THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY (A historical event with profound significance)
The story of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem is recorded in all four gospels (Matthew 21:1– 11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44 and John 12:12–19) It is called “triumphal” because the multitudes happily welcomed Jesus as their king. It is also called “Palm Sunday” because they welcomed Jesus by waving palm branches. This event is so significant that it was predicted centuries before it happened by the prophet Zechariah: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The exact time of this event was also predicted by Daniel centuries before it came to pass (Daniel 9:24-27). Just as the birth of Jesus divided all of history into B.C. and A.D. the death of Jesus also atoned for all sins ever committed before and after! Here is a brief summary of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem:
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As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem they came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives.
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Then Jesus sent two of his disciples into the village ahead of them. There they would find a donkey with her colt and bring these animals to Jesus.
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If anyone questioned them they were merely to reply “that the Lord needs them.”
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Both Mark and Luke state that this colt had never been ridden
(Mark 11:2; Luke 19:30). •
A large crowd spread their cloaks on the road while others cut palm branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
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The crowd shouted: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10) •
A few days later these same people would be shouting: “Crucify Him . . . Let his blood be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 27:22-24)
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Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said: “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” But Jesus replied “I tell you . . . if these should keep quiet the stones would cry out”.
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“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (Luke 19:41-44)
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The question is, why did King Jesus enter into Jerusalem projecting the image that He was weak and vulnerable?
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The answer involves the fact that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem to die for the sins of all mankind!
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The fact that Jesus was weak and vulnerable was not an accident or a mistake. Isaiah predicted centuries before that Jesus would be “led like a lamb to the slaughter.” (Isaiah 53:7)
THE SYMBOLISM OF A LITTLE COLT
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When the king of Assyria wanted to destroy Jerusalem, he used thousands of horses as a show of force. In fact, he had so many horses that he offered 2,000 horses to Hezekiah, the king of Judah, with the inference that he didn’t even have enough soldiers to ride on them (2 Kings 18:23). He would never have appeared riding on a tiny colt that had never been ridden! •
Horses are symbols of strength and power and are mentioned more than 150 times in the Bible. •
Job pictured horses striking terror, pawing fiercely, and charging in to the fray (Job 39:19-25).
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Jeremiah warned of enemy horses “snorting”, “neighing”, and coming to destroy and devour the land (Jeremiah 8:16).
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Drowning Pharaoh’s horses symbolized his defeat (Exodus 14:23-28).
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Sisera went into battle with 900 horse drawn chariots made of iron (Judges 4:13-15).
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Solomon had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses (1 Kings 10:26).
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Ahab died in a chariot in his war with Ramoth Gilead (1 Kings 22:34-37).
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Jehu rode swiftly in a war chariot to kill Joram and Ahaziah (2 Kings 9:14-29).
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When Adonijah challenged Solomon’s right to be king in Jerusalem, Zadok and Nathan countered his treason by putting Solomon on King David’s mule as a show of strength (1 Kings 1:38).
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RIDING ON A LITTLE COLT THAT HAD NEVER BEEN RIDDEN IS NOT A SYMBOL OF STRENGTH, IT IS A PROFOUND SYMBOL OF SUBMISSION!
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Paul reminds us, however, that “the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:25)
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David said it like this: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalms 20:7)
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It is important for us to trust God, even when we do not understand Him!
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Job said it best: “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him!” (Job 13:15)
GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN
Before the creation of the world God planned the death of Jesus and determined that we would be redeemed by his blood. Note: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Peter 1:18-21)
The suffering and death of Jesus was not a defeat for it was “By his death that He destroyed him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil.” (Hebrews 2:14)
Isaiah said it like this: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)
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It is significant beyond words that God planned to redeem mankind with the “precious blood of Christ” before flesh and blood had even been created!
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Remember! From the very beginning God taught sinful man to make blood sacrifices and emphasized that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) •
At the same time, however, God also made it clear that “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin.” (Hebrews 10:4)
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Mankind can only be saved by the blood of Jesus!
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Shedding the blood of millions of animals was to prepare for the “one sacrifice” Jesus would make at Calvary!
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The first blood sacrifice was made by God Himself when He made garments of skin to cover Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21).
