Triumphal Entry
Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-19
Supplementary scriptures: Zechariah 9:9-13, 2 Kings 9:1-13
The triumphal entry references Jesus’ descent from Mount of Olives into Jerusalem. The event is often mentioned to have taken place on “Palm Sunday”, or the day that marked the final week of Jesus’ ministry on earth before his death and resurrection. This brief event is mentioned in all four accounts of the Gospel story, so it must be a big deal, right?
In short - yes, and Matthew and John allude to one of the major reasons why. The prophet Zechariah prophesied that the King of Israel will come “righteous and having salvation... Humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt. The foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9-10)*.
By entering Jerusalem in the way that fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah, Jesus was making a statement:
YOUR KING IS HERE.
And He is not just any king, He is the Messiah.
He is the one and only King of Israel. He is the King promised to not only rule over His people, but to SAVE his people and bring PEACE to the nations (Zechariah 9:10-11).
This was certainly not lost upon the people of Jerusalem, as evidenced by their cheers at the sight of Jesus on the colt, shouting the word of God back to him in praise - “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” and “Hosanna in the highest!**” (Psalm 118:25-26)(Matt. 21:9). Further solidifying their acceptance of Jesus’ public declaration as King, the people throw branches (sometimes referred to as palm leaves) and robes in His path, a ritual reminiscent of the coronation of King Jehu hundreds of years earlier (2 Kings 9:1-13).
Luke makes clear that Jesus is trying to make another message known as well:
YOUR KING IS HERE.
And He is worthy of our unadulterated praise.
This was not just an exciting time for the people of Jerusalem, but also for the disciples of Jesus. It is no longer a secret that Jesus is the true king of Israel. His disciples are now encouraged to worship and praise him openly:
“37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen”
Luke 19:37
The Pharisees attempted to stifle the praises of the disciples, demanding that Jesus rebuke them for their praise, but Jesus refused, saying:
“I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”
Luke 19:40
The glory of God is so great, and the coming of Jesus is so worthy of praise, that it is impossible to silence. The Pharisees could silence the people or Jesus’ disciples, but then creation itself will cry out in praise to Him (Psalm 148:7-13, Psalm 96:11-12). One way or another, God will always be worthy of praise, and He will always receive that praise. Jesus, being God in the flesh, is no exception to that. People of Jerusalem and the disciples could not help but praise Jesus because they were created to do it.
This is why worshiping the Lord feels so good.
It is ingrained in us to worship.
We were created to do it, just as the rest of God’s perfect creation was.
So what should we do with this information?
It’s simple really, we should worship.
Worship Him regularly through prayer, through being in his word, through sharing the gospel, or through singing.
Worship alone and worship together.
Worship boldly and confidently.
Worship God when you see his amazing works in your life and in those around you. Worship God for the amazing things you hope to see Him do.
Through this passage we witness that God transforms a worshiping heart, and that a transformed heart cannot help but worship.
Here are some questions to help you reflect:
When can you insert worship throughout your day today?
How will you worship during those times?
What will you be worshiping the Lord for?
His character?
What He has done?
What you hope He will do?
*If you can’t get enough of the donkey prophecies, check out Genesis 49:8-11 as well.
** the English “Hosanna” translates to the Hebrew word “hoshi’a na, meaning “please, save!”.
