Good morning,
The next six weeks we will be studying Jesus’ last week on earth and Passover.
This week, we will look at four perspectives of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. They come from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The Triumphal Entry in All Four Gospels
All four of the Gospel accounts record Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem but each one chose to include certain details important to their respective audiences.
MARK 11:1-11
And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
John Mark, known more simply as Mark, wrote this account primarily to Gentile [non-Jewish] believers – specifically those living in Rome. These men and women, for the most part, were not necessarily well-versed in the Old Testament which is why he did not include any specific reference to Jesus fulfilling ancient prophecies. Instead, Mark focused his account more on the arrival of Israel’s humble King who was bringing about the very Kingdom of God.
Roman believers would have been accustomed to royal parades and grand entrances of the emperor. However, their leader(s) would have more than likely ridden on horseback to signify strength, power, authority, and conquest. Therefore, what Mark was pointing out was that Israel’s King is like no other king – He is humble and bringing peace. And His patience is demonstrated in the fact that Jesus walked into the temple, saw all of the evil that was going on, yet held His tongue and controlled His emotions by leaving for the night. As Mark would go on to describe, Jesus came back the next day to clean house.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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