Jesus' Triumphal Entry (3)

Scripture

The events in Jesus’ life from Palm Sunday until his crucifixion are sometimes referred to as the Passion of Jesus. The term comes from Acts 1:3a in the King James Version, “To whom also he [that is, Jesus] shewed himself alive after his passion.” During our services this coming week, I am going to present a sermon series that I am calling “The Passion of Jesus.”

I begin with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Let’s read about Jesus’ triumphal entry in Matthew 21:1-11:

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,

‘Behold, your king is coming to you,

humble, and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-11)

Introduction

In 1978, the Prime Minister of South Africa resigned. In that system of government, the majority party elects its leader and that person becomes the Prime Minister of the party and of the country. Thus it was that the National Party caucus convened to elect its leader and the next Prime Minister. They did so in the Parliament Building in Cape Town. There were three candidates on the ballot to become next Prime Minister: R. F. (Pik) Botha (who was the electorate’s favorite candidate), P. W. Botha, and Connie Mulder. There would be several rounds of voting before a candidate won the balloting.

Several thousand people gathered outside the Parliament Building. I was in the crowd that day. We knew that the doors would eventually open and the first person to walk out would be the new Prime Minister. After several hours of anticipation, the doors finally opened. To our disappointment, the first person to come out was P. W. Botha. There were loud groans of disapproval, but Prime Minister Botha addressed the crowd and then served as Prime Minister for the next six years.

All over the world, countries have different ways of electing or recognizing their leaders, depending upon the type of government that is in place.

That was also true in ancient times. In Jesus’ day, Israel was under Roman occupation. Although Israel was allowed to have a king under Roman occupation, he was nothing more than a puppet. The people of Israel longed for a deliverer, a savior, who would overthrow the Romans and be their king. They were looking for a political and military leader who would lead them out of bondage and into freedom.

So, there was tremendous excitement when Jesus burst onto the scene in ancient Israel. He was independent. He was beholden to no one. He spoke with authority that was unrivaled. The religious as well as the political leaders could not match him. Moreover, Jesus healed thousands of people and even raised a few dead people back to life. He also had authority over nature. After three years of exposure to the public, Jesus was at the absolute height of his popularity. The people of Israel remembered that God had promised to send a messiah, an anointed one, who would save his people. So, they were in a frenzy thinking that Jesus was the one sent by God to be their savior. Of course, they were expecting this savior to be a political and military savior. In that regard, they misunderstood God’s intention. Nevertheless, when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday during his triumphal entry, there was massive anticipation for what Jesus was about to do in the city.

Lesson

Jesus’ triumphal entry in Matthew 21:1-11 teaches us about the offices of Jesus.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. What Happened at Jesus’ Triumphal Entry? (21:1-11)

2. What Does Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Mean for Us?

I. What Happened at Jesus’ Triumphal Entry? (21:1-11)

First, what happened at Jesus’ triumphal entry?

Let’s step back just a little to recall what happened prior to Palm Sunday. Jesus had been in the north of country in the region of Galilee (cf. Matthew 19:1). He was leading his disciples on a journey toward Jerusalem. Along the way, Jesus predicted his imminent death. He said to his disciples, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day” (20:18-19). Unfortunately, the disciples really did not fully understand what Jesus was saying to them.

Eventually, Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethany on Friday or, possibly, Saturday. Bethany was a little village less than 2 miles east of Jerusalem. They stayed at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, whom Jesus had on an earlier occasion raised from the dead. On Saturday night, they gave dinner to Jesus and his disciples. It was hard for a visiting group of at least thirteen men, and perhaps some additional women, to go unnoticed. The residents of Bethany quickly learned that Jesus was in their village. And it did not take long for a large crowd to gather at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to see Jesus (John 12:1-11).

The next day was Sunday, what we now call Palm Sunday. It seems that Jesus wanted to leave Bethany and head about a mile north to another little village called Bethphage and then go south and west about a mile and half to Jerusalem via the Mount of Olives. We read in Matthew 21:1-3:

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”

It is possible that Jesus knew the owner and had made a prior arrangement with him to use the donkey and her colt.

We know, however, that Jesus always acted intentionally. He always did everything with a clear purpose in mind. Nothing was accidental or haphazard with Jesus.

So, we notice what Matthew wrote in verses 4-5, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” ’ ” Jesus sent his disciples to get the donkey and her colt in order to fulfill prophecy. This was a prophecy that was recorded by the Prophet Zechariah. He ministered around 520 BC. Some of the people of Israel had returned from their Babylonian captivity and were rebuilding the temple and restoring Jerusalem. Nevertheless, the people of God were still a subjugated people and faced tremendous opposition from surrounding enemies. In the midst of this political and military oppression, Zechariah promised that God would send a king to lead them out of bondage into freedom. He said to the people in 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.” We will return to this prophecy shortly. Suffice it to say that in ancient times, kings rode on donkeys. We remember that when David had Solomon anointed as king to succeed him, he made sure that Solomon rode on his mule, a sign to all the people that Solomon was the newly-crowned king who was succeeding David as king (cf. 1 Kings 1:32-40).

