"The Triumphal Road"

April 6, 2025

FBC Baxley

am service

Mark & Carol’s family________________________________________________________________________

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Sermon Title: The Triumphal Road

Scripture Passage: 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.”

PRAY-

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Three Points:

1. The Preparation vv 1-3

2. The Procession vv 4-8

3. The Proclamation vv 9-11

Introduction:

In 1945, as World War II was coming to an end, crowds lined the streets of New York City to welcome returning soldiers.

Confetti rained down, bands played triumphant music, and people cheered wildly.

It was a moment of joy, victory, and expectation.

Yet, while these soldiers were honored, they returned to a world still filled with struggles.

Over 2,000 years earlier, another crowd gathered—not in New York, but in Jerusalem—to welcome a different kind of King.

They shouted, "Hosanna!" and laid palm branches before Him.

Yet, many in the crowd misunderstood His mission.

Unlike earthly conquerors, Jesus rode into Jerusalem not to wage war, but to bring peace.

His was a road of prophecy, praise, and ultimate sacrifice. In this passage, we will examine "The Triumphal Road" by considering three key aspects: The Preparation, The Procession, and The Proclamation.

I. The Preparation (Matthew 21:1-3) – The Sovereign Plan

A. The Chosen Place

Jesus approaches Bethphage (Βηθφαγή, "house of unripe figs"), a small village near the Mount of Olives.

This location is significant because it was known as a place of preparation before entering Jerusalem.

The Mount of Olives was associated with the coming of the Messiah (Zechariah 14:4).

This reinforces Jesus’ kingly role.

It was also a location of prayer and prophecy, often connected with divine encounters in Scripture. (Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, Jesus’ prayers at the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ Ascension)

By entering from this location, Jesus was deliberately aligning His mission with messianic expectations and preparing to fulfill the ultimate Passover sacrifice.

B. The Commanded Procurement

Jesus instructs two disciples to bring a donkey and its colt (ὄνος & πῶλος), demonstrating His foreknowledge and divine authority.

In ancient times, donkeys were symbols of peace, while horses symbolized war.

By riding in on a donkey, Jesus fulfills Zechariah 9:9, entering as a humble king, not a conquering warrior.

Jesus was no like earthly rulers who sought military dominance, Jesus came to establish a kingdom of peace.

The phrase “The Lord has need of them” (ὁ κύριος αὐτῶν χρείαν ἔχει) emphasizes Christ’s sovereignty over all creation.

The owner freely released the animals, indicating divine orchestration of these events.

C. The Prophetic Precision

This act fulfills prophecy exactly, showing that Jesus’ journey was part of God’s sovereign plan.

Every detail aligns with the Old Testament prophecies, proving that Christ’s entrance was not random but divinely orchestrated.

The people’s response, the selection of the donkey, and the timing of the event all point to God's hand at work.

II. The Procession (Matthew 21:4-8) – The Submissive Parade

A. The Spread Garments

The people laid their cloaks (ἱμάτια) on the road.

This was a gesture of submission to royalty (2 Kings 9:13), an act of honoring a king.

This public display of respect and honor signified they acknowledged Jesus as King, though many did not fully understand His mission.

Their actions copied ancient customs where subjects honored rulers by covering their path.

It also symbolized a willingness to yield to His authority, but tragically, many of the same people would soon reject Him.

B. The Shouted Glory

The crowd cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Ὡσαννὰ τῷ υἱῷ Δαυίδ), a phrase rooted in Psalm 118:25-26, a Messianic Psalm often recited during Passover.

"Hosanna" (ὡσαννά) means "Save us, we pray!"

It is a plea for divine deliverance, demonstrating their expectation of Jesus as the promised Savior.

"Son of David" is a Messianic title, affirming Jesus as the rightful King of Israel, fulfilling the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

The irony is that while they cried for salvation, many did not recognize that Jesus came to save them from sin, not Roman rule.

C. The Symbolic Palm Branches

John's Gospel (John 12:13) notes they used palm branches, a symbol of victory and Jewish nationalism.

Palms were used in Jewish festivals and often associated with triumph.

The people longed for a political Messiah who would overthrow Roman oppression, but Jesus came as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), offering a spiritual kingdom rather than a political one.

This highlights the difference between human expectations and God’s divine plan—while the crowd sought national deliverance, Christ was securing eternal redemption.

III. The Proclamation (Matthew 21:9-11) – The Stirring Presence

A. The City’s Question

When Jesus entered, the city was stirred (ἐσείσθη – "shaken violently"), indicating a deep disturbance and commotion.

Jerusalem was bustling with pilgrims for Passover, increasing its population from 30,000 to nearly 180,000.

The people asked, "Who is this?" – revealing a lack of true understanding.

Despite witnessing miracles and hearing His teachings, many still struggled to grasp His identity.

This question still echoes today—who do people say Jesus is, and more importantly, who do we say He is?

B. The Crowds’ Confession

They answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

While acknowledging Him as a prophet, they fell short of recognizing Him as Messiah and Lord.

Many admired Him but did not yet worship Him as the Son of God.

Their incomplete confession reveals a common issue—many acknowledge Jesus as a great teacher or moral leader but fail to surrender to Him as Savior and King.

C. The Coming Judgment

Many who praised Him on this day would, by week’s end, shout, “Crucify Him!”

Their expectations were shattered when Jesus did not lead a revolt against Rome.

Jesus' triumphal entry foreshadows His coming return, where He will arrive not on a donkey but on a white horse (Revelation 19:11) as the conquering King.

This moment serves as a reminder that Christ’s kingdom will ultimately be established, and every knee will bow before Him (Philippians 2:10-11).

Life Applications:

1. Recognize Christ’s Authority

Just as Jesus had dominion over the colt, He has dominion over our lives.

Are we submitting to Him in every area?

2. Worship Him with Understanding

The people praised Jesus but misunderstood His purpose.

Do we truly worship Him for who He is, or only for what He can do for us?

3. Prepare for His Second Coming

Jesus' first coming was in humility; His second coming will be in glory.

Are we living in a way that reflects anticipation of His return?

Conclusion:

The Triumphal Road is a road of prophecy, praise, and proclamation.

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He was not just fulfilling ancient texts—He was setting the stage for the greatest victory in history.

Let us ensure that our worship is authentic, our hearts surrendered, and our lives prepared for His return.

-Pray

-Invitation