SUBJ: The public entry of our Lord
into Jerusalem with the declaration that He is the King coming in the
Name of the Lord and that declared in the mouths of true worshipers.
AIM: That we might not be swayed by
the trappings of human religion and see what He would have us to
understand by the manner of His declaration.
INTR: While we observe the
proceedings of this event we would understand that this is a prescribed
declaration of who He is and what He would accomplish and that true
believers would see Him as such. 1. Circumstances were so ordered as
to confound the wise and the mighty. 2. It is to be remembered that
we use the word “triumph” here in that he would in a few days declare
victory over sin and death from a Roman cross. 3. May we be reminded
of the His own position of humility as we lay claim to eternal glory in
Him in all His majesty and splendor.
THESIS: Our Lord manifested in His earthly sojourn the humility
that should be in each of us so that the glory of God is not realized in
the terms of this present world.
I. The arrangements for this
momentous event (vv. 29-35) 1. We would consider first the prophecy
from the Old Testament: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O
daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just,
and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the
foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9. 2. It might have seemed to the
disciples a strange request when they were directed to retrieve the
colt. 3. The cooperation of the owner’s may have surprised them as
well, but at the words “The Lord hath need of him” was enough (whether
of providential operations or that they knew of whom they were
speaking). If the colt were firstborn, he would have had to be redeemed.
4. Next, we consider the submission of the unbroken colt. The lesson to
be seen here is that it was not that the Lord required one that nobody
else had sat on; but that this animal would submit to Him as creator
thus putting rebellious men to shame (For vain man would be wise, though
man be born like a wild ass's colt. Job 11:12). 5. The humble scene
was set. Personal clothing was furnished for Jesus to sit on and He was
put on the animal’s back 1) The Royal procession was furnished in
2) Stark contrast to the pomp and ceremony of the Kings of the earth.
II. The announcement to be made (vv. 36-38) 1. There was to be no
press conference nor would there be a call to grant earthly fame; it
would rather be the voicings of common people having sensed something
that this was the Messiah and having their inhibitions removed declared
loudly the praises due Him by all. 2. Assuredly they had seen the
mighty works and had believed Him to be of God but there was more: 1)
They saw what had been declared of old: 6 Yet have I set my king upon my
holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto
me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Psalms 2:6-7. 2)
They expressed outwardly (spreading garments and branches) as best they
could what they gloriously sensed in their hearts –This is the King
indeed! 3) They were drawn out in true uninhibited worship and cried
loudly what had been revealed to them: Blessed be he that cometh in the
name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
Psalms 118:26 4) This would have been at great peril to themselves in
that acknowledging any king by Caesar was dangerous. 5) They were
echoing what the Angel had declared at His birth.
III. The
arguments answered (vv. 39-40) 1. It seemed that some of the
Pharisees were always about seeking occasion against Jesus and it is no
surprise that they expressed outrage at this wonderful announcement and
the worship that attended it. 2. True worship is not to be stifled in
either occurrence or expression. 3. He will be worshiped, and I would
rather not have a rock replace me therein. 4. Consider that the
stones have much to say: 1) Jacob: And Jacob rose up early in the
morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it
up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. Genesis 28:18 2)
Joshua at the crossing of Jordan – Stones taken from the riverbed and
stones placed in the riverbed. 3) Samuel: Then Samuel took a stone,
and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer,
saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12. 4) And then
be reminded: Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,
an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God
by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5 5) And that those sacrifices are praise
and thanksgiving unto Him who is worthy.
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