Hosanna!
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Today we are remembering and celebrating what is the most significant week in all history—the final week of Jesus that led to His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection!
This last week is captured in 8 out of the 28 chapters of Matthew (almost 1/3); 7 of 16 chapters of Mark (nearly 1/2); 6 out of 24 chapters of Luke (1/4); and 9 out of 21 chapters of John (just under 1/2).
Jesus spent 3 1/2 years ministering, but a huge part of what the gospels relate of his life and ministry are the details of this final week of Jesus’ ministry. This shows the significance of this final week.
I want to encourage us all to spend time reading about Jesus’ final week of ministry. Imagine if you knew you had just one week to live. Would you think about what you wanted to pass on to your loved ones and friends? I imagine we all would take time to think through what we consider the most important things we wanted to pass on. I imagine that Jesus may have done this as well. What did He feel were the most important things to do and say during this final week? Let’s take time to look at this all week long.
Friday, we will take time to consider the very last things Jesus said, the things He said while on the cross.
Let’s begin, by reading what happened on that Sunday so long ago, when Jesus was making the final leg of His journey to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.
We will be reading in Matthew 21, verses 1 to 11.
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,
saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.
If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.
They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Let’s pray and ask God to speak to us from His word today.
Jesus our Courageous King
Jesus our Courageous King
In different settings, we see Jesus walking in the midst of crowds, or with His disciples. Luke and Mark both point out something that was different this time.
Luke 19:28
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Mark 10:32, picking up Jesus’ journey just a little before this point of sending two disciples to get the donkey, put it this way...
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.
It was well known that the leaders in Jerusalem hated Jesus. They wanted to kill Him. We have seen that over the past weeks as we have been studying through John.
How many of us would want to travel to a city where people hated us? Yet that is what Jesus was doing. And he was not going in the midst of His disciples, using them as body-guards. He was leading the way, and determinedly going to Jerusalem. Not only that, He literally took the disciples aside and told them exactly what was going to happen.
“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles,
who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
He knew all that was going to happen, and yet He was leading the way. He was leading the charge to Jerusalem.
Why would He do that? No reluctance. No timidness. No holding back?
Hebrews 12:2 tells us…
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For the joy set before Him… The beatings and crucifixions were not a joy. God never said that all things will be good in our lives. And Jesus certainly experienced the worst of life.
However, God does promise to work all things together for the ultimate good of those who love Him! And God used this horrible suffering of Jesus to provide salvation for everyone who will believe!
Gospel
Jesus was enduring that cross with His journey to Jerusalem that Sunday so long ago. He was our courageous King who showed us how to endure the trials of this world, by looking ahead to the joy before us.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
We need to fix our eyes on Him, and the joy set before us! Let’s not grow weary and lost heart. This week, look at what Jesus did for us, and remember why He did it. The joy set before Him. Ask Him to remind you of the joy set before you… Eternal life with Him!, so that you will not grow weary.
Jesus our Authoritative King
Jesus our Authoritative King
saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it,
some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?”
They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.
Can you imagine what it must have been like for those two disciples?
Go borrow the colt of a donkey. Just get it and bring it. He did not tell them to go rent a donkey. He said, untie it and bring it here.
Just say, “The Lord needs it.”
This was actually a part of the culture. A king or dignitary could demand the use of anything. They just needed to use the formula, “The Lord needs it.”
This meant the person with authority claims this, and it needs to be done.
Jesus really does have all authority. He is the Creator. The Lord of Heaven and Earth. Later in Matthew we here Him say, “All authority in Heaven and Earth” is His.
So, when someone with authority tells us to do something, what should we do?
These two disciples were the first that faced this dilemma. The Lord told them to go to a town that was not their own. He told them they would see a donkey with a colt as they entered the town. And, that they were to untie a donkey that was not theirs. It was not like going to their own hometown, where they likely knew the folks. Hey, Jim-bob, its me. Jesus sent me to borrow your donkey. Hey, thanks, cuz.
No. These would be strangers. And, they were not to ask first. They were simply to untie it.