Matthew tells us in verses 6-7 that “the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.” It is not clear that the disciples understood what Jesus was doing. Jesus was unmistakably indicating that he was the king that God was sending to save his people.

At this point in Jesus’ life, large crowds constantly thronged him wherever he went. And they did so again. Matthew tells us in verse 8, “Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” Now, however, the people expressed their submission and allegiance to Jesus as their king. They did so by throwing their cloaks on the road, which is what the people of Israel did when they recognized Jehu as their king, many centuries earlier (cf. 2 Kings 9:13). Moreover, the branches symbolized victory and triumph. The crowds were getting worked up because they believed that Jesus was going to be their king, their deliverer, and their savior. They could almost smell the victory and triumph over their Roman occupiers.

We read in verse 9, “And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’ ” The word “Hosanna” means “save.” The crowds knew that Jesus was a descendent of David. They were ecstatic that their savior had come in the name of the Lord to save his people from oppression.

Let us remember that this was the time of the Passover. Tens of thousands of visitors were in Jerusalem. Undoubtedly, they were staying in every available hotel, motel, and rented room. Thousands of people were staying in the surrounding villages. And it is likely that many thousands were camping outside on the surrounding hilly terrain. Most likely, hundreds, if not thousands, of people were escorting Jesus into Jerusalem. Matthew tells us in verses 10-11, “And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.’ ” Clearly, the people believed that Jesus as a prophet.

II. What Does Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Mean for Us?

Second, what does Jesus’ triumphal entry mean for us?

For three years, Jesus kept his identity under wraps. He often told people not to reveal his identity. But now, as he entered Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday, he revealed himself to his people as a king. Moreover, the people believed that he was a prophet.

The New Testament teaches us that Jesus fulfilled not just two but three offices. In addition to the office of king and prophet, Jesus also fulfilled the office of priest. He fulfilled all three offices. Let’s look briefly at each office.

A. The Office of Prophet

First, let’s look at the office of prophet.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:10-11). The people believed that Jesus was a prophet.

But what is a prophet? What does a prophet do? Well, a prophet is like an ambassador. When the President of the United States appoints an ambassador to, say, Great Britain, the ambassador represents the President and speaks to the people of Great Britain on behalf of the President.

Similarly, a prophet in the Bible represents God and speaks to people on behalf of God. We often know that a prophet is speaking on behalf of God because of the tell-tale expression, “Thus says the Lord.” That expression is used 417 times in the Old Testament.

How, then, does Christ fulfill, or execute, the office of a prophet? That is Question 24 in The Westminster Shorter Catechism. The answer to that question is as follows: “Christ executes the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.”[1] Throughout his entire ministry, Jesus told people about the will of God and what that meant for the salvation of sinners.

B. The Office of Priest

Second, let’s look at the office of priest.

We don’t see this office portrayed in Jesus’ triumphal entry. However, it is important for us to understand this office in terms of Jesus’ saving ministry.

Whereas a prophet represented God to the people, a priest represented the people to God. He did so by his prayers on behalf of the people. He also did so by offering sacrifices on behalf of the people to satisfy the justice of God.

How, then, does Christ fulfill, or execute, the office of a priest? That is Question 25 in The Westminster Shorter Catechism. The answer to that question is as follows: “Christ executes the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.”[2] Jesus did not offer up animal sacrifices on behalf of people. He offered up himself as a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice. Five days after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he went to the cross satisfy God’s justice by paying the penalty for sin. But this was not for his own sin, for he had no sin. Instead, he paid the penalty for our sin. Instead of me going to the gallows for all of my heinous sin, Jesus took my place and paid the full price on my behalf.

Moreover, Jesus continually prays us. He prayed for us during his earthly ministry. And he does so now as he is seated at his Father’s right hand.

C. The Office of King

And third, let’s look at the office of king.

Jesus intentionally fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah. He did not send for a colt to be his taxi into Jerusalem because he was tired of walking. He sent for a colt because he was signaling to the nation that he was their king. That is why Matthew was so careful to note in verses 4-5, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” ’ ”

How, then, does Christ fulfill, or execute, the office of a king? That is Question 26 in The Westminster Shorter Catechism. The answer to that question is as follows: “Christ executes the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling, and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.”[3] The people of Israel were expecting and wanting a political and military leader who would be their king, overthrow Roman oppression, and lead them out of bondage and into freedom. But Jesus’ kingdom was not a physical kingdom. It is a spiritual kingdom. He rules now in the hearts and lives of believers all over the world. When Jesus returns in glory for his Second Advent, he will then establish a physical kingdom on earth. But, until then, he is our spiritual king.

Conclusion

Jesus is still our prophet in that he speaks to us by his word.

Jesus is still our priest in that he gave his life to save us and he always intercedes for us.

And Jesus is still our king in that he rules over his ever-expanding kingdom.

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem teaches us about the three offices of Jesus. So let us give thanks for Jesus who is ever our prophet, priest, and king. Amen.

[1] The Westminster Shorter Catechism: With Scripture Proofs, 3rd edition. (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996).

[2] The Westminster Shorter Catechism: With Scripture Proofs, 3rd edition. (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996).

[3] The Westminster Shorter Catechism: With Scripture Proofs, 3rd edition. (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996).