now responding accordingly.
Very important are the words that were being shouted by this crowd. We must see the weightiness of their songs of praise.
Firstly, we see that they cry out “blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.” They were praising God for the arrival of the King!!
As they sang here, they were quoting Psalm 118:26
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
Interestingly, this was one of the Psalms that were sung during the Passover feast. This was the time of the Passover, and they were singing this song in light of Jesus approaching Jerusalem. In essence, they were speaking to Jesus as the blessed one comign in the name of the Lord.
Beyond this, we need to see, also, that Psalm 118 was a distinctly Messianic Psalm. One verse in particular that would stand out is Psalm 118:22
22 The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief corner stone.
Certainly, the people were singing praises to God because of the coming of the Messiah.
In addition to quoting Psalm 118:26, they went on to declare…
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” This was a declataion of Praise to God for the promised Messiah coming who they believed would bring peace.
It’s somewhat strange that they were declaring “peace in heaven.” No doubt they were anticipating peace in this world as a powerful ruler would ensure peace and stability for them as a people.
Nonetheless, their words of praise were entirely fitting. Peace was being brought between God and man through Jesus.
We must not fail to marvel at the grand declarations that were flowing out of the mouths of the people, these crowds following Jesus. They were exhuberant with joy. They were overflowing with praise for the king.
What a sight this must have been!!
I imagine the disciples themselves must have been extremely excited at what was taking place. They certainly believed JEsus to be the Messiah, and now they were seeing their Lord, their teacher, being treated as a king, and exalted as a king.
They must have been overwhelmed with a sense of anticipation themselves…
As we continue, however, we find that not everyone was supportive of Jesus.
3. Protests Against the King (vv.39-40)
3. Protests Against the King (vv.39-40)
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
Notice that these Pharisees were part of the crowds of people that were traveling with Jesus. They were mingled in with the crowds. We do not know how far they had traveled with Jesus, but certainly they were there, even very close to Jesus, as this large crowd was now approaching Jerusalem.
We recall from our study in this Gospel that their opposition to Jesus was great. And that is seen once again through verse 39. Upon hearing the cries of the people and the praises that they were bringing, the Pharisees were astounded. They were horrified in fact.
Their immediate call was for Jesus to rebuke his disciples.
Now, we must realise that these Pharisees were still utterly convinced in their own minds that Jesus was an imposter and a fraud. Despite all of the evidence that was before them through his life and ministry, they did not believe in Him.
Dear friends, if eye witnesses to the glorious miracles, and the powerful teaching, and the exemplary life of Jesus failed to believe in Him due to their hardness of heart, we should not wonder that there are still those today who will not believe in Him. It is indeed true that the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.
This was certainly the case with the Pharisees. Now, we need to understand that they were seeking to stop the praise and honour being given to a person that they believed to be an imposter. In that sense, we can understand their actions. We can understand why, in their own minds, they wanted to stop the crowds, and told Jesus to exhort them.
But they were entirely deceived. And this leads to a most powerful response from Jesus in verse 40…
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
This was a bold a striking statement by Jesus. So worthy and exalted was this Messiah King entering into the holy city, that he says if people will not cry out in praise for his arrival, then the stones around them will cry out. Dead, inanimate objects would sooner cry out than there be no praise of His arrival.
This is an absolutely astonishing statement by Jesus. We must not miss the implications, and what the Pharisees and other religious leaders would have thought about Jesus having heard these words.
Previously, when Jesus was confessed by Peter to be the Messiah, Jesus had told his disciples not to tell anyone else. There was a command to silence.
Things have now developed to the point where Jesus puts not brakes on the praises of the people, and the declarations of His Kingship. There is no command to silence, but rather quite the opposite.
At this point, the declaration of the Messiaship of Jesus is not only acceptable, but it is encumbent on the people. It is necessary. It must happen. If people would not cry out, stones would!!
