Jesus: The Suffering Servant

Intro: We have reached a pivotal point in the book of Mark.

Jesus is on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem.

Jesus has been here many times, in fact, He has been in the city below many times.

When He descends from the Mount of Olives on this day,

He will be setting into motion certain events that will climax with His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

Over a period of eight days, Jesus entered Jerusalem, cleansed the temple,

challenged the religious leaders,

instituted the Lord’s Supper,

got arrested, was tried, was crucified,

and then was raised from the dead.

This was the week all of creation had been waiting for.

Back in the garden, God had promised the serpent,

“I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed.

He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel” (Gen 3:15).

The Son of God ultimately fulfilled that promise, crushing the head of the snake by His death and resurrection.

The events of this week, planned before the foundation of the world,

were not just climactic for Jesus’ life; this was the climactic week for all of history!

Over a quarter of Matthew’s Gospel—eight chapters—is devoted to these last eight days

The events we are studying today took place sometime on a Sunday. Before the sun sets the next Friday, Jesus will have been crucified and buried.

Before the sun rises on the next Sunday morning,

Jesus will have conquered death, hell and the grave by resurrecting from the dead.

The events of this day mark the beginning of our Lord’s Passion Week.

Up to this point in the ministry of Jesus,

He had always told His men to keep quiet about His identity. Often, when Jesus healed people,

He would tell them to go their way and to keep quiet about what had happened to them, Mark 7:36; 8:30; 9:9; Luke 8:56.

Now, there is a change in the Lord’s strategy. On this day, Jesus begins to draw attention to Himself.

Why? He does so because He is about to fulfill an ancient prophecy.

He does so because He is about to present Himself to the nation of Israel as their King.

Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Zachariah penned these words, “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,” Zech. 9:9. Jesus is about to fulfill that prophecy in detail.

I would like for us to examine this passage together today.

I believe that there are some precious truths that can be gleaned from this moment in our Savior’s life. I want to borrow my title from the verse in Zechariah.

He said “Behold, Thy King Cometh Unto Thee”.

I would like to talk to you about this King.

I want you to see The Person Of This King; The Presentation Of This King and The Purpose Of This King

THE PERSON OF THIS KING

It specifies the way He would arrive, and the fulfillment we see here is truly amazing: 500 years before Jesus came,

God promised that a donkey and a colt would be available the week before Passover for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem.

You don’t write a script like that unless you are God!

(Ill. As we watch the Lord in action in these verses, we are allowed to catch a glimpse of His glory.

Imagine the scene if you will. It is early in the morning and Jesus is making preparations to go to Jerusalem. He is moving through two little villages near the top of the mountain. He is in Bethphage, which means “House of Unripe Figs” and Bethany, which means “House of Dates”.

Jesus had some dear friends at Bethany, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, with whom He stayed during His last days on earth.

In fact, Jesus had just performed one of His most outstanding miracles when He raised Lazarus from the dead, John 11. Now, Jesus stands on the top of the Mount of Olives, preparing to descend into the city below. From the top of that mountain, which stands some 2,600 feet above sea level, Jesus could see the beautiful city spread out before Him. Keep in mind that these events occurred during the week leading up to the Passover.

People were coming to celebrate this feast of remembrance, a feast that reminded them of the time when God rescued their fathers from slavery in Egypt and brought salvation through the blood of a lamb. Now Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36) and the One who was inaugurating a new and greater exodus (Matt 2:13–15), was coming into Jerusalem during Passover week. This was no coincidence.

Historians tell us that the population of Jerusalem was around 80,000 at this time.

During the Passover, between two and three million people would crowd into the city for the celebration.

The people came in anticipation; they were looking for God to do something while they were there. God would do His greatest work of all during this Passover, but most people would miss it altogether. Jesus chose this moment to reveal Himself the nation of Israel.

He chose this moment to let Israel know that their King had arrived. Notice how He is revealed in these verses.)

Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons I. A Day of Fruition (35–36)

▪ Quickly I want to mention another interesting prophecy that was fulfilled with the triumphant entry.

Daniel gave a specific prophecy, revealing the exact time our Lord would enter Jerusalem.

In

THE PERSON OF THIS KING

(Ill. As we watch the Lord in action in these verses, we are allowed to catch a glimpse of His glory. Imagine the scene if you will.

It is early in the morning and Jesus is making preparations to go to Jerusalem.

He is moving through two little villages near the top of the mountain.

