Matthew 21:1-17 “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry in Jerusalem”

“Jesus’ Triumphal Entry in Jerusalem”

Jesus had commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Messiah (). This is because the Jewish people would misunderstand how He was the Messiah and try to make Him an earthly king who would drive out the Romans ().

I. Presentation of the Messiah –

A. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey

1. Israelite kings always were presented for inauguration riding a donkey

2. For example, Solomon –

B. Zechariah the prophet prophesied of the Messiah

1.

2. Jesus needed the donkey for this reason and borrowed the donkey and its colt

II. Prompted to Act –

A. The Jewish people

1. Were intensely interested in Jesus and questioning, “Is he the Messiah?”

2. Jesus prepared Himself for entering Jerusalem by going to His friends’ home - Mary, Martha, and Lazarus –

B. The Jewish leaders were jealous and had attempted to kill Jesus many times -– for example, ,

1. The religious leaders wanted to seize Him but were not able because Jesus’ “hour had not come” –

2. These leaders were jealous – ; ,

C. The Passover multitude interpreted Jesus riding into Jerusalem as a Messianic act –

1. Breaking branches of palm trees and rejoicing before the Lord for Messiah has come –

2. The multitudes cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David” –

3. Jesus wept as He entered Jerusalem – The whole city was moved by Jesus’ triumphal ride. This action forced the religious leaders’ hand to act.

III. Purified the Temple –

A. The Temple was the center of Jewish life

1. Because God had promised that His eyes would always be on the Temple –

2. The Temple also was the National Archives

B. Jesus entered the Temple through the “Golden Gate”

1. People needed to change money to pay the Temple tax

2. The Temple, instead of calling people to self-examination, repentance, and dependence upon the mercy of God, had become a place of making money – quoting and

C. The chief priests and scribes

1. Saw the wonderful things Jesus did –

2. They objected to the children worshipping Jesus as the Son of David

3. Jesus quoted in response

Jesus went back to Mary, Martha and Lazarus’ home in Bethany –

Those who worshipped Jesus on Sunday were the same ones who cried out for Jesus to be crucified five days later – Do you worship Jesus Christ for either personal gain or to promote our nation? We must submit to His rule in our heart and to His kingship in His church.