The Triumphal Entry

29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples 30 and said, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent left and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 “The Lord needs it,” they said. 35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their clothes on the colt, they helped Jesus get on it. 36 As he was going along, they were spreading their clothes on the road. 37 Now he came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice 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 heaven! 39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.” 41 As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, 42 saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come on you when your enemies will build a barricade around you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you and your children among you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in your midst, because you did not recognize the time when God visited you.”

In this account, we often miss the symbolic details. This event that has been entitled the triumphal entry is truly about peace.

So what is peace?

“A pervasive concept in the Bible that most commonly relates to a relationship of love and loyalty with God and one another.”

I. Peace is a Person

A. The city of peace.

It is fitting that these events took place in Jerusalem. The name Jerusalem means

“Jerusalem” -the foundation of peace.

God chose this city to host the peace treaty for the entire world and for every generation to come.

It was in this place where the dirt held up the cross on which our lord was crucified.

Its ground held the tomb from which Jesus was resurrected.

It was the place where Jesus' life purchased peace for all mankind.

B. We see the image of Peace.

Luke 19:30–31 CSB

30 and said, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”

Why did Jesus need this foal, this young donkey?

This prophecy told hundreds of years before answers this very question

Zechariah 9:9 CSB

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

This prophecy clearly portrays the purpose of this scene. We See Jesus being pronounced as the coming king. The king has returned from war and has one. This victory has now ensured peace.

Romans 5:12 CSB

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.

Romans 5:15 CSB

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many.

What victory had been one? Adam was the best that humanity had to offer. Yet he failed to live according to God’s law. He sinned. He fell.

Then God became man. Jesus became man, and as he was marching toward his death, he had not sinned. He was the fulfillment of the righteous king. through his life, he defeated sin. He was victorious, and in doing so, he was the prince of peace. Soon the sacrifice of his perfect life would pay the ransom for you and for me. Ensuring eternal peace with God.

The crowd even began to chant this very thing.

Luke 19:38 CSB

38 Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!

But they didn’t understand the words they were saying. For they were looking for an earthly messiah to save them from their political circumstances instead of their souls from separation from God.

You see peace is freely given, but often missed.

II. Peace is Freely Given, but often missed.

The question is why? Why do we so often miss out on the peace that is offered us.

#1 the obvious answer is the one we see right in front of us, rejection of the gospel.

Luke 19:41–43 CSB

41 As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, 42 saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come on you when your enemies will build a barricade around you, surround you, and hem you in on every side.

Luke 19:44 CSB

44 They will crush you and your children among you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in your midst, because you did not recognize the time when God visited you.”

Everywhere the gospel is rejected chaos ensues. As our nation has forgotten Yahweh and our churches His Word our world plunges into turmoil and unrest.

Maybe we miss peace because even our churches no longer see Jesus as king. His word and decrees are optional to be followed when convenient or when we decide we are mature enough in the faith.

Or maybe we are more like the Jews than we would want to admit.

Maybe

#2 We too want a religion that would save us from our enemies.

Are you more motivated to pray for your nation than you are “His Kingdom come, His Will be done”

The Jews were excited by Jesus presence not because they were concerned with His kingdom but rather their own daily lives.

They were tired of being ruled by ungodly men who made their lives difficult. Does this sound familiar? So when Jesus came into the town, they cried Hosanna, Lord save us.

Lord save us…Save us from our political mess.

So then what is the answer? What is the solution? How can we have peace?

Look at this quote by D.L. Moody. (See back screen)

You see when we realize that peace is not something yet to come but is something God has granted us through the gospel right now, our outlook changes.

Jesus life, death, and resurrection has granted us peace with God. This is a present reality that should impacts both our future and our daily lives.

The reason why we don’t have peace is because we have forgotten we have a new king. We have forgotten that Jesus did not come to preserve the worlds systems, but rather create a new kingdom.

Jesus has won the victory for us.

He has made peace for us. It is in this understanding that change the way we live.

We have been granted entrance into the victorious kingdom. Why should we despair if this worlds kingdom shows signs of passing away. We know the new king and have gained entrance into perfect Kingdom. We should live as those who have peace

Church family Jesus is the prince of peace.

WE should not live as those who are shaken by uncertainty.

WE have the ultimate certainty. Listen to this prophecy.

Daniel 7:14 CSB

14 He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

Jesus riding in on a donkey was a symbolic action of his eternal kingdom. Peace is a person and it is Jesus Christ.