He is in Bethphage, which means “House of Unripe Figs” and Bethany, which means “House of Dates”

. Jesus had some dear friends at Bethany, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, with whom He stayed during His last days on earth. In fact, Jesus had just performed one of His most outstanding miracles when He raised Lazarus from the dead, John 11.

Now, Jesus stands on the top of the Mount of Olives, preparing to descend into the city below.

From the top of that mountain, which stands some 2,600 feet above sea level, Jesus could see the beautiful city spread out before Him.

Keep in mind that these events occurred during the week leading up to the Passover. Historians tell us that the population of Jerusalem was around 80,000 at this time. During the Passover, between two and three million people would crowd into the city for the celebration. The people came in anticipation; they were looking for God to do something while they were there.

God would do His greatest work of all during this Passover, but most people would miss it altogether.

Jesus chose this moment to reveal Himself the nation of Israel.

He chose this moment to let Israel know that their King had arrived. Notice how He is revealed in these verses.)

A. His Personality—Ill.

The Context—Jesus sends two of His disciples to a village to get a young donkey colt.

He tells them exactly where they will find it and what the people standing around will say to them.

He even gives them some details about the animal.

When His men go out to complete this assignment, they find that everything is just as Jesus said it would be.

How did Jesus know this? Some writers suggest that Jesus had already been to the owners of this little donkey and arranged for the use of the animal. They believe Jesus set this up before hand.

I suppose they believe Jesus set things up with that fish that Peter caught with the tax money in its mouth, Matt. 17:27.

Well, He did set it up, but not physically. He set it up in His sovereignty! These events remind us that Jesus is God and that He is in control of all things, Eph. 1:11; Isa. 46:10–11!

That encourages me! So, these verses prove that Jesus is God!

(Note: Which two disciples went after the donkey?

The Bible doesn’t say! You see, it doesn’t matter who does what as long as the Lord is glorified!

I wonder if those two men complained about their assignment. I can hear them now, “Can you believe this?

After all we’ve done for Him; Jesus picked us for this dirty assignment.”

They didn’t realize that they were the instruments He would use to fulfill prophecy. They were doing something far bigger then they could see.

We usually are!

When we are involved in the Lord’s work, we are involved in big business!)

B. His Power—These verses also demonstrate the power and authority of our Lord. Notice what Jesus says in verse 3. He says, “Say ye that the Lord hath need of Him.

” Jesus called Himself “Lord”! That is a statement of His authority and of His power in this situation.

I would just remind you that He is still “Lord” today. He still possesses all authority, whether men recognize Him and bow to Him or not.

There will come a day when they will, Phil 2:9–11.

There will come a day when you will!

Why not do it today when bowing to Jesus can result in your salvation?

(Note: Jesus was well known in these villages. He had, after all, just raised Lazarus from the dead.

He was a local celebrity. When the owners heard that it was the Lord Jesus Who wanted the colt, they immediately sent it to Him.)

(Note: Look at that statement in verse 3.

“The Lord hath need of him.” That is an amazing statement! When did God ever “need” anything?

But, that was the paradox of our Lord’s earthly life.

He was rich, yet He became poor, 2 Cor. 8:9.

• He owned all things, yet He possessed nothing. He created the stars, yet He had nowhere to lay His Own head, Matt. 8:20.

• He fashioned everything there is out of nothing, yet He had to borrow a boat from which to preach His Gospel.

• He created every drop of water that exists in the world, yet He cried “I thirst” as He was dying on the cross, John 19:28.

• He created every tree, but He died on a borrowed cross.

• He created every rock, but He had to borrow a tomb in which to be buried.

• He used the clouds as His chariots, Psa. 104:3, yet He had to borrow a donkey on which to ride.

• That is the paradox of His life!

• He was rich, yet made Himself poor so that those who believe on Him might enjoy His riches!)

(Note: Let’s talk about that donkey for a few more minutes. The Lord needed that donkey to fulfill His mission here on earth. Isn’t that amazing?

Jesus is God and He could have done this anyway He chose to, but He chose to use that little donkey.

By the way, He is still using little donkeys to get His work done on earth.

how many a donkey can be stubborn ain’t nobody in here can be stubborn are they? He uses the likes of you and me. He could have assigned the task to angels, but He chooses to work through human instruments.

I am glad to be a part of the Lord business. I am glad He can use a little donkey like me!

Let me mention a few important facts about this donkey before we leave him behind.

I am interested in that little donkey.

Donkeys factor greatly in the Bible.

• Deut 22:10 says that a donkey and an ox could not be yoked together.

