Today we remember the triumphant entrance of Jesus, on a colt, in Jerusalem. As this story begins, Jesus calls his disciples and tells them to fetch a colt. This is similar to His birth, when Mary needed a donkey to get to Bethlehem. These two accounts are very similar indeed. They were both magnificent, for they ushered in the King of the world. The King of the Jews was born to 1“save his people from their sins” and now their King was to come triumphantly into Jerusalem. His glory would shine forth, for all the people to see. And so it happened, the disciples got the colt 4“and they cast their garments upon” it. With honor, they then 4“set Jesus thereon”. As Jesus went forth, 4“they spread their clothes in the way.” Then, 4“at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen.” There were many followers of Jesus and each of them were blown away by His life and miracles. He was surely the King, that would save them all. Upon seeing Jesus ride into the city, they said, 4“blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” If you remember the birth of Jesus, the angels also declared, 2“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” It was then that the angels praised the Name of Jesus. Now, near the end of His life, His people also rejoiced and praised God.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, imagine people all around Him giving praise. It was like a parade and Jesus was the main event. Their King had come, and to Him, they gave glory and honor. However, there were 4“some of the Pharisees” that did not agree with what was happening. They even went so far as to tell Jesus to rebuke his disciples for worshiping Him. Jesus’s response was, 4“I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” What was happening and its response could not be stopped. All the creation declares the glory of their Creator. His glory will shine forth and those that love Him, will continue to give Jesus praise. Jesus then began to draw nearer to the city, and among the singing and rejoicing, from the people, Jesus wept. 4“And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” 3Because they could not see that His kingdom was not physical to this earth, many of those same people rejected Jesus at the end. If they just knew that His kingdom was within them, they would have come to know His peace. It was sad to see many people follow Him and then reject Him, just days apart. I pray that we do not make the same mistake. Come unto Jesus and follow Him until the end. All praise and glory to the Lord, my God and King.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, all praise and glory to Your holy Name. I honor You and lift You up high. Hosanna to the highest. May my songs of praise be lifted up in the heavens above. You are the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Oh how grateful I am to know You, my King. To be Your follower is a great blessing and honor in my life. You are holy and deserve all praise and worship. It is my desire to worship You all the days of my life. Thank You for saving me from my sins. Thank You for Your mercy. It Your grace that I know of Your peace, and it is different from this world. Your peace has no bounds. Your love is eternal. Where else could I go but to You, for peace and comfort. I cannot get enough of Your love. It is what sustains me in this life. I am stronger with You by my side. Tough times may come, but Your peace gives me the comfort I need. I know that my faith in You can do great things. You are my hope and my strength. I trust in You Lord. I will follow You until the end. I praise You. I worship the Name of Jesus. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
2Luke 2:1-20 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
3Luke 17:20-25 (KJV)
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
4Luke 19:28-44 (KJV)
28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
