Part 4 of 8: His Triumphal Entry

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Jesus in Jerusalem

Jesus Presented in the Temple in Jerusalem Read Luke 2:41

Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem when He was 12 years old

But His ‘triumphal entry’ into Jerusalem is truly a significant Jesus had been to Jerusalem numerous since young and during His ministry. But His ‘triumphal entry’ into Jerusalem is truly a significant event that the even the church today celebrates as Palm Sunday.

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry!

1. His Entrance Prophesied

His visit to Jerusalem was not an accident but rather within God’s salvation plan. Zechariah 9:9 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

This prophecy clearly specifies the location of the king’s appearance & transport.

His entrance will be celebrated with ‘shouts of triumph’ by people of Jerusalem. 

2. His Glorious Entrance

However this entrance into Jerusalem is unique in comparison to all His previous visits.

Because the Jews had earlier wanted to stone Him to kill Him. John 8:59 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. John 10:31 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.

Will I Go?

sure that their lives were in danger. Even His disciples were fearing the danger of returning to Jerusalem and they were very sure that their lives were in danger. John 11:8 8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?”

However Jesus continue to make the necessary preparations for this visit to Jerusalem.

The Sequence (Matthew 21:1-11;  Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44  & John 12:12-19): I. Jesus sends His disciples to go and bring a donkey and its colt. II. The disciples and people lay their cloaks & palm branches. III. Jesus sits on it and rides down Mount Olives into Jerusalem IV. They shouted in jubilation (Psalm 118:25-26) welcoming their ‘Messiah’ V. Jesus enters Jerusalem and visits the temple area.

However this type of procession symbolizes their welcome of a victorious king as seen in the example of King Jehu (Read 2 Kings 9:13).

The people who welcomed Him with singing and praise were hyped up because: 1. His resurrection of Lazarus 2. Expectation of messiah who will set them free from the Roman rule. 3. He has been vocal against the ruling Jews.

The Suffering Messiah

3. His Entrance for Us

Jesus goes into Jerusalem as planned by God despite the threat to His life as He was focused on fulfilling the will of the Father to die on the cross for us.

Matthew 16:21 21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 

Jesus was very well aware and clear with the final fate that awaited Him in Jerusalem as He had taught His disciples. But He was not thinking twice about the danger to avoiding the trip to Jerusalem.

He made the ‘triumphant’ journey knowing that the trip was for our salvation.

Conclusion His triumphant journey to Jerusalem was God’s plan and Jesus fulfilled this plan.

As we journey with the Lord let us go where the Lord takes us for His glory.

Discuss the Following Reflective Questions:   1. How do you understand Palm Sunday now after this bible study? 2. Would you go where the Lord desires you to go even if it means danger?

Part 4 of 8: His Triumphal Entry