• Deut. 5:14 tells us that donkeys were allowed to rest on the Sabbath.

• In Bible times, donkeys were associated with wealth. Job had 500 females donkeys, Job 1:3.

• Balaam had a donkey that talked to him, Num. 22:28.

• It was an animal associated with peace, while horses were associated with war.

• Donkeys were the mounts preferred by Israelite kings in Old Testament times.

• Donkeys were an animal associated with romance.

A man would walk beside a donkey carrying his wife. Since donkeys were slow, the couple could talk as they moved along.

We are told that the Lord needed this particular donkey to fulfill His mission here on earth, v. 3.

Isn’t that amazing? Jesus is God and He could have done this anyway He chose to, but He chose to use that little donkey.

By the way, He is still using little donkeys to get His work done on earth.

He uses the likes of you and me. He certainly does not need us, but He has graciously chosen to make us part of His plan!

He could have assigned the task to angels, but He chooses to work through human instruments.

I am glad to be a part of the Lord business. I am glad He can use a little donkey like me!

We don’t know much about the donkey Jesus rode that day, I would like to point out a few important facts about that little donkey.

I think there is some help for our hearts in these verses and I do not want to miss it.

HE HAD TO BE REDEEMED

• According to the Word of God, that donkey was only alive and available to the Lord because it had been redeemed by the blood of a lamb, Ex. 13:13; 34:20.

• The same could be said of us.

Consider the condition of all those who are not saved, and our own condition before we were saved!

⮚ We were “dead in trespasses and sins,” Eph. 2:1. We had no spiritual life and no interest in the things of God.

⮚ We were God’s enemies, Rom. 8:7.

⮚ We were given over to the lusts of the flesh, Eph. 2:2–3; John 8:44. We lived to gratify the flesh!

⮚ We were under the condemnation of Almighty God, John 3:18–20, 36. Condemned to Hell even as we walked the earth!

⮚ “Roman Nones” stood between us and usefulness to the Lord, Rom. 3:10–23. (Ill. None righteous, that understandeth, that seeketh after God, that doeth good.)

⮚ We were fit for nothing but the fires of Hell, Psa. 9:17. In that state, we could never have a relationship with the Lord!

⮚ We were useless to God and separated from Him by a wide gulf of sin, Isa. 59:2.

• That was our natural state! Many are still there. There are even some in the church who are trying to serve the Lord in that condition!

That may be how the Lord found us, but that is not the way He left us! When He saved us by His grace, changed us completely.

⮚ He gave us His life—Eph. 2:5–6. (Ill. Everlasting life, new life, Heavenly life, abundant life, John 10:10.) (Ill. Does that stir your heart? What I was dead to is now the most vital part of my life!)

⮚ He delivered us from the penalty of our sins—Col. 2:13–14; Eph. 1:7.

⮚ He bridged the gulf between us and Him—Eph. 2:13–16. (Ill. Job 9:33—The Daysman!)

• That is the only reason we have any usefulness to the Lord today. Praise God for the redeeming power of the blood of Jesus!

• Just so we understand, redemption is not an option, it is a necessity!

Oh, it is not necessary to live, to work, to have a family, or to be happy in this world. Many people pass through this life with no knowledge of, or thought for, God.

They live and die perfectly happy. Yet, there is nothing ahead of them, but an eternity in Hell!

⮚ Salvation is necessary if you want to miss Hell and go to Heaven!

⮚ Salvation is necessary of you want to enjoy the blessings and presence of God in this life!

⮚ Salvation is necessary if you want true joy and peace of heart!

⮚ Jesus put it this way to Nicodemus in John 3:7, “Ye must be born again.” Without the new birth, you are lost in your sins.

• You will notice the Lord did not say be baptized, join the church, turn over a new leaf or do good things.

The Lord told Nicodemus that he needed a new life!

Redemption is not something that happens because you joined a church and were baptized. It is not something that comes to you because you stopped committing a sin.

It is not something you get be being a better person.

Salvation comes when a lost sinner is convicted of sin, John 6:44, and looks away by faith to the Lord Jesus for salvation. It is an encounter with the grace of God, totally unconnected with any works of the flesh, Eph. 2:8–9.

Have you been redeemed?

• You and I will only be useful to the Lord when we have been redeemed by His blood from our lost condition. When we are, we become the Temple He occupies, 1 Cor. 6:19 and the Tool He used, Eph. 2:10; James 2:18. It is good to be redeemed! Are you saved?

