The Triumphal Entry- Matthew 21:1-17

Introduction

The road to the cross started different for Jesus than it did for the criminals who would be put on a cross. Jesus was arriving in Jerusalem and the Jews thought he was coming to set up His kingdom, but instead he was going to open the kingdom for everyman.

The Jesus they thought was going to set up His kingdom, instead came and showed them that their religious system was flawed, and they were in fact sinners in need of the Messiah.

This Morning I want us to look at The Triumphant Entry of Jesus and the cleansing of the temple.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy vs 1-7

The setting vs. 1

They were coming into Jerusalem but more specifically they were come to Bethphage.

Bethphage was a village about a half mile outside of Jerusalem

They were by the mount of olives on the south side of them

Every thing Jesus did, every place he went, every person he interacted with had a purpose. He didn’t just do things to do things, everything he did was for the mission which was to seek and to save that which was lost.

Jesus sends two of the disciples to go into the village of Bethphage. vs.

Jesus told them when they got into the village they would straightway or immediately find an donkey tied and she would have a colt with her.

When they found them they were told to lose them and bring them back to Jesus.

They were told if any man asked them what they were doing they were to tell them “The Lord hath need of them” and straightway the owner would let them have it.

This wasn’t done on accident, this was done to fulfill the prophecy found in Zechariah 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.”

Here for the first time Jesus presented himself publicly to the Jews as their promised Messiah and King.

Think about the different miracles Jesus did and sometimes he would tell people not to go and tell people, because the time hadn’t come for him to show himself as God, but now it was time for Him to reveal himself as Messiah.

The two disciples do exactly what Jesus had told them too vs. 6

Matthew is the only account that mentions this specific prophecy being fulfilled, but there is no doubt that the others knew.

They were seeing literal prophecy fulfilled in front of their eyes

After they get the donkey as instructed, they meet back up with Jesus and lay their clothes on the donkey, for Jesus to ride on.

While the kings or emperor of that day would ride in on a chariot with war horses and men in their armor leading prisoners they had captured into the city showing off the victory they had just won, the entry of Jesus would be different. Both Matthew and Zechariah describe the entry as a humble one.

Their king came unto them meek(Appropriately, humble, in an evangelical sense; submissive to the divine will)

He came not in a chariot but riding on a borrowed donkey.

Jesus could have made an entry however he wanted too. He could of had the pomp and circumstance but instead he rod into Jerusalem on a donkey, showing His humility.

Combining meekness and majesty, the Lord came into the city. His triumphant entry was His last appeal to Jerusalem to recognize its King.

Everything Jesus did on earth was for a purpose and was on mission, nothing he did was on accident, and today the same thing is true, nothing He is doing in our life is an accident, he does it for a purpose and Romans 8:28-29 remind us that everything that happens to us is to conform us to the image of Jesus.

The Reaction of the Crowds vs. 8-9

As word began to spread that Jesus was riding into jerusalem on a donkey a crowd began to form

Jesus did not make his normal low-key entrance into Jerusalem nor did he discourage popular demonstrations, the time was getting close to where he would reveal himself and this was just one prophecy that was fulfilled.

One Commentary said this, “The Lord did not just yield to the clamor of the crowd; He actually caused the clamor— for the purpose of fulfilling prophecy.

The Bible tells us a very great multitude spread their garments in the way.

They laid their garments on the road for his donkey to walk upon so that even the feet of his mount wouldn't have to touch the dirt trodden by ordinary common people.

They thought this king would surely set up his kingdom and throw off Roman oppression, but that’s not why he came.

They also cut branches from the trees and strawed or spread them in the way

They truly gave Jesus a kings entrance

As they entered the city they began to sing Psalm 118:25-29 as they did every passover.

The word Hosanna means “save now”

Jewish tradition says that Psalm 118:25-28 was chanted antiphonally as the people of Jerusalem welcomed pilgrims coming for the feast. The citizens of Jerusalem chanted the first part of the verse and the pilgrims answered with the second clause. When they reached the last verse of the Psalm both groups blended their voices to sing it in unison and then added Psalm 103:17 “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children;” as a conclusion.

Jesus recieved more than a pilgrims welcome though. The shouts could be heard all over the city. Look at Luke’s account in Luke 19:39–40 “And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”

The crowds noise bothered the Pharisees so much they told Jesus to hush his disciples and Jesus told them , I could do that, but if they held their peace the stones would cry out.

As believers do we worship Jesus in the proper way, God could’ve chosen anything to worship Him, but he chose us. Let’s give him the worship that he is worthy of.

The response of the religious leaders vs. 10 -11

As Jesus came into Jerusalem the city the Bible says the city was moved saying who is this

The city was shaken morally and spiritually from end to end.

When Jesus comes into our life it should be shaken both morally and spiritually. Jesus’ triumphant entry changed that city even if it was short lived. When Jesus came to live inside of you did it shake up your life? It should change the way we talk, the way we walk and the priorities we have.

While it likely didn’t bother the Romans because they were used to the Jews doing this kind of stuff every year it really enraged the Jewish authorities.

Jews from all over that had come to Jerusalem for the Passover and they were astonished, wondering who this man was that had caused such a stir.

They asked “who is this” and the multitude answered and got part of the answer right.

Jesus is indeed a prophet, but he was more than that. Jesus is Prophet, Priest and king, the only man to ever fulfill all those roles.

Do you know who Jesus is this morning, I never want to take it for granted that you know Jesus. If you don’t you can have a personal relationship with him and we can show you from the Bible how that is possible.

The Cleansing of the Temple vs. 12-14

As Jesus often did he went into the temple, but this time it was different he didn’t go to preach or heal, although he would, he came to first cleanse the temple.

He cast out those who were buying and selling

They were selling animals for the sacrifice and they were often sick or injured, therefore ruining the sacrifice

He overthrew the tables of the money changers

They were charging a fee to convert money that they had to have to buy the animals they were selling for a sacrifice

One commentator said this and it is so true even today “ If the temple is wrong, everything is wrong. Political reformers invariably make the mistake of thinking that they can cleanse society by attacking the social ills of mankind. What is needed is not reformation but regeneration. Society will be changed automatically if human hearts are changed. That is why Jesus went to the temple; that was just the place to begin. Israel needed radical heart surgery, not just a bandaid.

Look at Jesus’ accusation to those in the temple, as he quotes Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. They had turned the Holy Temple into a house of robbery.

Then Jesus went back and healed those in the temple who needed it.

The reaction of the religious leaders vs. 15-17

They saw the wonderful things he did

they heard the reaction of the people

Because of what they saw and heard they were sore or deeply displeased and kind of murmured among themselves about what was being said. They thought they were quiet enough but Jesus heard them.

Jesus answered them by asking if they had never read Psalm 8:2 and then left and went to Bethany to lodge there.

Conclusion

Jesus came into Jerusalem, being treated as a king, with people crying out Hosanna and the whole city was moved by his presence. When is the last time you were move by the presence of Jesus?

If you have never trusted Christ, you can be moved by his presence this morning. Jesus Christ came to earth to die for you and he was buried and rose again three days later so that you can have eternal life. Come this morning and we can show you from God’s word how you can be saved