Triumphal Entry… vs. 1-11

• 1^st – Coming to Jerusalem… vs. 1
  • Passover…
    • Now when they drew near Jerusalem – and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives!
    • Every year the Jews were REQUIRED to come for the PASSOVER – Exodus 23:14-17
    • The city would receive almost two MILLION pilgrims [Josephus]
    • So as Jesus and His DISCIPLES arrived – they were NOT alone!
  • Mount of Olives…
    • The Mount of Olives is the highest point on the EAST side of Jerusalem [826 meters]
    • To this day it is best place to look out and see the TEMPLE mount…
    • It is the place where Jesus would ASCEND up into heaven – Acts 1:9
    • It will also one day be the place where Jesus will RETURN – Zechariah 14:4
  • Bethphage…
    • The Triumphal entry is one of KEY events in the life of Jesus – recorded in all FOUR gospels
    • John gives us the most information leading up to the event!
    • Jesus had just brought Lazarus [brother of Mary and Martha] back from the dead – John 11:44
    • News of this spread among the crowds gathered for the PASSOVER celebration…
    • Then SIX days before the PASSOVER – He returned to BETHPHAGE…
    • BETHPHAGE – House [בַּיִת] of the figs [פַּג] – near the village of Bethany…
    • Where Mary [Lazarus sister] poured spikenard [expensive perfume] on His feet…
    • Judas complained – he wanted the Oil to be sold and given to the POOR – John 12:5
    • Not because he cared for the poor – but because he was a THIEF [motive for betrayal]
• 2^nd – The Donkey… vs. 1-7
  • Seeing everything… vs. 1-2
    • Then Jesus sent two disciples saying to them: Go into the village opposite you.
    • Immediately you will find a donkey tied – and a colt with her. 
    • Jesus sent [ἀποστέλλω] TWO of the DISCIPLES to go and get a DONKEY…
    • It was a COLT [young donkey] no one had EVERY sat on – Luke 19:30
    • How did Jesus know the DONKEY was there – because He SEES everything!
    • Hebrews 4:13 – “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God!” [NLT]
  • Owning nothing… vs. 2-3
    • Loose them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you shall say: 
    • The Lord has need of them. Immediately he will send them!
    • They were to untie it and bring it [imperative] to Jesus…
    • And when anyone asked what they were doing [it was NOT their donkey] – Luke 19:33
    • All they had to do was say the LORD [κύριος] needed to borrow it!
    • Imagine if the PRESIDENT had to borrow a CAR on the day of his inauguration…
    • Just so that he could make it to the ceremony – it might raise some questions!
    • There are a lot of people who think following Jesus is the KEY to a better life…
    • But Jesus was NOT wealthy here on earth [no car – no home] – Matthew 8:20
    • The message of the Gospel is not about this life – it is about ETERNAL life!
  • Humble King… vs. 4-7
    • All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet saying:
    • Tell the daughter of Zion: Behold your King is coming to you.
    • Lowly and sitting on a donkey – a colt the foal of a donkey.
    • So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.
    • They brought the donkey and the colt – laid their clothes on them – and set Him on them!
    • ALL of this was done to FULFILL the words of the PROPHET – Zechariah 9:9
    • Who told the people of ZION [Jerusalem] – how their KING [מֶלֶךְ] would come…
    • He would come HUMBLY [עָנִי] – riding on a DONKEY…
    • The DISCIPLES obeyed – and did what Jesus said…
    • When they brought the DONKEY – they set their clothes on it for Jesus to sit on!
    • When a KING came riding on a donkey [unthreatening] – it was a sign He wanted PEACE!
    • Jesus did NOT coming to CONQUER the world – and establish His Kingdom…
    • Jesus came the FIRST time bringing PEACE between God and Man – CONQUERING sin…
    • But He will NOT be riding a donkey when He returns for the SECOND time – Revelation 19:11
    • He will come on a white HORSE with all the armies of heaven to make WAR…
    • He will set up His Kingdom here on Earth – the MILLENNIAL reign [1000 year]
• 3^rd – Choosing the Lamb… vs. 8-11
  • Palm Branches… vs. 8
    • A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road.
    • Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road!
    • The MULTITUDES came to meet Jesus as He rode down the Mount of Olives…
    • Some laid their CLOTHES on the road – others laid [imperfect] branches!
    • Antiochus Epiphanes [Seleucid] set up an idol to Zeus in the Holiest of All – Daniel 8:11
    • Judas Maccabees [hammer] began a revolt and overthrew the king [164 B.C.]
    • After the Jews cleansed the Temple [Hanukah] – they celebrated with Palm branches…
    • Carrying palm branches the people sang grateful praises – 2 Maccabees 10:7
    • The Jews wanted a MESSIAH who would overthrow ROME [like the Maccabees]
    • Because they were looking for the WRONG kind of king…
    • FOUR days later this same crowd would cry out CRUCIFY – Luke 23:21
  • Save us now… vs. 9
    • Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out saying:
    • Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! 
    • Hosanna in the highest!
    • The HUGE crowd all around Jesus [in from and in behind] – kept crying out [imperfect]
    • HOSANNA – a Hebrew words that means SAVE us [יָשַׁע] now [נָא]
    • It was from a PSALM of ascent the people would sing every year – Psalm 118:26
    • They recognized Jesus as the Son of David [Messiah] – II Samuel 7:11
    • Who came in the name of the LORD to save – Jesus name means God [יְהֹוָה] saves [יָשַׁע]
    • But he did NOT come to save them from Rome – God sent Him to be the sacrificial LAMB!
    • FOUR days before PASSOVER – every household chose their sacrificial LAMB – Exodus 12:3
    • On this same day [Palm Sunday] God choose His LAMB!
    • John 1:29 – “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
    • Just as DEATH passed over anyone covered by the blood of the LAMB – Exodus 12:13
    • Anyone who puts their faith in the SACRIFICE of Jesus – will be set free!
  • The Prophet… vs. 10-11
    • 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!
    • When Jesus arrived – the whole [πᾶς] city was SHAKEN [σείω]
    • When they asked WHO was Jesus – they were told He was the [ὁ] PROPHET from Nazareth…
    • But the people got it WRONG [He is God] – and as a result Jesus WEPT – Luke 19:41
    • Because they were supposed to KNOW – they DONKEY – the DAY!
    • Daniel told Israel the exact day the Messiah would come – Daniel 9:25-26
    • From the command to rebuild Jerusalem [March 14 – 445 B.C.] – Nehemiah 2:8
    • After 483 years [69×7] – or 173,880 days [April 6 – 32 A.D.] – Jesus rode into Jerusalem…
    • The Jews were all very RELIGIOUS – they all went to CHURCH every week…
    • But they did NOT read their Bible – the did NOT know the Word…
    • So they missed how [donkey] and when [April 6] the Messiah came!
    • So many people are RELIGIOUS – but they miss Jesus…
    • That is why it is so important for us to get into the Word – Romans 10:17
    • We want to learn all about our Lord – so we do NOT miss Jesus when He comes again!