• That Donkey Had To Be Redeemed—Ex. 13:13; 34:20. That little donkey was alive and useful to the Lord because it had been redeemed by the blood of a lamb.

Praise God that is why I have life today. That is the only reason you and I have any usefulness to the Lord today.

Praise God for the redeeming power of the blood of Jesus!

HE HAD TO BE RELEASED

• When Jesus told the disciples about the little donkey, He told them they would find it tied, v. 2.

They were to untie the donkey and bring it to Jesus, which is what they did, v. 4.

That little donkey was bound and it needed to be set free before the Lord could use it.

• When Jesus found us, we were bound up too!

Before we could be of any use to Him, the chains of our sins had to be broken and we had to be set free.

• We are born into this world as slaves to sin, Eph. 2:2–3. We are children of the devil and his will is what we do, John 8:44. We are slaves to the flesh and the devil!

In that condition, we are useless to the Lord. We cannot serve Him. We cannot live for Him.

We cannot bring glory to His name. We are useless in that bound up, tied down condition.

We need to be set free!

• I praise His Name that is just what He does for His saints. He comes to where we are and He gives us liberty.

• (Ill. “where two ways met”, v. 4. Praise God, He knew where I was!

• Ill. The word “need” in v. 3 can mean “business”

. In other words, Jesus is saying, “If anyone asks you what you are doing say,

“The Lord has business with that donkey!

” I bless that He had business with me! I am glad that He “must needs through”

I was saved by His grace!)

• Here is what He does for those He redeems!

⮚ He delivers us from the bondage of our sins, Rom. 6:14.

⮚ He gives us a new desire to follow Him and serve Him. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works,” Titus 2:14.

⮚ He makes us a “new creature” in Jesus, 2 Cor. 5:17.

⮚ He moves in and takes up residence in our bodies, 2 Cor. 4:7.

⮚ He gives us freedom from sin, self and Satan, John 8:36.

⮚ We are not perfect and we still sin, Ill. Rom. 7:14–25; 1 John 1:8, 10.

But, we are no longer slaves to sin.

We have been delivered from its power, Rom. 6:14.

We lose our appetite for the old ways of living and develop an appetite for the things of God.

(Ill. What I used to hate I now love!)

• I don’t know if the Lord Jesus has ever released you from anything, but I know that if He has, you need to praise Him for it.

• If your life has never changed, you need to be saved. It doesn’t matter if you are a church member or not. If you know Him, there will be the evidence of a changed life!

The truly redeemed believer will no longer live a lifestyle of unrepentant sin, 1 John 3:6–10!

(Note: In verse 6, the phrase “and straightway he will send him hither”, means “The Lord will send the donkey right back as soon as He is finished with him.

” In other words, Jesus tells His men to tell the people who owned the donkey that He will return their property as soon as He is through with it.

When that donkey came back, it was better than it was when it left. When it left, it was unbroken and untried.

When it came home, it was ready for the saddle. That’s just what the Lord does! He takes what we give Him and when He gives it back, it is far better than it was when He got it.

• Give Him your crabapple and He will give you back a golden delicious.

• Give Him your acorn and He will give you back a mighty oak.

• Give Him an Abram, a lost pagan, and He will give you back an Abraham, a mighty man of faith.

• Give Him your Jacob, a schemer and a trickster, and He will give you back an Israel, a Prince of God.

• Give Him your Saul of Tarsus, a mean, cruel man, and He will give you back a Paul, a mighty Apostle of God.

• Give Him you Simon, a weak, vacillating man, and He will give you back a Peter, a rock for Jesus.

• Give Him your broken, sin-scarred life and He will give you back a new start, a new life and a home in Heaven!)

• Thank God for His life-changing, soul-saving, eternity-altering grace!

That Donkey Had To Be Released—It was bound and had to be set free before the Lord could use it. Before you and I can be of any use to Him, the chains of our sins are going to have to be broken and we are going to have to be set free. I praise His Name that is just what He does for His saints, Rom. 6:14; John 8:36.

• That Donkey Had To Be Ruled—Someone had to take charge over that donkey.

Verse 2 tells us that the donkey had never been broken to ride. Yet, it submitted itself to the Lord Jesus and yielded to His control.

That donkey wasn’t frightened by the crowds or by their noise. It surrendered itself to the Lord totally.

That is what He expects of us! He is looking for total submission and total surrender, Rom. 12:1–2. The very fact that this little donkey has never been broken, and that Jesus is riding it, is a miracle in itself.

Of course, Psa. 8:6–8 tells us that He has dominion over this creation. That little donkey surrendered to the Lord’s sovereignty and yielded to His authority.

