THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM

SERIES: EVENTS LEADING TO THE CRUCIFIXION

TEXT: LUKE 19:28-44, DANIEL 9:25-26

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem took place on a Sunday 6th April, 33 A. D, five days before crucifixion. This particular day had been prophesied by Prophet Daniel about 500 years before (Daniel 9:25-27). From the time the command to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls was given by King Artaxerxes of Persia, Jesus our Lord entered Jerusalem as the Messiah, the anointed one after 69 weeks of years, 483 years. During the ministry of the Lord there were several occasions in which people attempted to promote Him as King but He carefully avoided it, saying, “my time has not yet come”. When this time came, He send two of His disciples to bring a colt that He may ride on it as He enters Jerusalem, presenting Himself as King on that day to fulfil the prophecy in Zachariah 9:9, “your King comes, having salvation, riding on a donkey”. Things to note from the triumphal entry:-

HE SENDS FOR A DONKEY, RIDES ON IT

Luke 19:29-30. When He drew near to Bethpage, He sent for a donkey. His foretelling came to be.
They found the donkey as He’d told them.
They found it tied.
No one had ever ridded on it.
As they untied the owner asked them the question Jesus had told them.
They found the donkey as He’d told them.
No one had ridded on it before.

ONLY A KING WOULD BE RECEIVED THIS WAY.

Waving palm branches was a sign of victory. The crowd voluntarily waved palm branches.
He entered Jerusalem through the golden gate, the eastern gate. This is the gate through which He will enter as He comes again. In Jewish tradition, the Messiah enters Jerusalem through this gate (Ezekiel 44:1-3).

HE WEEPS OVER JERUSALEM (Luke 19:41-44)

Jerusalem, the holy city was built on Abraham’s Mount, Zion. Its foundations rested upon the Salem of Melchizedek and Jebus of the Jebusites. It was made the capital of the jews by king David. It had heard the voice and seen the face of Son of God. One day it will be capital city of the world.
Our Lord Jesus saw the time Jerusalem would see suffering and dispersion they would face in a few years (70 A . D).
Because the Jews hardened their hearts they missed to see the Messiah, God in the flesh. When people separate themselves from God’s word, His truth, they will miss the most crucial thing in life that was meant to turn their life f or their destiny.
Because the Jews did not know the time of their visitation many were murdered and the rest were dispersed all over the world for about 2,000 years. Had they realized the time of their visitation and seized the moment they would have avoided their genocide at 70 A. D. and avoided the dispersion they have gone through for about 2000 years.
Time and chance happen to all (Ecclesiastes 9:11). This was the opportunity, chance for Israel to be great on the earth but they did not know.

CONCLUSION

The smallest moment is the turning point for destiny. Israel missed an opportunity.
Be attentive to the Holy Ghost, seize the moment of opportunity when it comes.
Are you ready to be used by the Lord? The donkey that Jesus used stepped on people’s clothes. You gain when Jesus uses you.