Palm Sunday • 2024

The Triumphal Entry

La Entrada Triunfal

Zechariah 9:9 NLT

9 Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.

Zechariah 9:9 NVI

9 ¡Alégrate mucho, hija de Sión! ¡Grita de alegría, hija de Jerusalén! Mira, tu rey viene hacia ti, justo, salvador y humilde. Viene montado en un asno, en un pollino, cría de asna.

The prophet Zechariah wrote these words to the people of Jerusalem approximately 2500 years ago, demonstrating that what God said in Isaiah 46:9-10 has always been true, still continues to be true, and will always be true...

Isaiah 46:9–10 NIV

9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’

Isaiah 46:9–10 NVI

9 Recuerden las cosas pasadas, aquellas de antaño; yo soy Dios, y no hay ningún otro, yo soy Dios, y no hay nadie igual a mí. 10 Yo anuncio el fin desde el principio; desde los tiempos antiguos, lo que está por venir. Yo digo: Mi propósito se cumplirá, y haré todo lo que deseo.

Jesus entering on a donkey was foretold 2.5 millennia (milenios) before it actually took place!!!

The Bible says that Jesus left Jericho Mat. 20:29 and headed down to Jerusalem. Interesting that he is leaving a place where God once tore down some physical walls… now he’s on his way to tear down some spiritual ones!!!

Today is Palm Sunday, on this day we celebrate our Lord’s Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem!

On this day he entered Jerusalem as a king.

this day marks the beginning of Holy Week.

In preparation for the agonizing final stretch on His way to the cross. (En preparación para el agonizante tramo final de Su camino asi a la cruz.)

This story is found in 4 different gospels:

• Matt 21:1–11

• Mark 11:1–11

• Luke 19:28–40 (v. 40 – If they hold their peace; the stones would immediately cry out. v. 41 – He wept over the city.)

• John 12:12–19 (Only one that mentions palm fronds.)

Today we will focus on the story as told by Matthew. Go with me to...

· · Matt 21:1–11

Matthew 21:1–11 NLT

1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” 4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ” 6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” 10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 21:1–11 RVR60

1 Cuando se acercaron a Jerusalén, y vinieron a Betfagé, al monte de los Olivos, Jesús envió dos discípulos, 2 diciéndoles: Id a la aldea que está enfrente de vosotros, y luego hallaréis una asna atada, y un pollino con ella; desatadla, y traédmelos. 3 Y si alguien os dijere algo, decid: El Señor los necesita; y luego los enviará. 4 Todo esto aconteció para que se cumpliese lo dicho por el profeta, cuando dijo: 5 Decid a la hija de Sion: He aquí, tu Rey viene a ti, Manso, y sentado sobre una asna, Sobre un pollino, hijo de animal de carga. 6 Y los discípulos fueron, e hicieron como Jesús les mandó; 7 y trajeron el asna y el pollino, y pusieron sobre ellos sus mantos; y él se sentó encima. 8 Y la multitud, que era muy numerosa, tendía sus mantos en el camino; y otros cortaban ramas de los árboles, y las tendían en el camino. 9 Y la gente que iba delante y la que iba detrás aclamaba, diciendo: ¡Hosanna al Hijo de David! ¡Bendito el que viene en el nombre del Señor! ¡Hosanna en las alturas! 10 Cuando entró él en Jerusalén, toda la ciudad se conmovió, diciendo: ¿Quién es éste? 11 Y la gente decía: Este es Jesús el profeta, de Nazaret de Galilea.

It is important to note that Jesus wrote in on a donkey. Why not a horse?

If he had rode in on a horse the message would have been that of a conquering king, ready for battle. But the fact that he chose a donkey indicates humility and sends a message that he is the one who brings peace.

A donkey is generally seen as a humble creature. An animal that exists solely to work and to serve.

Matthew 20:28 NLT

28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:28 RVR60

28 como el Hijo del Hombre no vino para ser servido, sino para servir, y para dar su vida en rescate por muchos.

In Mark’s telling of this story he mentions that no one has ever ridden this colt...

Mark 11:2 NLT

2 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.

Mark 11:2 RVR60

2 y les dijo: Id a la aldea que está enfrente de vosotros, y luego que entréis en ella, hallaréis un pollino atado, en el cual ningún hombre ha montado; desatadlo y traedlo.

This is an important distinction because, like in the Old Testament, animals that were to be used for sacred purposes such as sacrifices had to be animals that were perfect, without blemish, and that had never been used to do any sort of labor.

So donkey was about to perform the sacred duty of carrying the Messiah. (Entonces el burro estaba a punto de realizar el deber sagrado de llevar al Mesías.)

But non the less... he chose to come in on a donkey!

The king of kings could have come in with a parade on an elephant or a massive Clydesdale stallion but instead he chose a donkey.

This is the message of the triumphul entry: HUMILITY

Humility in the Bible is presented as the practice of meekness, obedience to God, respect of self and others, submissiveness and modesty (see Colossians 3:12-13). People with humility put others' needs before their own, sacrificing for the love of others.

Colossians 3:12–13 NLT

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Colossians 3:12–13 NTV

12 Dado que Dios los eligió para que sean su pueblo santo y amado por él, ustedes tienen que vestirse de tierna compasión, bondad, humildad, gentileza y paciencia. 13 Sean comprensivos con las faltas de los demás y perdonen a todo el que los ofenda. Recuerden que el Señor los perdonó a ustedes, así que ustedes deben perdonar a otros.

Humility before God is nothing if not proved in humility before men. -Andrew Murray

La humildad ante Dios no es nada si no se demuestra en humildad ante los hombres. -Andres Murray

In verse 9 it appears as if the people can perceive that Jesus is the Messiah...

Matthew 21:9 NLT

9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”

Matthew 21:9 RVR60

9 Y la gente que iba delante y la que iba detrás aclamaba, diciendo: ¡Hosanna al Hijo de David! ¡Bendito el que viene en el nombre del Señor! ¡Hosanna en las alturas!

Although for a moment, it appeared that the people could perceive that Jesus was in Messiah... unfortunately many didn’t recognize Jesus for who he really was!

Many people thought that Jesus was ready to start a military revolution and overthrow the Roman Empire that was oppressing them. They wanted a military & a political Jesus. So that’s what they saw in their minds.

When they realized that is not what Jesus was offering… many turned on Him and a week later would be screaming “crucify Him!”

They only saw the Jesus that they wanted him to be. And in doing so they failed to see the Jesus that He really was.

Sadly, for many that is still the case today.

Many people want to have their own personal Jesus. A Jesus that only exists to serve them, to fulfill their needs, and to grant them their wishes. And once again very few are able to see and accept the Jesus that is being offered.

A humble servant Lord, who has come to set the captives free, not from Rome but from the law of sin and death. So that those of us who were once lost now have a blessed hope of a glorious future with Him for all of eternity!

The message of Palm Sunday is: Humility & service.

that is what He is calling us to be and to do.

Matthew 20:26–28 NIV

26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:26–28 NVI

26 Pero entre ustedes no debe ser así. Al contrario, el que quiera hacerse grande entre ustedes deberá ser su servidor, 27 y el que quiera ser el primero deberá ser esclavo de los demás; 28 así como el Hijo del hombre no vino para que le sirvan, sino para servir y para dar su vida en rescate por muchos.

Jonathan Edwards once said, “The best protection one can have from the devil and his schemes is a humble heart.”

Jonathan Edwards dijo una vez: "La mejor protección que uno puede tener contra el diablo y sus maquinaciones es un corazón humilde".