Matthew 21:1-11
21 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4 [b]All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, [c]and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 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!”
10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

The one thing that is next to impossible to do is to wake up and not hear something regarding the Novel Coronavirus.  I would like to begin today by not thinking about this whole thing the world is going through called a pandemic. This is a world event that has touched every human being. 

People are living in fear, which we have talked about in previous posts “Be Not Afraid”. If you get out to breathe a little and go anywhere at all where there are other people you can see this fear in their demeanor, in their faces, and in the way they communicate.

This time of being ordered to stay home has presented some opportunities for all of us.  It has caused us to be closer to immediate family, time to slow down and pray and be in God’s word.  We have been forced by this situation to do things we might not otherwise find time to do. For me, I have been walking a lot since the gym is not open.

It is very interesting to me how people on the street respond.  One of my favorite places to walk is down by the majestic Rio Grande.  The best way to experience the Rio Grande is to walk along the hundreds of miles of trails that run along the banks of this truly beautiful river.

I love to stand on the bank of the river and take in the quiet peaceful beauty of the water as it winds through the cottonwood forest of the Rio Grande Valley.  The scenery and peacefulness are unaffected by the current events of the world.

What is different though are the people.  They don’t make eye contact, very few if anyone will so much as say “hi”, as though you can catch the virus from acknowledging someone’s presence as you pass by on the trail.

The whole thing has quite literally changed the behavior of society.  Whether it will ever be the same will remain to be seen. Most people I talk to say things will never be the same.  Honestly, it will be interesting to see. People are funny creatures, and once the status quo returns society has a way of finding the path of comfort and mundane.

When the 2008 Financial Crisis due to the super high default rate on the United States subprime loans came tumbling down and hit the world stage, it had a global impact that made people feel like the world was coming to an end.

The good news is that by the grace and provision of our Lord and Savior we will make it through this time just as we did then.  Life may look different, but we will adapt and go on and this time will become a memory. 

My intention here is not to minimize what we are all facing right now, or what we are feeling, or going through as a result of this pandemic crisis. My intention is to direct our attention to what Jesus did when He entered Bethpage and made His Triumphal Entry. 

Jesus touched the world in all forms of time.  Jesus impacted historical time, the present time, and the future time when He completed His work on the cross, and it started with the Triumphal Entry. This impact is one to stop and ponder, wonder, and marvel at.

Bethphage Was The Starting Point

Enough can be said about this event when Jesus entered Jerusalem to a part called Bethphage. It was a busy time of Passover.  People traveled long distances to Jerusalem. This year was, however, going to be unlike any other Passover those people and the world would ever witness.

Only Jesus fully knew what was about to take place.  The Triumphal Entry, the busy Passover week to follow would ultimately come to a Triumphal Victory at the cross, and no one had any idea of the week to follow.

People could see Jesus as a nonconforming angry person.  Especially when Jesus was in the temple overturning tables of the money changers, those who bought and sold in the temple for their own financial gain V.12.

It was important to not miss the mission of God being fulfilled through His Son during that time, and Jesus needed to remove distractions and bring attention to the coming events, and He did.

As Jesus gave two of His disciple’s instructions to go and borrow a donkey, and not just any donkey, a colt, one that had never been ridden, He prepared for His entry.

Do you think this entry into Bethphage didn’t bring attention to Jesus?  If there was ever a time that Jesus wanted all eyes on Him, it was now. Jesus told many after He had healed them to not tell anyone because it was not time. 

There were no stopping people from taking notice and talking about the miracles Jesus was performing.  There was no stopping the news of the power and miracles performed in God’s name.

A king entering on a donkey?  Not a stately entrance, not one that would demonstrate power. But one that would show and demonstrate humility.  Just like Jesus going to the cross, He was led there like a sheep to the slaughter. No resistance, but willingly Jesus Christ died in your place for you.

Let’s not forget that Israel was under the heavy hand of Roman rule and oppression during this time.  The people were looking for an answer to their immediate political and societal concerns. Jesus was looking far beyond the immediate needs of His people. God was looking to the eternal needs of His children and the relationship He desired to have with you.  The thing is, God was willing to pay the price.

Fickle Minded People

While God demonstrated His love for His children without a second thought notice the response of the people when they saw and heard Jesus was coming. 

They had heard of Jesus.  They praised Jesus. They placed their clothing on the donkey colt.  They laid palm branches in the road to resemble a red-carpet entrance worthy of their new king. 

They praised Him and cried out together V.9

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

Hosanna in the highest!”

Many people had been witness to the miracles He had performed, and if not a witness they had surely heard of His works by now.

There was no question this person called Jesus had power and was favored by God, and surely He could save them from their current trials and tribulations.  The people had hope that Jesus was their king who could deliver them from the heavy-handed rule of the government.

Due to the short-sightedness of the people they could not see the big picture of God’s plan not just save a nation, but to save a lost world.

