The Triumphal Entry
Matthew 21:1-11
May 13, 2012
Well this morning we get to what I have always considered
The low point of humanity.
While humanity has always been sinful and wicked,
It is without a doubt that on this week humanity out did itself.
We all know what is about to happen on Friday,
It is the most tragic and depressing day of all history.
Sinful man will not only condemn, but publicly mock, torture,
And kill the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
It is the saddest day in history.
Well, if that is the saddest day, this is most certainly the most sickening.
It is one thing to publicly humiliate, condemn and kill the Son of God,
But to first begin by publicly worshiping Him is just a joke.
And this event must have been sickening to Jesus as well, for it is the catalyst to a very pointed section of Scripture in Matthew’s gospel.
For Matthew 21-23 are some of the
Most fiery confrontations of Jesus’ entire ministry.
This section begins with
This hypocritical display called the Triumphal Entry,
Immediately followed by Jesus weeping over Jerusalem (Luke’s gospel)
Then Him clearing the temple.
• During this time He also curses a fig tree (for hypocrisy)
• He calls out the Pharisees for their hypocrisy with three parables:
• The two sons
• The unfaithful vineyard managers
• The wedding banquet
• He publicly argues with the Pharisees over taxes
• He publicly argues with the Sadducees over the resurrection
• He then publicly denounces the scribes and Pharisees in chapter 23, 8 times pronouncing a “woe” on them and 7 times calling them “hypocrites”
• The section ends with Jesus again grieving over the unbelief of Jerusalem.
It is a harsh and confrontational section.
And the theme of the three chapter is blatantly obvious.
HYPOCRISY IS NOT WELCOME!
Jesus hates hypocrisy.
We actually learned that last Sunday night again as we saw God
Kill Ananias and Sapphira for their hypocritical display in the church.
Jesus doesn’t feel much better about it here.
It is a nauseating time.
And yet, at the same time, it is a very unique time.
Church tradition holds that the triumphal entry occurred on Sunday,
It is highly likely that it actually occurred on Monday.
• John 12:1 says Jesus went to Bethany 6 days before the Passover (Saturday)
• John 12:9 speaks of crowds that came to see Him, most likely the following day (Sunday)
• John 12:12 says on the next day He entered Jerusalem.
(This also would mean Jesus was made manifest on the 10th day of the month and killed on the 14th day, fitting the Passover which selected the lamb on the 10th day and killed it on the 14th)
If that is true then on Tuesday he entered the temple and cleansed it.
The unique thing then is that for three days
Jesus had control of the temple exactly as He should have.
For three days (until He took the Passover Thursday night)
Jesus was in complete control.
Sure He debated and argued with the religious leaders,
But He was in complete control.
The tragedy is that this three day event concluded
With Jesus dying upon a cross in humiliation in shame.
But that is what we are beginning here this morning.
It is called “The Triumphal Entry”, and were it not for the fickle hypocrisy of the crowd it would have been a glorious day.
So let’s look at our text this morning and examine this day.
There are three things we recognize in our text.
#1 A MESSIANIC PROPHECY
Matthew 21:1-5
While the crowd does irritate us it is wrong to focus soley on them,
For the event that unfolds before us here is one of absolute beauty.
Jesus here purposely and accurately fulfills yet another prophecy
Thus proving even more so that He is the Messiah of Israel.
You and I understand the purpose of the Old Testament prophecies.
They serve as a sort of road map to help us identify the Messiah.
We know that many false Christ’s will come and deceive many
So it is necessary that we not only listen to the words of such men,
But also examine the fact surrounding their coming.
And the Old Testament was very detailed about certain things
That would indicate the Messiah.
Isaiah 9:6 taught us that a child would be born to David’s line (a fact Matthew verifies about Jesus in chapter 1)
Micah 5:2 tells us that the child would be born in Bethlehem (a fact Matthew verifies about Jesus in chapter 2)
Zechariah 9:9 tells us that the Messiah would arrive seated on a donkey’s colt (a fact Matthew verifies here)
In addition:
Psalms 22:16 tells us that the Messiah would die by having His hands and feet pierced.
Daniel 9:26 told us exactly when the Messiah would die, exactly 483 years from the decree of Artaxerxes to rebuild the temple in 445BC.
Isaiah 53:5 told us why the Messiah would die; “pierced through for our transgressions”
Psalms 16:10 told us that He wouldn’t stay dead for God would not “abandon My soul to Sheol”
And Psalms 2:12 told us if we find such a man,
How we should respond to Him.
