The Triumphal Entry (Edited)

The Kingdom is but yet to come

Are you familiar with the term saved and being saved, or we are in the kingdom with a kingdom to come?

We will come back to that in just a minute, first

We have a nobleman, a master who calls ten servants together and gives them 10 minas, one mina each, he gives instructions, put this to work until I come back.

What does that mean, are the instructions pretty clear?

The crowd expected Jesus to establish His kingdom, as did the apostles, right away, but the parable shows a delay in the kings return.

So with the instructions and the delay it is clear they were to use the resources given. Key point here is Jesus was telling His followers they have responsibilities to use the resources, the time, the gifts, the talents given, to invest them until His return, not to be idle.

We live in the already but not yet period, called to be faithful while awaiting Christ’s return.

Stewardship of God’s gifts

The nobleman, the master trusts each slave, servant with the same amount, one mina each, gives the same instructions, and has same expectations to use it productively.

Do you think the Lord has any expectations of us? Can you think of any bible verse where Jesus may give us instructions?

Mt28:20, Eph2:10, come on, can you think of others?

The mina represents God-given resources, what God given resources has God given you, given us?

We know He has given us time, talents, spiritual gifts, opportunities, and the gospel message.

Application: God calls us to faithfully use what He has given us for His glory and for the advancement of the kingdom.

Faithfulness rewarded

The first two servants are rewarded for their faithfulness (ten and five minas). Their reward was proportional to their faithfulness, showing that God values effort and obedience over equal outcomes.

These faithful servants demonstrated diligence in the absence of the master. The rewards were proportions to faithfulness and not on results alone. The reward was authority since they demonstrated authority.

A good question we can ask is how can we measure faithfulness in our daily lives? Not someone else’s faithfulness, but our own.

Fear and neglect (consequences)

Fear and misunderstanding of the nobleman lead to inaction, resulting in the loss of his mina.

His excuse revealed his distorted view of the master as harsh and it paralyzed him from doing anything with the entrusted mina.

Fear, laziness, or a wrong view of God can hinder our service, God expects us to act in faith, not in perfection.

What fears or misconceptions about God might prevent us from serving God boldly?

Accountability

We have seen the Lord use this parable to show a king (Jesus) going off to receive His kingdom and returning (in future) and His servants given mina (gifts, talents, etc) and told to put them to work for they will give an accounting when He, the King returns.

We know that the unfaithful servant, safeguarded his mina, and it was taken from him and faced severe judgement before Christ.

The enemies who reject the nobleman’s rule face severe judgment, pointing to the ultimate accountability before Christ.

Application: All will give an account to God for how they responded to His call and used His gifts.

Question How does the reality of future judgment motivate us to live faithfully now?

Just so there is no misunderstandings theologically speaking

The kings identity: The nobleman represents Jesus who has ascended to heaven to receive His kingdom and will return to judge

The kingdom’s nature: The parable emphasizes the kingdom of God is both present (through faithful service now) and future (at Christ’s return)

Grace and responsibility: While salvation is by grace through faith, believers are called to be active, responsible stewards of Gods gifts, for faith without works is dead.

Practical Application

Evaluate your stewardship

How are you using your time, talents and resources

Overcome fear with faith

Trust in God’s goodness and take risks and serve Him

Live with eternity in mind

Recognize that our actions now have eternal consequences

Share the gospel

The mina can symbolize the message of Christ, use opportunities to share it.

Setting the Scene

This is nearing the end of Jesus ministry, the end of Jesus earthly life

This is commonly known as his triumphal entry (Lk219:28-44), it is also Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem.

Have you ever missed an opportunity because you did not recognize it’s importance at the time, in the moment?

The Jewish leadership missed it, the disciples did not understand it, they failed to recognize Jesus as the promised king.

Summary overview: Jesus is coming from Jericho into Jerusalem triumphantly, receives the praises of his disciples, he faces oppositions from the religious leaders, and He weeps over the city’s spiritual blindness.

Aim: Our aim for today’s class is to understand Jesus’ identity as the King of Kings, and the importance of responding to Him, and the consequences of rejecting Him. And, of course, some practical applications for our lives today too.

The Triumphal Entry

Luke 19:28–29 NASB95

28 After He had said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples,

Luke 19:30–31 NASB95

30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 31 “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ”

Luke 19:32–33 NASB95

32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

Luke 19:34–35 NASB95

34 They said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, and they threw their coats on the colt and put Jesus on it.

Luke 19:36–37 NASB95

36 As He was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. 37 As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen,

Luke 19:38 NASB95

38 shouting: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Anything stand out to you in this passage?

He, who is He referenced in (vv.28 and 29)? And how do you know?

Jesus, go all the way back to 19:5 to see that.

What two disciples were sent to get the colt that no one had never sat on (v.30-31)?

We do not know, they are not named in this passage.

What do you learn when scanning (vv.32-35)?

