Scriptural text: Matthew 21:1-11
Lesson Context:
The entire process leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion was set in motion when the Savior and His followers began their journey to Jerusalem. The time of the great Passover festival was at hand and Jews from every part of the Roman Empire travelled to the city for the week-long celebration to commemorate the exodus from Egypt. At last that time had come. Jesus and His disciples took the normal route from Galilee to Jerusalem.
The Preparation (Matthew 21:1-5).
Jesus knew the religious leaders were going to arrest Him and condemn Him and mock Him and scourge Him and deliver Him to the Romans for crucifixion. Yet He had the courage to not only enter Jerusalem, but to enter in as public a way as possible. This contrasts to His previous pattern of suppressing publicity.
Jesus would ride upon the younger of these animals, the colt. He told the disciples how they would find these animals, and instructed them to bring both animals. Here, Jesus worked deliberately to fulfill prophecy, especially of the prophecy of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks, which many feel Jesus fulfilled to the exact day on His triumphal entry.
Jesus came to Jerusalem in humility, yet with appropriate dignity. Instead of coming on a horse as a conquering general; He came on a colt, as was customary for royalty. He came to Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace.
The Procession (Matthew 21:6-11).
“And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?’ So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
“Laid their clothes on them…spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” All this was done to honor Jesus as a great, triumphal person into Jerusalem in the season of the Passover. (Carrying palm and other branches were emblematical of victory and success).
“Hosanna to the Son of David!” This was open Messianic adoration of Jesus. They look to Jesus for salvation (Hosanna means “save now!”and was addressed to kings, as in 2 Samuel 14:4 and 2 Kings 6:26). They openly give Jesus the titles appropriate to the Messiah (“Son of David…He who comes in the name of the Lord).
“And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved.” Jesus also showed that He wasn’t afraid of the chief priests and Pharisees. He knew they were plotting to kill Him, yet He came openly to the city as Messiah.
References: Enduring Word Commentary, 2021-2022 KJV, Standard Lesson Commentary