Psalms 2:10-12 “Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”
The point is there is no reason why anyone should have
Failed to recognize the Messiah.
And if they have failed to see Him up until now,
Then certainly this event should have settled the issue.
Jesus specifically fulfills one of the most direct prophecies
In all the Old Testament.
• David may well have had many young boys born as descendants…
• Many of these young boys may well have been born in Bethlehem…
• Some may even have died as criminals on the cross…
But how many of them ever entered Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt
Exactly when Daniel said they would and declared themselves king?
This was unmistakable.
And following our story line, you know where we are.
Jesus has been making His way to Jerusalem for a couple of weeks now,
Recently coming through Jericho and healing a couple of blind beggars.
Since then Jesus navigated that dangerous 14 mile pass from Jericho up to Jerusalem, and has now come to “Bethphage at the Mount of Olives”
And when He gets here He has a direct command for two of His disciples.
(2-3) “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
Two things instantly jump out at us there.
1) HIS SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Jesus knew exactly where the donkey and colt would be.
2) HIS SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY
Jesus knew they were for Him, and He even orchestrated the events
So that when the disciples would be asked about it
(as both Mark and Luke indicate) all they would have to say is
“The Lord has need of them” and immediately he will send them.”
This was not an event left up to chance…
This was not a coincidental fulfillment…
It also indicates that Jesus didn’t just get caught up in some sort of hysteria and accidentally die in Jerusalem at this time.
(as some have suggested)
It is clear that Jesus is in control here.
He knows what is going on.
And Matthew does too.
(4-5) “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, ‘BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.'”
As we said earlier, Zechariah specifically prophesied that
When the Messiah would come He would come sitting on “a colt” of “a beast of burden”
This in and of itself is strange.
• Kings going to war rode red horses.
• Kings coming back in victory rode white ones.
• Kings displaying their glory rode in chariots with great pomp and circumstance.
But riding a donkey was not a noble thing to do.
But Zechariah said this is how it would happen,
And this is precisely how Jesus fulfilled it.
And so don’t miss the point.
Jesus is declaring Himself the king.
A Messianic Prophecy
#2 A MAGNIFICENT PARADE
Matthew 21:6-9
First we see that the disciples did as they were commanded
And it all worked out precisely as Jesus said it would.
(6-7) “The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats.”
They found the donkey…
The brought the donkey…
And Jesus sat on the colt.
And then comes the display.
(8-9) “Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!”
Just to sort of explain what is going on here.
The crowd is spreading “their coats on the road” as a symbolic gesture.
This was done for kings and dignitaries
As a way for the people to honor the king and say
“We want you to reign” even if you have to walk over us to do it.
It was a demonstration of loyalty and honor and submission
And even sacrifice.
Others were cutting palm “branches and spreading them in the road.”
This was a picture of joy and salvation and certainly foreshadowed
The true coronation of Jesus coming in heaven.
Revelation 7:9-10 “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
But it was certainly a magnificent event.
And then we hear their shouts.
“Hosanna to the Son of David;”
“Hosanna” is an exclamatory term meaning “save now!”
They were looking to this victorious king to be their deliverer,
Not from sin, but from Rome.
They were jumping behind their war hero
And their conqueror of Roman oppression.
That is also why they were quoting from Psalms 118:26
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”
We talked about this a few weeks ago on Sunday night as Peter quoted from this chapter to indicate that the chief priests had killed the Messiah.
But turn back to Psalm 118
Psalms 113-118 comprises what is called “The Hallel”
It was the hymn Jesus and the disciples sang after the Passover meal
As they were headed to the garden.
It is the Psalm of a champion.
• You could outline David’s victory over Goliath with the Psalm.
• The Jews actually quoted it for Judas Macabeas after defeating Greece to win
Israel’s independence.
But it’s most perfect fulfillment was for the Messiah.
I told you on that Sunday night, but for those who weren’t here,
Mark this Psalm as follows
And you can go look back at it later on your own.
(5-7) Gethsemane
(8-9) Gabbatha (John 19:13)
(10-14) Golgotha
(15-18) Graveside
(19-21) Glory
This was the victory of the Messiah
And the remainder of the Psalm is the cry of the people
Asking for this deliverer to come and save
(Read 22-29)
And so it is obvious what the people are doing.
They are honoring Jesus in every possible way they can.