Finally from our text, we see…
4. Proclamation of the King (vv.41-44)
4. Proclamation of the King (vv.41-44)
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it
This is an amazing response from Jesus.
Think about this. The crowds have been singing praise to God for the arrival of the King. They have exalted Jesus as king, placing him on the colt of a donkey, laying down their cloaks on the ground for Him, and singing praises on his behalf.
But Jesus is not coming with some self-exalted state of mind. He’s not revelling in the attention that he’s receiving. Rather, he is moved to weaping over the city of Jerusalem as he considers what is going to come upon this city because of their rejection of Him.
His attitude is not at all along the lines of, “You’re going to get what’s coming to you.” Rather, he’s moved to tears.
Judgment is a difficult topic - but an important one! Notice that judgment brings Jesus pain!!
It’s also striking over here that he’s moved to tears for Jerusalem and those who were opposed to Him, rather than for himself as he knows that His own death is about to take place. His focus and concern is not on Himself, but His concern is for those who would put Him to death.
Notice then what he says…
42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
We find in this verse a sudden breaking off of speech. Jesus begins to say, if you had only known this day what would bring you peace.... and suddenly the words stop. The sudden stop here reveals the strong emotions present as Jesus says these words.
He is saying that if only they could see this day… today, this king that was coming to you… this day what would bring you peace…
If only they could see that Jesus was coming in order to bring peace. Keep in mind that this is what the angels cried out in worship to God at the birth of Jesus back in Luke 2:14
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Here was the Messiah that was bringing peace, that very day, and yet they could not see it.
It was hidden from their eyes.
As Jesus continues, he prophetically foretells what is going to take place in this very city Jerusalem. Instead of peace, they are going to face significant destruction.
43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Jesus says in front of this crowd with all who are present that there is day coming where their enemies will come and besiege the city and destroy everything in the city.
Not only will they break down the walls, but they would kill all the people of the city.
Jesus goes so far as to say that they would not leave on stone upon another. This was not to be taken literally, but rather it was Jesus using the term to describe the fact that there would be utter destruction in Jerusalem. It would be an annihilation.
Note also that Jesus gives a reason for the destruction that would come, and this is at the end of verse 44. He says it is “because you did not recognise the time of God’s coming to you.”
It was precisely because of their rejection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, that God’s judgment would come upon them.
The Day of visitation ought to have been a day of great joy and celebration. It ought to have brought true peace to Jerusalem. But because Jerusalem would reject the Messiah, they would reject God’s chosen King, his own Son, God would bring destruction upon them.
This prophecy of Jesus would come to pass in A.D.70. That’s a very significant year for us as Christians to keep in our minds. At that time, Vespasian was the Roman Emporer.
Immediately on being proclaimed emperor in 69, Vespasian gave Titus charge of the Jewish war, and a large-scale campaign in 70 culminated in the capture and destruction of Jerusalem in September of A.D. 70.
The rejection of the true King led to severe consequences.
Application / Conclusion
Application / Conclusion
A.1. Jesus is King
A.1. Jesus is King
This has been clearly conveyed through our text.
The
A.2. Humility Marked Christ’s Kingship
A.2. Humility Marked Christ’s Kingship
Christ didn’t proclaim himself to be king… the people around him did.
He didn’t use his authority for power plays. Rather, he wept over Jerusalem.
He didn’t try to force the religious leaders to submit to him.
A.3. Two Responses to the King
A.3. Two Responses to the King
Response of the Crowds was to sing His praises, prepare his way.
Response of the religious leaders was to speak out against. They would ultimately be judged for their failure to submit. Destruction would come.
The same is true in our day. Two responses are possible.
Either we accept and embrace God’s chosen Messiah, the true king, or we can reject Him.
But let it be clear in our minds that there is no other way by which salvation comes.
12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
A.4. What is your response… ?
A.4. What is your response… ?
Have you professed Jesus as King, or are you opposed to His rule and authority.
Elaborate…
If this is the case, we should allow the manner of our lives to be the greatest demonstration of our submission to the king.