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God looked upon Abel with favor when he offered to God fat portions from the firstlings or his flock (Genesis 4:4). Since this offering was made by “faith” (Hebrews 11:4), we assume God commanded him to make this blood sacrifice for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
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Blood is so significant to God that when Abel was killed by Cain his blood cried out to the Lord from the ground (Genesis 4:10).
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By faith hundreds of altars were erected and stained with blood by the patriarchs. By faith millions of animals were sacrificed by the Levitical priests. All of this, however, was designed by God to focus on the one sacrifice made by Jesus when he came into Jerusalem riding on a little donkey. “Because by one sacrificed He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14)
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Remember! “Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:24-26)
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As we have said, the amazing power of Christ’s blood stretched out in two directions. First, it reached backward to Adam and Eve so that Jesus died as a ransom for all the sins committed under the first covenant (Hebrews 9:15). Second, the power of the blood of Jesus reached forward to the end of the world! For after making this “one sacrifice” for all sins, Jesus sat down on the right hand of God waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool (Hebrews 10:12-13).
THE GATES OF HADES
Note that Jesus did not tell His disciples about His impending death until the third year of His public ministry. Up to this point they believed Jesus was going to be an earthly king like David. Understanding the spiritual nature of His kingdom would not be easy. Therefore, before telling them about His death He first impressed upon them His true identity! “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Matthew 16:13-21)
- Only after clearly establishing His identity did Jesus tell them about His death in Jerusalem!
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Jesus, as the Son of the Living God, is the foundation upon which His church will be built (1 Corinthians 3:11).
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They were not to worry, however, for the Gates of Hades would not overcome Him!
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The Scriptures are clear that Jesus went to Hades when He died (Acts 2:27).
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Yet, as Jesus promised, the “Gates of Hades” did not prevail!
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“Hades” and “hell” are different. All those who die go to Hades, but only the unsaved go to hell.
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W.E. Vine in his word studies indicates that our word “hades” comes from “a” and “eido” which means “unseen”, or “hado” which means “all receiving.” Both possibilities are true! Everyone who dies continues to exist, but no longer can be seen. Similarly, Hades is the “all receiving” destination for everyone who dies.
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The Hebrew word for “hades” is “sheol” which is sometimes translated as the grave. Not everyone goes to heaven, but everyone goes to their grave. “All share a common destiny— the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good, so with the sinful; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them. This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.” (Ecclesiastes 9:2-3)
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The Bible word for “hell” is “geenna.” This word does not refer to a grave, but to a place of torment where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:43-48).
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The word “gates” refers to strength. Just as a chain is no stronger than it’s weakest link, a city is no stronger than its gates.
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YES! JESUS PROMISED THAT HE WAS GOING TO JERUSALEM TO DIE, BUT HE ALSO PROMISED THAT THE STRENGTH OF DEATH WOULD NOT OVERCOME HIM. •
JUST AS JESUS PREDICTED, AFTER THREE DAYS HE WAS RESURRECTED FROM DEATH, NEVER TO DIE AGAIN!
THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION
When Jesus told His disciples that He had to go to Jerusalem and suffer and die, “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:22-24)
When God commands His children to do something that seems contrary to common sense, He sometimes gives signs to validate His commandments. Remember:
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God gave miraculous signs to Moses (Exodus 4:1-17).
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God gave miraculous signs to Gideon (Judges 6:36-40).
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God gave a miraculous sign to Jeroboam (1 Kings 13:3)
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God gave a miraculous sign to Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:8-11).
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John recorded signs performed by Jesus so that people might believe (John 20:30-31). •
The primary sign, however, upon which the Kingdom of Christ would stand or fall, however, was His resurrection. Jesus said: “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:39-40)
So - “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.” (Matthew 17:1-3)
Jesus only took Peter, James, and John with him because they were going to be pillars in His church (Galatians 2:9).
On the mountain Luke explains that: “As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:29-31)
It was important for the disciples to talk with Moses and Elijah about the death of Jesus so they could be sure that this was in harmony with the Law and the Prophets!
