The King Has Come

The Triumphal Entry

Its not Easter...

Recorded in all three gospels...

MARK 11:1-11, Matthew 21:11, Luke 19:28-40

Lk 19:28–40.28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany,...

Bethany… house of figs

Bethany… The home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus

Bethphage… house of unripe figs

The figtree… Mark 11:12-25

Olivet… The location of the beatitudes

Higher… Location Higher than the Temple, across the Kidron Valley, up the temple slope, temple wall, into the temple courts

he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here.…

only time… this is the only time in the gospels Jesus uses something other than His feet or a boat to travel.

specific command… He could have walked into Jerusalem on His own two feet like He walked everywhere else but He chose to enter in this particular way. Jesus’s was not random. He was very intentional. That means the single recorded time in the Bible He requested a Donkey to ride on has some significance.

First it fulfills prophecy… The book of Zechariah was written to recently freed captives who were returning to the Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. Chapter’s 1-8 was written around 520 BC. Chapters 9-12 was written between 480 and 470 BC. The prophecy Jesus is fulfilling here was given by God to Zechariah 500 years before Jesus fulfilled it.

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.”

Rejoice… There was great reason to rejoice. The King has come and He has brought salvation with Him.

Symbolism of Ruined Jerusalem… This was deeply symbolic. When the freed captives returned to Jerusalem it was nothing like it former glory. It had been destroyed before they were led away. They returned to a city that was rubble. God was encouraging them then, keep your head up things look bad now but I will restore them.

This would have raised hope… As He rides in on the donkey this should have given them hope. I think to some it did. Cries of Hosanna, Peace in Heaven and Glory in the Highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Symbolism to Occupied Jerusalem… The people of God should have seen a King coming to deliver the people of God out of their oppression. God was sending salvation once again to the city of His people. They would no longer be under the yoke of oppression.

Who is the true oppressor… What Gods people had failed to do was identify their true oppressor. You see it didn’t matter what king or nation ruled over them, they would never truly be free until the oppressor had been identified and dealt with.

Ruled by their own King… They had even been ruled by their own Kings for several years before they Babylonians and the Assyrians had invaded. They were just as bad off then.

Their true oppressor… Their true oppressor wasn't the Egyptians, it wasn’t the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Romans or at times even their own people. it was sin. Sin had ripped their nation apart. Sin had led them into rebellion against Gods will. Sin had caused their wars, deportations, shackles and even their deaths.

They need a King only God could provide… They needed victory only a righteous King could grant them. A King who could lead them out of the captivity of Sin. They needed Jesus Christ.

How is it any different today...? Is it really any different today? People end up bound and captive in all sorts of situations and the ruler of their captivities may have different names but one and all the underlying cause is Sin. If not their own than another's. The same King who came to deliver the oppressed then is the same one who delivers the oppressed now. Jesus Christ is still Lord and King.

If you are a captive… If you find yourself a captive today rejoice. Know that the King has come and He has brought salvation with Him. Yield to His Kingship turn your life over to Him die to self and surrender your sins to the only on who can make you clean.

The man just gave the donkey… It seems pretty incredible that the disciples of Jesus showed up and told the guy the Lord needed His donkey and He was like, okay. Without discrediting the fact there are those who are willing to serve the Lord with all they have I wondered why the man was so ready to part with his donkey to complete strangers.

Not strangers… I came to the realization that the donkey owner and Jesus or His disciples probably were not strangers at all. This is in the town of Bethany or at furthest the town right next to it Bethpage. Martha, Mary and Lazarus live in Bethany. That means that by this time a certain very well known miracle had occurred, Jesus calling Lazarus out of the tomb. Not only that Jesus spent a lot of time in that town with His friends.

More evidence of Jesus’s miracles… This mans willingness to entrust Jesus and His disciples so quickly is just more evidence to me that Jesus has preformed so many miracles in this mans home town.

2 Animals… Jesus actually rode into Jerusalem during His triumphal entry with two donkeys. Matthew records it in His account.

Matthew 21:6–7 “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.”

Why that is important… That might seem like an insignificant detail but I see importance in it.