• That is exactly what He expects of us! He is looking for total submission and total surrender from our lives, Rom. 12:1–2. (

Ill. He is looking for a humble, submissive spirit.

He will bless and use to humble, submissive life, Psa. 51:17; Rom. 6:13.)

• Let’s face the truth; some people have a real problem with authority.

There are folks who just have a hard time with the idea of someone having authority over them.

Whether it is their parents at home; their boss at work; or their Pastor at church; they have a hard time with authority. When you get right down to it, we all have some problem with authority.

There is a wild man in us that does not like to be rule

The Lord could save sinners and accomplish His work on earth just fine without us. Yet, He chooses to use frail, human instruments for His glory.

When we are like that donkey, Redeemed, Released and Ruled, He can use us too.)

(Note: In verse 6, the phrase “and straightway he will send him hither”, means “

The Lord will send the donkey right back as soon as He is finished with him.

” In other words, Jesus tells His men to tell the people who owned the donkey that He will return their property as soon as He is through with it.

When that donkey came back, it was better than it was when it left. When it left, it was unbroken and untried.

When it came home, it was ready for the saddle. That’s just what the Lord does! He takes when we give Him and when He gives it back, it is far better than it was when He got it.

• Give Him an Abram, a lost pagan, and He will give you back an Abraham, a mighty man of faith.

• Give Him your Jacob, a schemer and a trickster, and He will give you back an Israel, a Prince of God.

• Give Him your Saul of Tarsus, a mean, cruel man, and He will give you back a Paul, a mighty Apostle of God.

• Give Him you Simon, a weak, vacillating man, and He will give you back a Peter, a rock for Jesus.

• Give Him your broken, sin scarred life and He will give you back a new start, a new life and a home in Heaven!)

Ultimately, our first and final authority is the Lord Jesus Christ.

When He redeemed us from our sins, He purchased us unto Himself. Now, if we are saved, He owns us completely, 1 Cor. 6:19–20. We are His slaves by right of redemption and by right of creation.

⮚ When we are submitted to His Lordship in our lives, we will have no trouble submitting in the other areas of our lives. Show me someone who is not submissive to the authority figures God has ordained in their lives and I will show you someone who is not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. You show me someone who refuses to get under those God has placed over them and I will show you someone who is probably not even saved!

Why? Yielding to the Lordship of Jesus is an essential component of biblical salvation, Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9.

He is the “Lord Jesus Christ!” His identity as Savior cannot be divorced from His identity as Lord.

• Who is your Master today? Is it you? Or is it the Lord Jesus Christ? Can you honestly say that Jesus Christ is your Savior and your Lord?

I hope you understand what I am saying today. If we are saved, He owns us completely.

We do not have the right to use any part of our being, whether it is our body, our spirit or our mind for our own purposes. We are His and only He has the right to tells us how we should live our lives.

• I do have good news for you today, if you are submitting yourself to any other master today, Jesus can and will help you to change your allegiances.

Conc: One of the most amazing statements in the Bible is found here is in verse 3, and it has to do with that little beast. It says,

“The Lord hath need of him.”

When did God ever “need” anything? Here is what God had to say about His Own needs, Psa. 50:9–12. But, that was the paradox of our Lord’s earthly life.

He was rich, yet He became poor, 2 Cor. 8:9.

• He owned all things, yet He possessed nothing.

• He created the stars, yet He had nowhere to lay His Own head, Matt. 8:20.

• He fashioned everything there is out of nothing, yet He had to borrow a boat from which to preach His Gospel.

• He created every drop of water that exists in the world, yet He cried “I thirst” as He was dying on the cross, John 19:28.

• He created every tree, but He died on a borrowed cross.

• He created every rock, but He had to borrow a tomb in which to be buried.

• He used the clouds as His chariots, Psa. 104:3, yet He had to borrow a donkey on which to ride.

• That is the paradox of His life! He was rich, yet made Himself poor so that those who believe on Him might enjoy His riches!

The Lord could save sinners and accomplish His work on earth just fine without us. Yet, He chooses to use frail, human instruments for His glory.

When we are like that donkey, Redeemed, Released and Ruled, He can use us too.

Being a donkey isn’t so bad when Jesus is your Master. Look at what that donkey did. He got to carry the King of Glory into Jerusalem.

The Lord used Him as His vehicle to get glory to His name.

That’s what He wants to do with you and me!

Let’s yield to Him and let Him rule us as He sees fit.