This experience on the sacred mountain had a profound affect on Peter for it convinced him that what Jesus said was true! “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:16-19)
Matthew and Mark both say that Jesus was “transformed” in their presence (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2). The word “transformed” comes from the Greek word “metamorlphoo” from which we get out word “metamorphosis.” This is the word we use to describe a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. This is the dramatic change observed by Peter, James, and John.
It is also the word used to describe the dramatic change that happens to sinners when they are born again. Here are the only two other times this word is found in the Bible. Thus the word is found 4 times in the Bible. Two times it refers to the transformation or Jesus, and two times it refers to our transformation:
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“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
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“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
When we first observe new converts they appear like a light shining in a dark place. Then the day dawns and the day star arises in our own hearts. The word of the prophets is made more sure when the reality of the new birth dawns upon us.
Peter was present with Jesus from the very first of His ministry to His ascension into heaven three years later. Jesus did many miraculous signs during those three years, he promisee Peter, however, however, that he would to greater works than these because He was returning to His Father: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)
Please remember that the miracles Jesus performed were of a temporary nature. Jesus healed the sick, but they still all died! Jesus fed the multitudes but they still got hungry again. Jesus even raised the dead but they too ultimately died.
When Peter led people to Christ, however, their transformation was for all eternity! The miracle of conversion is not temporary! The miracle of conversion lasts into eternity for in heaven there will be no tears, sorrow, sickness, suffering, or death!
JESUS LEFT US AN EXAMPLE
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (I Peter 2:21-25)
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Jesus is God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16).
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In Jesus dwells all the fulness of the Godhead in a body (Colossians 2:9).
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Jesus emptied Himself of Deity and became a servant and gave us an example so that we might follow in His steps (Philippians 2:6-7).
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Jesus was tempted in all points like we are but never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).
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As God Jesus would never die, so He became a man so that He might taste of death like we do (Hebrews 2:9).
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For mankind, death is the key to abundant life. Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies it produces many seeds. (John 12:24)
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As Peter said: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.” (I Peter 2:24)
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Paul said it like this: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
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The death to our old life and our resurrection to a new life is beautifully symbolized by baptism: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the
body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:1-14)
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God promised Adam and Eve that in the day they ate the forbidden fruit they would surely die! (Genesis 2:17) They did! On the very day they sinned they were separated from God. Paul warned that a woman who lives for pleasure is dead while she lives (1 Timothy 5:6).
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By contrast, those who arise from the watery grave of baptism will never die! That is, they will never have to be separated from God!
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Jesus made this clear to Martha, the sister of Lazarus. “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) •
HOW BEAUTIFUL! When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior we will never have to be separated from Him again. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death He will be with us every step of the way! (Psalms 23:4)
CROSSING JORDAN IN TRIUMPH
In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Paul seems to use the journey of the Hebrews from Egypt to the Promised Land as an allegory of our journey to heaven. Slavery in Egypt is like our slavery to sin! Going though the Red Sea was like our baptism. What happened to them in the desert is an example to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. In this illustration the Jordan River represents death. It is what we go through in order to get to our Promised Land. It is significant to note that the Ark of the Covenant, representing the presence of God, went before the Hebrews and caused the waters of the river to dry up until the whole nation had crossed over (Joshua 3:14-17). Truly God is with us even when we pass through the valley of the shadow of death.
Here is a song, composed by Thomas Ramsey & Charles E Durham. It reminds us that when we cross the Jordan and make our triumphal entry into heaven, Jesus will be with us and we won’t have to be alone!
Verse 1
When I come to the river at ending of day, When the last winds of sorrow have blown; There'll be somebody waiting to show me the way,
I won't have to cross Jordan alone.
Verse 2: Often times I'm forsaken, and weary and sad,
When it seems that my friends have all gone; There is one tho't that cheers me and makes my heart glad,
I won't have to cross Jordan alone.
Verse 3: Tho' the billows of sorrow and trouble may sweep,
Christ the Saviour will care for His own; Till the end of the journey, my soul He will keep,
I won't have to cross Jordan alone.
Chorus: I won't have to cross Jordan alone,
Jesus died for my sins to atone;
When the darkness I see,
He'll be waiting for me, I won't have to cross Jordan alone.