Heading… The heading of this passage, the one the men gave it is, “ The Triumphal Entry

Roman Setting… The entire scene of Jesus’s ministry is played out with the backdrop of the Roman Empire behind it. With all of its influences

Roman Triumph… A Roman triumph was a spectacular celebration parade held for a military commander who had won an important victory on the battlefield. Over 300 Roman Triumphs are recorded

day long event

Military commander gave speeches to the Roman senate, military and citizens

started with a breakfast

transitioned to a procession

the procession entered through Porta Triumphalis, a gate used only for Triumphs

the military commander wore purple colored robs and sacrifices to the “gods”

performances

gold/silver

plants/paintings

slaves

captured royal dignitary

The Star of the show, the military victor or the Roman Emporer would ride a chariot pulled by two or four WHITE horses. He wore a laurel crown and carried a laurel branch in his right hand. In his left hand, he carried an ivory scepter with an eagle at the top, symbolic of the triumph.

Propaganda piece… A Roman Triumph was a propaganda technique. It displayed military might to the citizens, encouraged the military to bold hard fought for victories and sent a warning to enemies. We utterly defeated our foe. Dont resist the Roman Empire.

Entering Jerusalem… sitting on one of two steeds. Where they white? I don't know. But I can sure see Jesus riding into Jerusalem on two white donkeys. The steed He returns on in Revelation is a white warhorse, so why not. Here the crowds are fanning palms. Laying down their own cloaks as a path for Him to ride down. Crying out Hosana. Cheering for the victorious King

Not every heart in the crowd… What did the Pharisee’s say “Teacher rebuke your disciples”

Not every heart welcomes the kingship of Jesus Christ.

Jesus’s answer was crazy, and awesome…

vs40 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Hey Pharisees you cant silence the worship of the one true God.

The Worship of creation…

Psalm 148:1–14 “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!”

The guilt of the inhabitants… Remez. There is a meaning I believe underneath the surface meaning of Jesus’s response to the Pharisees that even creation will worship God.

Habakkuk 2:9–12 ““Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be safe from the reach of harm! You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life. For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork respond. “Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity!”

The connection… The connection of the rocks crying out in Habakkuk can be found the very next passage after Jesus’s response to the Pharisees.

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

Luke 19:41–44 “And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.””

Jesus wept over the city because of the disaster that would befall it.

Why was disaster going to fall on the city… Jerusalem had become the city built on blood and iniquity.

Instead of receiving their Savior King Jesus they rejected Him, to the point the city built on blood slayed the savior who’s blood bought their freedom. What a turn of events

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Luke 19:45–48 “And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.”

temple… 500 yards by 300 yards

temple set in the center

womans court

mens court

alter

temple theologically…

entered… this is his second entry into Jerusalem and the temple since his arrival for passion week

the first entry… Was on Sunday evening.

Mark 11:9–11 “And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.”

looked around at everything… significance to the story, significance theologically

Moneychangers… The half Shekal tax, annually every male 20 years old and up

Animals for sacrifice… two doves or pigeons, cattle and sheep,

Taking advantage of the poor…

Second entry… Was on Monday. Luke19:45 “....drive out those who sold” Jesus enters Jerusalem on day 2 and tosses out the moneychangers and the livestock sellers.

This isn't the first time… There was a time before this that Jesus tossed out those that sold and bought in the temple. John is the only gospel writer who records Jesus’s first temple cleansing. This would have been year 1 of his ministry before He publicly revealed Himself as the Messiah. Right after the wedding in Cana where He turned the water to wine.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Jn 2:13–22 13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

v17 It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.

Psalm 69:1–13 “Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore? O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother’s sons. For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me. But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.”

Why did Jesus point them to Pslam 69?… What was Jesus communicating to them through the Psalm?

If we break the Psalm down...

Sinking into the water, the waters of trouble

There are more who hate Him without cause than the number of hairs on his head, they would even destroy Him out of hate

you know the wrongs i have committed, nothing

Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face.

Father God those that seek you are counting on me. So for your names sake, and for the sake of their salvation I have allowed my name to become mud. I have allowed them to insult, mock and ridicule me. All that I do Father God they argue with and question. They seek my very life for all that I have done for you, all that I have done even for them.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.”

Father God despite all that they have done and and plan to do to me my hope is in you and your steadfast love. They will not change my devotion to you o God.

2nd time He has cleansed the temple… So for the second time in His life He has found the temple filled with what should not be there.

Closing

Jesus’s first act on his first visit of the temple was to cleanse it.

His first act on His second visit to the temple was to see if it was still they He had found it the first time.

His first act on His third visit to the temple was to cleanse it out again.

The temple pre Jesus was supposed to be the most Holy place on Earth. The place where man met with God.

When Jesus showed up He found this strange mixture of the worship of God and the business of the world. Not even them legitimate business of the world. It was Gods people taking advantage of Gods people so they could worship God. It was disgusting.

So Jesus went about purifying the temple throwing out what did not belong there.

So here is my message today.