Jesus: The King Arrives

Intro

This week we are continuing our easter series. Last week we talked about who Jesus was, and who Jesus claimed that he was, which is the Messiah. This week we are going to look into the Triumphal Entry

How Jesus Entered

Mark 11:1–7 (NIV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

11:1–10pp—Mt 21:1–9; Lk 19:29–38 11:7–10pp—Jn 12:12–15

11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”

So we see here that Jesus is in Bethany which is a small town outside of Jerusalem. Think kind of like Cridersville. He is travelling from Jericho which is about 20 miles from Jerusalem or about an 8 and half hour walk.

So before Jesus even gets to Jerusalem Jesus and the disciples had to be exhausted as they had been traveling all day long.

Next Jesus told the disciples that they would find a colt or foal, which we believe was actually a donkey that had never been ridden. Now donkeys arent quite like horses, they dont buck and go crazy when you try to ride them. They just tend to refuse to do anything when they get scared.

Mark 11:4–7 (NIV)

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.

So then when the disciples did what Jesus told them to do, they found a donkey just like He said.

Now I dont know about you but if I were the owner of that donkey I would have many more questions, but this shows us that God goes before us and prepares the situation before we even try to act. When He calls us to something.

People’s Reaction

Mark 11:8–10 (NIV)

8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“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 heaven!”

We see here that there was a great crowd lining the street that Jesus was taking into Jerusalem.

This entry would be very similar to the way King David or Solomon would have entered into Jerusalem as part of a large parade, when they returned home. However the difference between the two is that these people were there of their own free will.

Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem would kind of been like our super bowl championship parades or the red carpet at the awards shows.

We also see that the crowds were actually quoting out of the book of Psalms as Jesus was entering the city, but they were looking for Jesus to be an earthly king to over throw the Roman empire.

Jesus enters the Temple Courts

Mark 11:11 (NIV)

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

I find it very interesting that as Jesus completed His entry into Jerusalem he concluded his journey at the Temple courts.

However its very interesting that Mark states that Jesus looked around the temple courts but went to the house they were staying in because it was late.

So this makes me think what was Jesus looking at?

Mark 11:15–18 (NIV)

15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

I believe that Jesus saw that night that the people were buying and selling things there in the temple courts, and we know through many different Bible scholars that these people were charging much higher prices than normal at the temple to take advantage of the people that were there to sacrifice.

Also the scholars believe that Jesus entered the court of Gentiles, which is the only location where non-jews were allowed to worship, however these people had turned this area into a market and there was no longer anywhere for the gentiles to Worship God.

So I believe that Jesus saw all of these issues and yet He decided to wait until the next day to do anything about it.

I dont know exactly why He would have chosen to do this, but I think it does set a good example for us that when we see something that we dont like, we need to take a moment and instead of immediately reacting and saying something we would regret, Think on our response and then respond in a way that would glorify God.