• They are spreading their coats on the road…
• They are cutting palm branches and putting them in the road…
• They are quoting Psalm 118 declaring Him the coming conqueror…
And they continue singing, “Hosanna in the highest!”
This was quite a parade.
Jesus is receiving all sorts of glory and honor and praise.
Luke’s gospel even reveals that it gets to the religious leaders of the day.
Luke 19:37-40 “As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting: “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”
The idea is that it was such a display that the Pharisees
Thought it to be blasphemous and wanted it stopped.
Jesus revealed that on this day, at this time, it could not be stopped,
For if the people quit the stones would take over.
And so you see a Messianic Prophecy and a Magnificent Parade
#3 A MISSED POINT
Matthew 21:10-11
And here is the part that just causes you to drop your head.
(10-11) “When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
So here comes the parade, here comes the shouting, and “the city was stirred” and everyone wanted to know who it was.
And notice how the crowds instantly change their tune.
WHO IS IT?
“the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee”
NO NO NO NO NO NO
This is the Messiah Jesus, born in Bethlehem, sent from heaven!
And the people didn’t see it at all.
This entire display was nothing but a sham
And a picture of hypocrisy.
It is no wonder that at the end of this section on hypocrisy
Jesus will look at Jerusalem and say:
Matthew 23:37-39 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. “Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! “For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'”
They refused to get it, they refused to understand it.
This event is the pinnacle event of hypocrisy.
On Monday they are yelling “Hosanna!” On Friday they will yell, “Crucify!”
On Monday He is fixed on a donkey, On Friday He will be fastened to a cross
On Monday they testify about Him, On Friday they will testify against Him.
On Monday they meet Him in curiosity, On Friday they mock Him in cruelty.
• Is it any wonder that from there Jesus is going to clear the temple?
• Is it any wonder that from there Jesus will curse a fig tree for hypocrisy?
• Is it any wonder that Jesus is about to lower the boom on the Pharisees?
These people were putting on a hypocritical display
And Jesus doesn’t tolerate it.
Friends, we learn some very important truths from this story.
1) Jesus is the Messiah, as verified by fulfilled prophecy.
We don’t just follow Jesus because our grandparents did,
Or because our parents did.
We don’t just follow Jesus because we like what He has to say.
We follow Jesus because Scripture clearly points to Him
As the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world.
But that isn’t all we learn.
2) Praising Jesus today means nothing if we curse Him tomorrow
I fully realize that we are Gentiles not Jews
And to some degree we cannot be compared.
Israel received special blessings and their unbelief is inexcusable.
But, there are some comparisons that are still too easily made.
In America we live in a time where it is easy to be religious.
And we live in a day where a little outward religion
Seems to be all some people think it takes.
• Go to church on Sunday
• Sing the hymns
• Do your time
But what about Monday – Saturday?
Are you praising Jesus then?
Are you honoring Him then?
Jesus wasn’t just looking for people who would
Praise Him on Monday at this parade.
• He wanted someone to stand with Him when He cleared the temple on
Tuesday.
• He wanted someone that would debate the Pharisees with Him on
Wednesday.
• He wanted someone that would pray in the Garden with Him on Thursday.
• He wanted someone that would take up a cross and follow Him on Friday.
Do we remember what He told people when they wanted to follow?
Luke 9:57-62 “As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Jesus wanted people who said they would follow to really follow,
Not to just pretend like they loved Him while He was popular.
Could you imagine a more heart-breaking scene for Him
Then to have people praising Him in the crowd today
And then to see those same people yelling crucify on Friday?
Listen to me church, this is not where you follow Jesus.
Out in the world is where you follow Jesus.
Jesus is not confessed in Sunday school,
• He is confessed in the grocery store,
• He is confessed in the break room,
• He is confessed on the golf course,
• He is confessed in the places when it isn’t popular.
As you will see over the course of the next couple of weeks,
Jesus is not interested in the least
In some sort of token, pretend type of follower.
He wants genuine, committed, fruit-bearing followers,
Anything else is just a member of a parade.
Now, do you want to know what Jesus thought about the parade?
Luke 19:36-44 “As He was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting: “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
• Jesus didn’t rejoice over this parade for even a second.
• Jesus wasn’t fooled by this parade for even a second.
• The second the parade was over Jesus wept.
This event broke His heart.
Friends, be real, be genuine and follow Christ
More than just in the places when the crowd is going along with Him.
Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”
