Daily Devotions
Matthew
The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Text: Matthew 21 : 1 - 16
All was now prepared for the fulfilling of the ancient prophecy of Zechariah. The donkey and the foal were found. Jesus was going to use the foal of the donkey. The presence of the parent donkey would ensure that the foal would not attempt to balk and throw the person sitting on it.
“So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.
They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them,
and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread
their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from
the trees and spread them on the road.”
MATTHEW 21:6-8
1. Messianic consciousness
Though the multitudes did not always display depth of understanding, nevertheless there appeared to be a kind of “Messianic consciousness” in their hearts. Somehow, when they saw Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a foal of a donkey, their hearts were moved.
2. Both disciples and the multitude
The disciples laid their outer garment on the foal of the donkey so that Jesus would be more comfortable. The garments would form a kind of a saddle for Him. It would also prove more comfortable for the foal, which appears to be as yet unweaned.
If indeed this was the Messianic-King, then the loyal subjects must greet Him appropriately. What could they offer this King as He rode into Jerusalem? The multitude decided that they would lay their garments on the ground for Jesus to walk on, or at least for the foal to walk on. It had a similar meaning. It was an act of loyal obeisance! The cutting down of branches had a similar meaning.
SHOUTS OF PRAISE
Suddenly, the multitudes began to shout out an ancient prayer. The words of an ancient psalm came to mind and then appeared on their lips.
“Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed
cried out, saying,
‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! ”
Hosanna in the highest!”
And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved,
Saying, ‘Who is this?’ So the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus,
the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.'”
MATTHEW 21: 9-11
“Hosanna to the Son of David”
The word “hosanna” is a cry for salvation. Used in the context above, it was a cry to the Son of David. It was a cry of a people who need help desperately. It was meant as a cry of recognition of the Person described as “The Son of David” – an obvious Messianic title.
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, He was greeted as One who had come in the Name of the Lord! (These words were taken directly from Psalm 118:26). This was meant to be a cry of faith.
A WHOLE CITY MOVED
Matthew was right to describe the whole city of Jerusalem being moved by the triumphal entry of Jesus. The cry of the multitudes was not just an initial shout of praise.
1. Those who had been healed
Surely these would add their shouts of praise with the multitude. They had every reason to give praise to the One who healed them.
2. Those who were disciples
The disciples of Jesus must have been in the thick of the shouting of praise to their beloved Teacher. They would do anything to help people recognize Jesus for who He was!
3. Those who were just bystanders
The Passover feast drew tens of thousands into the city of Jerusalem. People came from far and wide to celebrate the Passover in the holy city. Some of them would not have known Jesus, and thus they prompt the question, ‘Who is this?’
A PARTIALLY CORRECT ANSWER
The shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David” came from a mixed multitude. There were those who cried out to Jesus as the Messianic Son of David. However, not all had that measure of faith. Some could only say, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Jesus was indeed a prophet! But He was much more than a prophet. No prophet in Israel’s history had ever been called “The Son of David”. This title was reserved for only One Person – the Messiah Himself!
SIGNIFICANCE NOT LOST
Despite the fact that not all everyone could recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Triumphal Entry was not in vain. There was no loss of significance at all! His entrance into Jerusalem on such a triumphant note fulfilled the Scriptures! It gave opportunity to all to discover more about Jesus. Above all, Jesus was given the recognition that He well and truly deserved as the Messianic Son of David! “Hosanna in the highest!”