A Victorious Second

Preliminary:

Introduction:

Today is known as Palm Sunday - it marks the beginning of what we call Passion Week - the last days before the crucifixion.

You can find the incident in several places in scripture

His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem as the Messiah (Mark 11:1–11; Mat. 21:1–11, 14–17: Luke 19:29–44; John 12:12–19)

The Setting of the Triumphal Entry

The triumphal entry took place during the Jewish festival of Passover.

The city of Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims who had come to celebrate the Passover.

Jesus and his disciples had come to Jerusalem as well.

In all three Gospel accounts, we see that Jesus instructs his disciples to find a colt for him to ride into the city.

This is significant because it fulfilled prophecy from the book of Zechariah (9:9): "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."

The Significance of the Triumphal Entry

While some were planning a kingship others were planning a crucifixion Mark 11:2-3.

Processions in the Bible happened in the context of

Worship - at times as part of the formal worship at the temple

Political or Military processions

At the Red Sea deliverance, Miriam led a procession of dancing women (Ex 15:20)

David and Saul returning home after victory of war (1 Sam. 18:6-7)

The spoils of war and captives in a triumphal entry could parade for two or three days and nights.

Zechariah prophecies that the Messiah would lead a procession

Zech 9:9 “9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.”

Notice the paradox - a triumphant and victorious king - yet who is so humble that he rides on a donkey

This famous moment fuses OT processions motifs, with Christ as he enters Jerusalem.

It was not an impressive exhibition by men’s standards

This was just a few children, some Galileans, peasants, and a man on a colt. Some palm branches and coats.

b. Today they shouted “Hosanna” but in a few days some would cry “Crucify”

II. While the people where preparing for an execution Jesus was preparing for an expiation

a. The Great Shepherd became the Great Sacrifice - And bound Jesus. --The Lamb of God: -

i. Fulfilled great types and shadow of the ceremonial and daily sacrifice

1. The lamb was watched four days

a. Jesus had been in Jerusalem four days

2. The lamb would be examined by the priests evening before sacrifice (it had to be spotless)

a. So Jesus was put through a mock trial examining his spotlessness. (Their witnesses couldn’t agree)

3. They would bind the lamb prior to sacrificing

a. So they bound Jesus …and carried him

b. Crown of thorns broke the curse of man (Gen 3:18)

c. What sounded like a call to Elijah was the call of the scapegoat

The victory that was expected and hoped for - was short lived

They cried HOSANNA - there were multitudes in Matthew 21:9 goingg before and following up - the whole city is moved (Matthew 21:10)

The triumph was short lived - he was not accepted - while some found it glorious as Zechariah foretold - the religious leaders rejected -

WHat should have been their deliverance it became their demise

But Jesus didn’t let the short lived procession stop him.

He didn’t give up - I preached some time back about him going the distance...

A little boy watched, fascinated as his grandmother gently rubbed moisturizing cream on her face. "Why are you rubbing cream on your face, Grandma?" he asked. "To make myself beautiful," she replied. A few minutes later, she began removing the cream with a tissue. "What's the matter?" the little boy inquired. "Are you giving up?"

The Relevance of the Triumphal Entry Today

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem has significant relevance for us today. Just as the people recognized Jesus as their king and praised him, so too should we recognize Jesus as our Lord and Savior and praise him for what he has done for us. The triumphal entry also reminds us that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy, and that he is the Messiah who has come to save us.

Furthermore, the triumphal entry reminds us that Jesus is coming again. The people were eagerly anticipating the coming of their Messiah, and we too should eagerly anticipate the return of our Lord and Savior. As we wait for his return, let us live our lives in a way that honors him and shares the good news of the gospel with others.

In conclusion, the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was a significant event that marked the beginning of the end of Jesus' earthly ministry. It fulfilled prophecy, demonstrated Jesus' identity as the Messiah, and signaled the beginning of Jesus' final week before his crucifixion and resurrection.