• 2^nd – Cleansing the Temple… vs. 12-16
  • 1^st – Den of thieves… vs. 12-13
    • Buying and selling… vs. 12
      • Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple.
      • And overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves!
      • The FIRST thing Jesus did when He arrived in Jerusalem – was go into the TEMPLE…
      • He CHASED out anyone who was BUYING or SELLING sacrifices!
      • The Temple had become a moneymaking industry…
      • The priests would always find a flaw in a sacrifice – you had to buy theirs at TRIPLE rate…
      • All purchases had to be with a Sanctuary Shekel – exchange rate was EXTORTION…
      • So Jesus drove people from the temple – overturned their tables!
    • House of Prayer… vs. 13
      • He said to them: It is written -My house shall be called a house of prayer.
      • But you have made it a den of thieves!
      • This was the SECOND time Jesus cleaned house – the FRIST time was in – John 2:15
      • Because this was NOT a NEW problem – it had been around since the Old Testament…
      • Jesus quoted Jeremiah who had said the same thing – Jeremiah 7:11
      • The purpose of the Temple was a place for ALL nations to meet with God – Isaiah 56:7
      • But MEN took advantage of others – and used it as a way to make MONEY!
        
      • CHURCHES are to be a place where people come to MEET the Lord…
      • Instead in many people are taught about a God who only wants their CASH…
      • Giving people the idea that Jesus is just another SCAM – a way to make a MONEY…
      • God does not want or need our ANYTHING – He is the creator of Heaven and Earth…
      • His church should be a place of PRAYER – where men can come to KNOW God…
      • I fear if Jesus walked into many churches TODAY – He would OVERTURN a lot of tables!
  • 2^nd – Perfect praises… vs. 14-16
    • The unworthy… vs. 14
      • Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple and He healed them!
      • BLIND and LAME people were NOT allowed into the Temple – Leviticus 21:17-20
      • Because imperfection was not permitted in the presence of a PERFECT God…
      • But Jesus welcomed the BLIND and LAME – and HEALED [θεραπεύω] them…
      • Because Jesus came to bring IMPERFECT people to God!
    • Not happy… vs. 15-16
      • When the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did.
      • And the children crying out in the temple and saying: Hosanna to the Son of David.
      • They were indignant and said to Him: Do You hear what these are saying?
      • When the RELIGIOUS leaders saw the SHOCKING [θαυμάσιος] things Jesus did…
      • Chasing out those who BOUGHT and SOLD in the Temple [their business]
      • Letting in people who they considered to be UNWORTHY [blind and lame]
      • All the while hearing the CHILDREN cry out HOSANNA [save us now]
      • It made them INDIGNANT [ἀγανακτέω] – to be ANGRY – Matthew 20:24
      • So they questioned Jesus – if He was listening to what the KIDS were saying…
      • Luke tells us they went on to DEMAND that Jesus tell them to stop!
      • Luke 19:40 – “He answered and said to them: I tell you that if these should keep silent the stones would immediately cry out.”
      • One of the BEST souvenirs you can get in Israel – is a ROCK from Jerusalem [and they are free]
      • Stick it on a board and put a title – this could have been a SINGING stone!
    • Simple message… vs. 16
      • Jesus said to them: Yes. Have you never read.
      • Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?
      • Jesus answered by stating[indicative]: they would NEVER understand [ἀναγινώσκω]
      • Why PRAISE [αἶνος] is PERFECT when it comes from young children [νήπιος]
      • They would NEVER understand because they put their faith in their RELIGION!
      • The Jewish leaders put their TRUST in keeping all the RULES…
      • But what any CHILD can tell you – is that we are NOT good at keeping RULES…
      • Therefore we will NEVER be good enough to reach up to HEAVEN…
      • The GOOD news is God reached down to EARTH so He could save us!
      • Matthew 11:25 – “You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to babes!”
      • God WANTS people to go to HEAVEN – He LOVES the whole world – John 3:16
      • Therefore – the Gospel message is NOT complicated – in God made is EASY…
      • It is so SIMPLE men have tried to ADD to it to make it more COMPLICATED…
      • They add WORKS – man made requirements to make people EARN their salvation…
      • To be SAVED one must believe AND: tithe – be baptized [by them] – attend [their] church…
      • But they miss what little CHILDREN know – the BLIND can see – and ROCKS understand…
      • Just BELIEVE in Jesus [died on the cross] – confess Him as Lord – and we are saved!
      • Romans 10:13 – “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

