Good morning,
The triumphal entrance of Jesus to Jerusalem was a spectacular event. Multitudes lined the roadway. They spread their garments and cut down palm branches and threw them on the road. This procession was one fit for a King.
However, when they arrived in Jerusalem, the people inquired who this was. No welcoming committee. No dignitaries. When they arrived at the Temple, Jesus was greeted by money changers and those who were buying and selling.
Again, no one to welcome King Jesus, Messiah of Israel. In fact, the religious leaders were offended by Him.
Matthew 21:1-17 paints the picture of God’s Messiah Jesus entering into the Holy City, Jerusalem, to rebuke and ridicule.
Triumphal Entry (1-11)
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way.9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
Jesus at the Temple (12-17)
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves,13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Prophecy was being fulfilled. This put the religious leaders in an awkward position. They knew that Jesus was the Messiah. There acknowledgement of this fact would mean that they would lose their lofty positions of power, rank, and wealth. They refused. Their next step was how to silence Jesus. Eventually, it was decided death was the only option.
They unknowingly set in motion the fulfillment of more prophetical Scriptures.
God had this all planned before the beginning of time. He knew every event, each time line, and how it would all turn out.
NEVER EVER be tempted to believe God is not in control of every situation in your life. He is!
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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