Matthew 21:4-5, 9
Throughout His entire earthly life, our Lord Jesus had been going to Jerusalem to participate in the feasts and festivals as prescribed in the Old Testament to fulfil all righteousness. But the last time He went up to Jerusalem was at the Passover, and He would die as the Passover Lamb for the sins of His people.
This final week (or passion-week which many people would call it) was so important that all four gospels had recorded it. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass (Matthew 21:4-5).
The daughter of Zion was a reference to the people of Jerusalem. Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem was a fulfilment of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. Unlike all the earthly kings who would ride on magnificent horses or a huge metal chariots with the armies as the entourage, Jesus rode on a young donkey. He was the total opposite, for He was a kind, righteous and humble King.
The people had heard His teachings and witnessed His miracles, and they were excited. They welcomed Him by spreading their garments and palm branches along the path. They were crying out, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest (v.9). The word hosanna means “save us now,” and the Son of David is the Messianic title of Christ for He was the great Son of David whose kingdom was everlasting. So far so good!
But the problem was that the people expected Jesus to be who they wanted Him to be. They expected their King to save and deliver them from the oppression of the Romans. Little did they realize that Jesus Christ was the promised King and Messiah who would deliver His people from their sins. Soon, the same people who cried out, Hosanna to the Son of David, would be screaming, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
Dear children, this is the same problem with many people today. They expect Jesus to be who they want Him to be; to help fulfil their dreams, bring them happiness, prosperity, success and good health. When they do not receive what they desire from Him, they would curse and blaspheme His name. They do not really believe in Him! What about you? If you believe in Jesus, then by faith, you were there as Jesus was riding on the young donkey and entering into Jerusalem triumphantly, and soon after that, He died on the cross shedding His precious blood for the remission of sins, and rose again from the dead on the third day!
Matthew 28:1-7
Matthew 21:4-5, 9
Matthew 5:10-12
Matthew 5:9
Matthew 5:8
Matthew 5:7
Matthew 5:6
Matthew 5:5
Matthew 5:4
Matthew 5:3