Then, the people there were expected to just relinquish this donkey without being told who the Lord was?
Yes. they were expected to do all of this, simply because that is what Jesus said to do.
Jesus has all authority. What He tells us to do, we must do.
So, here’s the question: What is He telling you to do?
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Rejoice always,
pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not treat prophecies with contempt
but test them all; hold on to what is good,
reject every kind of evil.
Rejoice in all circumstances? Be at peace? Be patient? What is He telling you to do even if it doesn’t make sense to you? Are you doing it?
And for those times when it doesn’t make sense to us...
Jesus our Trustworthy King
Jesus our Trustworthy King
We can trust Him. Just like those two disciples, we will see how things work out when we obey.
And, sometimes we will even get a bigger understanding of why we had to do certain things, in certain ways, at a certain time.
I like the way John records this...
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
They did not know or understand the significance of Jesus wanting a colt to ride on. But it was specifically a colt on purpose! God worked things out that that colt would be at that town on the way to Jerusalem. God worked it out that the owners would let them take the colt. Why? Because God was fulfilling what He said, a sign for all to see and understand who Jesus is!
Over 500 years before Jesus came, God gave this sign of the coming savior to His people Israel, through the prophet Zechariah.
Let’s read this prophecy.
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
God made so many promises, including this one about the Messiah coming on a colt to Jerusalem! He was coming with righteousness and victory! However, He was not coming as a warrior, a conquering King. He was coming in humility and gentleness to bring peace!
The disciples had to obey without fully understanding what was going to happen. The people were needing to trust God’s promise to send the savior who would bring righteousness and victory to them.
God was faithful to His word. He is always faithful to His word. We just need to trust Him!
These people were struggling through life under the rule of Rome. They were waiting for the Messiah who would come and rescue them, Just as God had rescued their ancestors who were slaves in Egypt so long ago. God promised He would. Now, God is delivering on His promise. He is faithful and trustworthy to do exactly what He says.
What about you and me? What is going on in our lives? Do we need victory? Do we feel the need for righteousness? God promised to give us victory and righteousness through Jesus. He promised that we would have trials in this world, but that He would give us the grace we need each moment. He promised to never leave us, nor forsake us!
What is your specific struggle? What makes you feel trapped? Where do you need victory in life? Is it some sin that you struggle with? Is it fear? Is it loneliness? What has you in bondage?
What has God promised specifically related to that which has you bound up? What do you need to trust? Find the promises related to your struggle. Trust Him, and then step out in obedience to do what He commands. Just do the next thing. Just get the colt. Don’t worry about how it is going to work out. Just trust Him and do the next thing. Find out just how trustworthy He is, today!
Jesus our Praiseworthy King
Jesus our Praiseworthy King
As we find how trustworthy He is, it should lead us to praise Him! He is our Praiseworthy King.
That is what happened as Jesus went into Jerusalem.
Let’s read it again.
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “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 heaven!”
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Hosanna is an expression that means God Saves! He does. These people were recognizing God’s salvation, the Savior, Jesus! They were rejoicing that God is the One with all authority who sent the Messiah just as He promised! He was here! The King who would bring righteousness and victory.
They were quoting from Psalm 118, which ends with this:
You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
We need to remember God who is our salvation. We need to remember and give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His lovingkindness is everlasting! He has provided all that we need for life and godliness in Jesus, our Lord!
Take time this week to list out what God has done for you! Take time to praise Him who is worthy of all praise for all He has done, and all He is doing in your life!
Jesus our Peace-giving King
Jesus our Peace-giving King
This is a great time as they are entering Jerusalem. You would think that Jesus is full of joy that He is being received in this way. I imagine Him smiling, laughing, encouraging everyone as they are singing His praises, and laying down their coats for the colt. He should be enjoying this welcome as the king He is.
And I am sure there was that.
However, there is another set of emotions welling up in Jesus at the same time.
Luke records this for us.
Look with me at Luke 19:41-42.