• 3^rd – The Fig Tree… vs. 17-22
  • 1^st – Covering sin… vs. 17-19
    • No Fruit… vs. 17-19
      • Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany and He lodged there.
      • Now in the morning as He returned to the city He was hungry.
      • Seeing a fig tree by the road He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves!
      • Jesus had just PROVOKED the religious leaders – they were ready to KILL Him – Luke 19:47
      • Therefore Jesus left the city and spent the night in Bethany [3 kilometers away]
      • The next morning on His way back to the city – He got HUNGRY…
      • He saw a healthy looking [green leaves] FIG tree and hoped to find some FRUIT…
      • But it was the wrong season [καιρός] so there was NONE [οὐδείς] – Mark 11:13
    • Never again… vs. 19
      • [He] said to it: Let no fruit grow on you ever again. Immediately the fig tree withered away!
      • Jesus said to the TREE: no fruit will grow [subjunctive] on you ever again…
      • The moment He said it – the tree withered and died!
      • When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden – they hid from the LORD…
      • To try and COVER up what they had done – they put on FIG [תְּאֵנָה] leaves – Genesis 3:7
      • Jesus was looking for FRUIT in the people – but what He found instead was RELIGION…
      • Man trying to COVER up their sinfulness by looking good on the outside…
      • But anyone who look to RELIGION – will NEVER be able to bear GOOD fruit!
  • 2^nd – Do not doubt… vs. 20-22
    • Amazed… vs. 20
      • When the disciples saw it they marveled saying: How did the fig tree wither away so soon?
      • When the DISCIPLES saw the SHOCKING [θαυμάζω] thing Jesus had done…
      • Unlike the RELIGIOUS leaders – they were NOT angry…
      • Instead they wanted to UNDERSTAND – and asked Jesus HOW [πῶς] He did it!
    • Moving mountains… vs. 21
      • Jesus answered and said to them: Assuredly I say to you.
      • If you have faith and do not doubt you will not only do what was done to the fig tree.
      • But also if you say to this mountain: Be removed and be cast into the sea – it will be done!
      • AMEN [Ἀμὴν] – If [subjunctive] they had FAITH [πίστις] in in the right place [Jesus]
      • And did NOT doubt [διακρίνω] – to depend on [διά] their judgement [κρίνω]
      • They would NOT only be able to CURSE a FIG tree…
      • They could say to the MOUNTAIN be removed – and it would [indicative] obey!
      • The mountain they were on was called Mount MORIAH…
      • MORIAH [מוֹרִיָּה] – meaning the LORD [יָהּ] sees [רָאָה]!
      • When we put our FAITH in Jesus – and NOT in good works [religion]
      • We will KNOW that to try and COVER sin – will NEVER bring good fruit…
      • But we will also KNOW that Jesus can do what we NEVER could…
      • He can take our SINS that God SEES [מוֹרִיָּה] – and cast them into the SEA!
      • Micah 7:19 – “[He] will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
    • Ask anything… vs. 22
      • Whatever things you ask in prayer – believing – you will receive!
      • AND [καί] when we come to the REALIZATION that Jesus is the ONLY answer…
      • Then ALL [πᾶς] – ANYTHING [ὅσος] that we ask for in PRAYER by FAITH [πιστεύω]
      • We WILL receive [indicative] from the Lord!
        
      • Because if we are spending time with God – we will KNOW what God WANTS…
      • If we are TRUSTING in Jesus – we will ask for those things that God DESIRES…
      • Since the desire comes from God – we can be certain He will make it happen!

John 15:7 – “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you – you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified – that you bear much fruit.”