The meaning of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem

Date: 9/2/22

Sermon Title: The meaning of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem

Context: Matthew 21:1-11

(Matt 21:1) As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

(Matt 21:2) saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.

(Matt 21:3) If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

(Matt 21:4) This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

(Matt 21:5) "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.' "

(Matt 21:6) The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.

(Matt 21:7) They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.

(Matt 21:8) A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

(Matt 21:9) The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"

(Matt 21:10) When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

(Matt 21:11) The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Preaching Note  

1. Jesus speaks to the two disciples. “Go to the other village. If you go and look, you will find a donkey tied up with a young by its side. Loosen it and bring it to me” (verse 2). A baby donkey is a symbol of peace. It is an animal that contrasts with the horses that rode in military marches. The fact that Jesus rode on a colt rather than on a horse suggests that he is not a political or military King, but a humble and meek King of Peace, Savior, Messiah, and Lord.

    Jesus speaks to his disciples. “If anyone says anything to you, say, ‘The Lord is going to use the baby donkey.’ And it will be given to you right away” (verse 3). Jesus reveals his identity. Jesus is 'Lord'.

Q.1 What do you confess about Jesus?

2. The disciples do what Jesus said (verse 6). He took the mother donkey and the colt, put the cloak on them, and Jesus got on it (verse 7). People cut down live, leafy branches in the field and spread them on the road (v. 8). Taking off the robe and spreading it on the floor is an act performed at the coronation ceremony of the king. It is written in 2 Kings. “Then they got up in haste, and each took off their clothes, laid them on the rock at Jehu’s feet, and blew the trumpets and cried, ‘Jehu has become king’” (2 Kings 9:13). The disciples believed in Jesus as a savior, the Messiah, and a political King rather than the Lord.

   A great crowd spread their cloaks on the road. Others cut ‘twigs’ and spread them on the road (verse 8). People believed in Jesus as a political king. The prophet Isaiah declared that the “palm tree” symbolized the noble. “Therefore, nothing will be done in Egypt, and all will become useless, whether chief or last, noble as a palm tree, or lowly as a reed” (Isaiah 19:15). People viewed Jesus as the King for power, glory, the overthrow of Roman authority, and the establishment of a national and political state, and they showed the highest respect and welcome to Jesus.

Q.2 How would you like to welcome Jesus when you meet him?

3. The meaning of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is to reveal the fact that the “blind man” confessed that Jesus is the “Lord” and the Messiah when he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. In a situation where the disciples and people think of Jesus as the political king, Jesus is revealing through the donkey performance that He is the Savior, Messiah, and Lord. In the meantime, Jesus hid as the Messiah. It is called the “Messiah Mystery”. But now he is revealing himself to be the Messiah by entering Jerusalem.

    The crowd shouts. “Hosanna, to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna on the highest!” (verse 9). ‘Hosanna’ means that save us now. It is written in the Psalms as ‘Yahweh Hosanna’. God, this is an appeal to save us. “Lord, I beg you. Please save us. Lord, I beg you. Make us prosper” (Psalm 118:25).

   When Jesus enters Jerusalem, the whole city is excited and asks. “Who is this?” (verse 10). This is a question about the identity of Jesus. People say that Jesus is the prophet Jesus, born of Nazareth in Galilee (verse 11). People do not call Jesus Lord. People think of Jesus as a prophet. The crowds and disciples misunderstood Jesus' identity. “It is correct that the crowds described Jesus as a messianic expression, but they misunderstood that. The crowds correctly cite the messianic texts, but it is wrong to model the Messiah as a hero who conquers militarily... because even the disciples have not yet fully realized it.

    Jesus is not the political king that people think of. He is not a military king. He is not the one who rules people with power. Jesus is the humble savior, the Messiah, the true Lord of the world. So, Jesus doesn't rule people, he loves and saves them. He preached and taught the kingdom of God, cast out evil spirits, and healed the sick.

Q.3 Do you have any wishes for Jesus?