The Triumphal Entry
Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:1-11
It was Passover time. Jerusalem and the whole surrounding neighborhood was crowded with pilgrims. It was estimated that there were two and a hall million people had crowded their way into Jerusalem for this national festival. The law required that every adult male Jew who lived within twenty miles of Jerusalem must come to the Passover.
Three things about the Lord Jesus Christ in his journey to Jerusalem.
1. It Shows Us Jesus’ Courage: He took the final journey.
Jesus knew that the journey to Jerusalem was his last, a journey that would lead to his death, burial and resurrection.
17 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!" ~Matt 20:17-19 (NIV)
2. It Shows Us Jesus’ Claim: He is the Messiah
He is the Messiah, the Anointed One, the chosen one of God to be the savoir of the world. He is the righteous Savior bringing salvation to the world.
9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. ~Zech 9:9 (NIV)
3. It Shows Us Jesus’ Appeal: He is the King of Peace
Jesus comes as a King of Peace. Jesus came humbly and riding upon an ass. Often a king came riding upon an ass, but when he did, it was the sign that he came in peace.
9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. ~Zech 9:9 (NIV)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. ~Matt 5:9 (NIV)
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." ~Rom 12:18-20 (NIV)
No comments:
Post a Comment