Jesus’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,Look, your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,“Hosanna to the Son of David!Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee” Matthew 21:1-11.
The crowd in this story has always challenged me about how I follow Christ and love Christ. This crowd were so favorable about the arrival of Jesus that the text says, “the very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven” Verses 8 & 9. Notice how this very large crowd was so excited about the Lord coming into Jerusalem.
But notice, too, that this same crowd a short time later lost interest in Jesus when “the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor again said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And the crowd shouted, ‘Barabbas.' 22 Pilate said to the crowd, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ All of them said, ‘Let Him be crucified!' 23 Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let Him be crucified’” Matthew 27:21-23!
Dear friends, consider how easy it is to listen to other outside voices in our lives, and love Jesus one moment and ignore Him the next moment! We are hot and cold, faithful and sinful, followers of Jesus on Monday and people who ignore Jesus on Tuesday! So next year when Palm Sunday comes along and you wave your palm branches in church, remember to wave them the next time you are tempted to walk away from Christ!
Today pray that you and everyone else, especially me, will not be hot Christians on Sunday and stone cold on Monday!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” John 16:33.
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