By the way, when that little Redeemed, Released, Ruled donkey walked by with Jesus on his back, nobody saw the donkey! All eyes were on the Lord Jesus. That’s how it should be all time.

There are some here that need to be Redeemed.

You need to come to Jesus. Other have been and you need to praise Him for it!

There are some here that need to be Released. Sins and the flesh hold you captive.

Come to Jesus, He specialized in delivering the captives, Luke 4:18.

There are some here that need to be Ruled. You need to submit to the Lordship of Jesus in your life. When you do, you will have no trouble submitting to the authorities the Lord has placed in your life.

If Jesus has spoken to you on any level, you need to do what He is telling you to do!.

v. 7–10 THE PRESENTATION OF THIS KING

(Ill. We are allowed to see the Person of this King in this event. We are also allowed to see a Presentation of the King in these verses.

The disciples go and get the donkey

. They return to Jesus and put their outer garments over the beast in place of a saddle. Jesus climbs on the donkey’s back and starts down the mountain.

(Ill. The fact that the animal Jesus is riding has never been broken is a miracle in itself

. Of course, Psa. 8:6–8 tells us that He has dominion over this creation.)

The King of Israel is about to present Himself to the nation.

A. He Is The Lowly One—As I mentioned earlier, Jesus is fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Zech. 9:9. Part of that prophecy says that the Messiah will be “lowly”.

That is what we see here. We see a humble Man on the back of a humble beast, making a humble declaration of His identity.

Imagine this procession. Jesus is on a donkey and He is surrounded by throngs of common people. It was, as one writer said, a “procession of paupers”

The people are waving palm branches and not swords.

He is sitting on old coats and not a saddle.

He is riding a little donkey and not a mighty stallion.

He is surrounded by a ragtag rabble and not by strong soldiers.

The Roman soldiers who saw this parade must have laughed at this Man Who would be King of the Jews.

The soldiers might have seen a Roman Triumphus. In those great celebrations, victorious Roman generals would return from the battlefields with the spoils of war.

Defeated kings and soldiers would be paraded through town.

The victorious army would walk past cheering crowds. Elephants, tigers and lions would parade past.

The victorious general would be riding in the finest of chariots pulled along by handsome horses.

Thousands would cheer and Rome would vibrate with the shouts of people praising Caesar and the Roman gods. But, this, this must have appeared to be a joke to all who saw it.

This little procession was just the beginning!

The events that began on this day would one day topple the Roman Empire.

One day, this lowly King would bring Rome to its knees! By the way, a Roman general could only have a Triumphus if he had killed over 5,000 enemy soldiers in battle.

Very soon, King Jesus would claim over 8,000 new believers, Acts 2:41; 4:4.)

Look again at this crowd.

Who is there as the people wave their palm branches before Jesus and pave the road with their clothing?

I would imagine Bartimaeus is there.

I would imagine Zacchaeus is there. I would imagine that Lazarus was there, along with Mary and Martha. That crowd was full of people He had healed, delivered and ministered to and they were praising Him.

I am in that parade too! It’s a mighty long parade by now, but it is marching off toward eternity with Jesus in the lead.

Those who know Him are still praising His name and worshiping the One Who became poor so that we might become rich in Him!

B. He Is The Lofty One—As the crowd descended the slopes of the Mount of Olives, the people are praising the Lord. They are practicing “antiphonal” singing.

The people in front would say a part and the people in back would answer them.

We are told what they said in verses 9–10. The word “Hosanna” means “save now”. It was a cry for the Messiah to deliver His people.

It had come to be used as a shout of praise, much like “Hallelujah”.

The people are praising the name of the King, just as the Psalmist predicted they would in Psa. 118:25–26.

The people are exalting Jesus as their King, and they are right on the money!

Mark doesn’t relate this, but Luke does.

Luke tells us that the Pharisees are upset about this demonstration.

They want Jesus to tell His followers to stop their shouting. Jesus tells them that if these people were to hold their peace, the very rocks would cry out, Luke 19:39–41. In other words, prophecy is being fulfilled and the Lord will have His praise. He is going to have praise on the earth!

Let me just say that as long as the Lord saves sinners and leaves His saints on this earth, there will be some who will praise Him.

And, He is worthy to receive that kind of praise! We are commanded to praise Him.

We have every reason to praise Him. I do not want the rocks to do what I am capable of doing myself.

Shame on us when we can’t find the words, the courage and the reasons to praise the Lord!

He is still the lofty One and He is still worthy to be praised in the world and especially in His church.