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it
and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
They were rejoicing in the victory and righteousness that Jesus was bringing, just as God foretold in Zechariah.
However, they were missing it. They were looking only to the physical kingdom of God. They were looking only to the physical overthrow of Rome, and the earthly kingdom of David being restored.
They were missing what they really needed before those things could come. They were missing the repentance. They were missing the need to be set free from their spiritual bondage to sin. They were missing the peace they needed with God whom they had long ago abandoned to worship things of this world.
They forgot that to have peace with God, their rebellion needed to be paid for. They did not recognize that before they could have the physical kingdom, their sin needed to be dealt with. The punishment needed to be paid.
They forgot the other prophecies from Zechariah.
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
And
“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
In the whole land,” declares the Lord, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.
This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ”
They forgot that in order for them to have peace, their Great Shepherd would be struck by His own people. That many of His own people would perish in their sin, and only a remnant would be saved and know peace with God, when He will finally say, “They are My people,” and they will say, “The LORD is my God.”
As we mentioned before, we all have sinned, and were cut off from God. We were His enemies. Jesus came to bring us peace with God. It would cost Him dearly to bring us that peace.
And even after we have that peace with God, there will still be a refining fire, trials in this life through which we can know peace if we keep our eyes on Him, the one who brings us peace with God, and peace in our trials.
What are you going through today? Do you know peace? Do you know peace with God, that your debt from sin has been paid? Do you know peace in the midst of your trials, that God is working for your good, to refine you into His image? He is working to give you peace in the midst of whatever storm you are facing? He is with you. He wants to give you peace and hope. Life will be difficult, but He will give you peace.
Do you know peace today?
Is Jesus your king?
Is Jesus your king?
Courageous
Authoritative
Trustworthy
Praiseworthy
Peace-giving
Homework
Sunday: Luke 19:11-44. Notice how Jesus spoke of going away to be made king. He was going away to be made king shortly. Other passages tell us that after He died and rose again, He ascended to Heaven and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father until His enemies are made His footstool. In the future, He will return as King. In the parable the man who was going off to be made king entrusted His possessions to His servants. What has Jesus entrusted to you? What will He say to you if He comes back today? Will He say you have been faithful with what He entrusted to you? What will it take to hear that from Him? Is there anything else that stands out to you in this section?
Monday: Read Mark 11:12-18. It was not the season for figs, however, the fig tree had leaves. Typically, when it had leaves, it should have fruit. This was a living parable of the Jews of the day. They had leaves—every outward sign of truly worshiping and following the Lord. However, there was no fruit. As Jesus said elsewhere, these people’s lips praise the Lord, but their hearts are far from me. How are you doing? Do you have the outward signs of a true disciple? How is your heart? Is it truly the heart of a disciple, a slave of the Lord? What else stood out to you in this passage?
Tuesday: Read Luke 20:1-22:6. Jesus’ authority was truly questioned by the religious leaders. I could not imagine questioning His authority like that. But do we? Do we truly live like Jesus has all authority? Do we truly obey Him? What commands of Jesus are you not obeying? Let’s take time this week to confess how we are like these religious teachers who put o the show of being religious, yet we often fail to put ourselves under Jesus’ authority to love others, to serve others and not ourselves, to forgive others, to speak only what is true, good and beneficial for the hearer, to Love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Wednesday: Read John 13 and Matthew 26:17-30. This final week of Jesus, He truly tried to get His disciples to understand that they were to love and serve one another. He talked about it on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem (Mark 10:35-45). Jesus truly gave us the example to follow in being a servant. How are you doing well at serving others? How might you improve and be more like Jesus?
Thursday: Read John 14-17. Jesus had a lot of encouragement for His disciples. What encourages you from these chapters? Share that with someone.
Friday: Read John 18-19; Luke 22:39-23:56. Reflect on what Jesus went through for you. Why did He do it? Reflect on what Jesus said to the thief on the cross who believed in Him. How does this bring you hope?
Saturday: Read Matthew 28. Praise the Lord that Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin and death! How does that bring you hope, today?