Triumphant Entry

To answer the question that was brought up Wednesday about how many miles from Egypt to Israel, it is 358 miles from Cairo to Schechem (West Bank) where Joseph’s bones were taken by Moses.

We are told in scripture that Jesus started His journey the week prior to His death. During the week, He made the 135 mile trip from Capernaum to Jerusalem. All the way, He knew the finality of this journey. For the past three years He had been preparing the disciples for this time. Three years He had mentored, taught, discipled, and led these men knowing there would be a day when they would be without Him. It was this journey, though, that had to be made so that He could lay down His life for our sins.

Throughout the journeys leading to this one, Jesus had always told those He came in contact with to not tell others what He had done - the time was not right. Jesus was waiting until the time God’s timing was perfect. The time was drawing near, and He tells the disciples of His death and resurrection three times. Instead of listening, and comprehending what was getting ready to happen, the disciples were more interested in who among them was the greatest. They missed the whole point of what Jesus was trying to prepare them for.

I often wonder, how often Jesus tries to speak truth to us…and we miss the whole point. Concerned more about what we can get out of our relationship with Him than what He gave up for us to have a relationship with Him.

Can you imagine the feelings Christ had as He was getting ready to enter Jerusalem knowing the state of the heart of those closest to Him. Even as frustrating as it must have been, leading up to triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Matthew states Jesus took pity on a blind man and restored his sight. Jesus took pity on a man in need then, and I’m sure glad He took pity on a man like me…who needed Him just as much. I find it amazing that, even though He knew He would soon be facing death, that His whole being was focused on sinners like us.

As Jesus and the disciples came near to Jerusalem, He sent two to find a colt donkey, which would fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9:

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

And this is where we pick up in the Eleventh chapter of Mark. What we call the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. What Jesus knew as the beginning of the end.

The Beginning of the End

Mark 11:1–3 ESV

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’ ”

Jesus and the disciples were getting closer to Jerusalem, and stopped at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany. He would spend the last week of His life with some of His closest friends. While there, He would send two disciples to the village to find a young unridden donkey colt that would be tied up…waiting. Jesus had planned everything out…to the last smallest detail. From the moment He enters Jerusalem, Jesus is Lord and Master of every detail in His divine purpose. He even said if anyone stopped them to say “The Lord has need of it”. Jesus even foretells every detail.

Foretelling of Details

Mark 11:4–6 ESV

4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go.

Every detail spoken came true accurate to Jesus’ prediction. From the colt donkey being tied, to the preparing of the colt’s owner allowing it to be taken with simple words being spoken.

Jesus had been travelling, He had no way of making arrangements for these things to take place. It was God’s divine will being carried out, even in the smallest of details. Note the prophecy and the careful preparation Christ made to fulfill the prophecy. This says something: Christ was dramatizing His Messiahship so clearly that men could not fail to see and understand that He was God’s Messiah. All the preparations made were being fulfilled.

Preparations Made

Mark 11:7–8 ESV

7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields.

The colt is a symbol of peace. in ancient days the colt was a noble animal. It was used as a beast of service to carry the burdens of men. But more significantly, it was used by kings and their emissaries. When they entered a city in peace, they rode a colt to symbolize their peaceful intentions. This differed dramatically from a conquering king. When a king entered a city as a conqueror, he rode a stallion.

Jesus was the promised King, the Savior and He was not coming as a conquering King, but a peaceful servant.

Warren Wiersbe said “In fulfilling this prophecy, Jesus accomplished two purposes: (1) He declared Himself to be Israel’s King and Messiah; and (2) He deliberately challenged the religious leaders. This set in motion the official plot that led to His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The Jewish leaders had decided not to arrest Him during the feast, but God had determined otherwise. The Lamb of God must die at Passover.”

The cloaks were used to make a crude saddle, while the palm branches were used to pave the way.

These two items – cloaks and palm branches – carry significance. Spreading garments out for someone to walk on was more than an act of chivalry, and instead was a show of honor, an act of submission paid to royalty. Another depiction of this occurs in 2 Kings 9:13

2 Kings 9:13 ESV

13 Then in haste every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.”

While Jehu was a violent king, we can’t miss the fact that he destroyed Jezebel – the wife of Ahab who led Israel astray and tried to kill Elijah. Was not Christ riding into Jerusalem to do the same? To take away the sins of the world, removing the things that lead us astray through sin? I think those who would be shouting blessings and hosanna knew there was something different in Jesus.

Blessings and Hosanna

Mark 11:9–10 ESV

9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

Hosanna - was a word used in public worship which means “Save us, we pray”. How is it they recognized Jesus as the one who had come to save the world? Isn’t it ironic that these people who were literally shouting “Save Us” could very likely be the same ones shouting “Crucify Him” a week later. You see, He had come to save them by bringing spiritual peace through salvation.

We think of a large crowd gathering to usher Jesus in. During the time of Passover, more than two million would gather in Jerusalem. Undoubtedly there were many who had heard of Jesus and the miracles He had performed. You can imagine the excitement from the crowds as they expected to see this one who was God’s promised Messiah. But it would soon become a less joyous time, excitement would soon turn to anger, as those who were looking forward to seeing the one who would set them free - from the tyranny of Rome and the oppression they felt- instead speak of peace, not war. The king they expected was not what they received. The Messiah, their deliverer, didn’t bring the delivery they were looking for. Oh how the attitudes would change from the crowd. Yet Jesus would once again obediently follow His Father’s will.

Obedience

Mark 11:11 ESV

11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Jesus entered Jerusalem and immediately went to church. Can you imagine what was going through His mind as He looked around at “everything”. Taking in the hustle and bustle of the time and events leading up to the Passover. It was late. He was tired, but still obedient. He came to do God’s will. Could you imagine sitting there looking at the ones who would seek to put you to death in a few more days. The Jewish authorities were already upset, looking for any reason to take His life. Their anger towards Him grew increasingly intense. The time was drawing near. Jesus knew this, but He had to patiently stand there, facing what was to come with courage. Knowing it was the Father’s Will. Once all this had sunk in, He and he disciples left for Bethany so they could rest. Praying and preparing for what was to soon come.

Closing