The people were right in that there is no government that can stand against the Kingdom of God.  God is completely sovereign and always in control even when it may seem to you that things are completely off the rails.

When things are seemingly out of control, what happens to your faith? Does it focus more intently on the power and grace of God? Do you remember and recall all the promises of God?  Do we forget who is really in charge here?

21 And He changes the times and the seasons;

He removes kings and raises up kings;

He gives wisdom to the wise

And knowledge to those who have understanding.

22 He reveals deep and secret things;

He knows what is in the darkness,

And light dwells with Him.  Daniel 2:21-22

But when things would seemingly take a turn for the worst later in the week and Jesus would go on trial and be convicted to death on a cross the very same people would turn on Him and join together in yelling “Crucify Him.” (Mark 15:13-15)

People and society are very easily swayed by common opinion and tossed to and fro and carried about like by every wind of doctrine.  (Ephesians 4:13-15)

What would happen if we stood firm in our faith no matter what was going on around us?  What would it take? The answer is simple…Faith in Jesus!  Remembering that no matter what is happening the victory has already been won at Calvary.

It doesn’t matter what denomination you are, if Jesus is your savior and you truly believe He alone is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father but through Him, (John 14:16) then you are committed to trusting in Jesus and believing on one sovereign and powerful God.

Jesus Was Like No Other King

Jesus did what no other king, ruler, or president in history would do or ever do after Him.  Jesus was committed to serving His people. Jesus was passionate about doing the will of Father God.  There has never been nor will there ever be any kind of rule who will hold a candle to our Lord.

Jesus Christ was the holiest, giving, loving, and compassionate King in all of eternity.  The giving Spirit of God was manifest in His Son when Jesus Christ made that entry into Jerusalem.  The people felt like they didn’t have a life.

Jesus’ mission was to make life easier and more comfortable in the present time and age.

The mission Jesus was on was to conquer death and give all who would believe in Him, and who He is, life eternal.

This was not something most people of that time or our current time can begin to wrap their minds around.  It is easy to fall into tradition and ritual, just as the great high priest appointed for the year would prepare to go into the Holy of Holies.

While tradition and ritual direct us to our beliefs and faith, the work Jesus set out to complete at the most notable entry into  Jerusalem is one that we as Christians and children of God should hold so dear to our hearts like it happened today.

This isn’t just a time of year to celebrate another holiday. It’s the time to celebrate the work about to be completed for you at Calvary.  The completed and victorious work on the cross is not be commemorated annually, but to be celebrated daily with our life.

Jesus would not only go into the temple and overturn tables of those seeking to profit and seek personal gain from selling in the temple, but He would also do amazing things that demonstrated His love and passion.

When the rulers and chief priests who were “indignant” sought to ultimately kill the Son of God, Jesus maintained His focus and mission, which was serving and loving.

Jesus would go on this week to set a Passover table and feast that would be completed with the breaking and blessing of bread and wine signifying His body and blood that was willingly and gladly given for you and all of mankind.

Jesus would put a towel around His waist, take a basin with water and do the unthinkable.  Jesus would perform the task reserved for lowly servants of a household. That task was the washing of feet.  Nothing was to low for Jesus to do and He proved that on the cross.

While people vacillated with Jesus and who they thought He was, Jesus Christ never once changed His opinion of you or the people He came to die for. Jesus never reconsidered what His purpose was, He, not one time withdrew His love from the world.

God wanted, and still does want you to know Him and His love which was demonstrated to us when He sent His Son to live among us.  God’s love is inseparable and vast. It is God’s desire that we are filled with the fullness of His love (Ephesians 3:14-19) and that is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Victory At The Cross

This was not the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry but was the transition from earthly ministry to the entry of the Holy of Holies and become our great High Priest.

This Triumphal entry was not an event in time but and event in eternity.  Jesus did not go into the Holy of Holies as an annual ritual and tradition, He went to His rightful and righteous place of residence at the right hand of the Father. 

When Jesus was on the cross and said “it is finished” and gave up His Spirit, the work on the cross was done.  The work at the cross was finished and there would be no power or principality that could ever stand in the way of God again.  The victory was won! 

The Work?  The work as Great High Priest had just begun.  Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, in the Holiest of Holies. Jesus Christ intercedes for us; He is our advocate with the Father. The Spirit intercedes for us in ways we will never know. The grace of God goes before us and is ever-present in our life now because of Jesus and His Atonement.

All of this was made possible through the cross.

There is no other place in the Kingdom more holy than that next to the strong arm of God.  The Spirit is so strong and inseparable between God the Father and God the Son that the Holy Spirit is its own person in God. 

Because of the Victory at Calvary we are able to have a loving relationship with God the Father, we have a savior and Great High Priest in Jesus the Christ, and we can be filled with the Holy Spirit, and be the recipient of eternal life in the Glory and presence of God.