Everything just as Jesus said it would be

That the disciples then put their coats on this unridden colt, put Jesus on the colt.

What facts do you see in (vv.36-37)?

As they were going, Jesus and the disciples, they were spreading coats on the road and as they were approaching the descent of the mount of olives the “whole crowd of disciples,” started to praising God and shouting.

Finally the final fact they come to in (v.38)?

Jesus is the long awaited King, the Messiah, the one who comes in the name of the Lord God, he brings peace and glory in the highest. He is the one they have been looking for.

In Jesus telling them to fetch the colt, it is fulfilling the prophesy of Zech9:9

Zechariah 9:9 NASB95

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

In fulfilling the prophesy He is signaling that He is the promised Messiah.

The colt never ridden symbolized purity and humility, contrasting with worldly kings who rode warhorses.

The Crowds Response

The disciples and the crowd recognize Jesus’ miracles and proclaim Him king.

Their praise echo Ps118:26, a messianic psalm, showing they see Jesus as God’s sent deliverer.

Psalm 118:26 NASB95

26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.

A humble King

Jesus enters humbly, emphasizing a kingdom of peace, service and sacrifice by coming on a donkey, the colt of a donkey; not on a warhorse.

Opposition to the king

Luke 19:39–40 NASB95

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”

Anything stand out to you in these verses?

A subjective question, what do you think Jesus means in (v.40?

The Pharisees demand that Jesus silence the crowd’s praise. Jesus response is even if they are quiet the stones (creation) will cry out, God’s glory will be proclaimed.

Religious opposition

Pharisees reject Jesus’ kingship, they are uncomfortable and try to stop the crowd’s messianic claims.

their demand reflects the spiritual blindness and resistances to God’s work.

Jesus bold declaration

Jesus refusal to silence the praise, asserting that creation itself will testify to His identity if people do not.

This underscores the undeniable truth of Jesus’ kingship —God’s plan cannot be stopped.

Consider this, Opposition to Jesus often stems from pride, fear or misunderstanding. Yet, God’s truth prevails, and all creation testifies to His glory.

Jesus’ lament: Consequences of rejection

Luke 19:41–42 NASB95

41 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.

Luke 19:43–44 NASB95

43 “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, 44 and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Anything stand out in these verses to you?

So, coming down from the Mt. of Olives He is overlooking Jerusalem what does He do (v.41)?

He saw, and he wept

Why did Jesus weep (v.42)?

If they had known the things that make peace had come,” but they did not for now they were hidden from them.

What is the promise that Jesus tells them in (vv.43-44)?

The days “will come” when enemies will surround, will not leave one stone upon another because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.

What is that a promise of? Do you know when?

What is time of visitation?

In brief, a summary is Jesus wept over Jerusalem foreseeing its destruction that would be fulfilled in AD70 because the people did not recognize the time of God’s visitation, God’s coming in the flesh. He laments their failure to accept Him as the source of peace.

Jesus’ compassion

Despite rejections, Jesus’ tears shows His deep love for the people, even those who oppose Him.

His grief reflects God’s heart for humanity to turn to Him.

The cost of spiritual blindness

Jerusalem’s failure to recognize Jesus as Messiah leads to judgment (the Roman siege in AD 70)

The phrase ‘time of God’s coming’ (visitation) highlights God’s offer of salvation, which they missed.

A warning for all

Rejecting Jesus has eternal consequences , as He is the only source of true peace.

Jesus, His tears call us to respond to God’s offer of grace before it’s too late. For rejection brings consequences. And no choice is a choice, it is the wrong choice.

Application

Recognize Jesus as King (Lord of your life)

Challenge: Reflect on whether you full acknowledge Jesus as King, Lord in your life. are there areas, where you resist His authority?

Action: Commit to one specific area this week where you will submit to Jesus lordship

Respond with Worship

Challenge: Like the crowd we are called to praise Jesus for who He is and what He’s done. Are you praise Him, or are you silent like the Pharisees?

Action: Spend time daily in worship, prayer, singing, gratitude journaling to celebrate Jesus in your life.

Share the King’s message

Challenge: Jesus’ tears show his heart for the lost. Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus’ love and kingship?

Action: Identify one person to pray for and share the gospel with this week, perhaps by inviting them to church or sharing your faith testimony with them.

Avoid Spiritual Blindness

Challenge: Jerusalem missed God’s visitation because of pride and distraction. Are you open to God’s work in your life? Or, are you distracted by worldly concerns?

Action: Set aside time for reflection or fasting to discern where God is moving in your life and respond obediently.

While Jesus entered triumphantly he faced opposition; While he offered peace, he faced rejection. Jesus still offers peace today for those who are willing to accept Him. His tears show His heart, His compassion, His love and His hope for the dying world. His message holds true today that His desire is that all men would come to repentances but the days of ignorance have passed and He has appointed a day, and appointed a judge, so chose today to share the truth of God’s love with others before it is too late.

(Prayer) (Close)