Title: Entering Jerusalem/Matthew 21:1-5
Contents
I. At Bethphage on the Mount of Olives
(Matthew 21:1) As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples.
A. Entering Jerusalem
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem marks the beginning of Passion Sunday, and the importance of this can be seen from the fact that it is all recorded in the Gospels. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was the beginning of Christ's Passion. When the Lord's Messiahship was revealed to the world, Jewish religious and political leaders tried to crucify Jesus to death.
Jesus went up to Jerusalem several times during his public life. He ascended to the Passover when he was a child, a boy, a time of trial, during the Passover of the first year of his public life, at the time of Purim, at the time of the Passover of the second year, and during the Feast of Tabernacles. In the text, he went to keep the third year, that is, the last Passover, and this was Jesus offering the eternal sacrifice of the Passover lamb.
B. The triumphal entry
The Lord's entry into Jerusalem is very important in the history of redemption. Jesus entered the capital city of Jerusalem as the King Messiah. That's why it's specifically called the triumphal entry. The entry into Jerusalem, which clearly reveals the Messiahship, is of great significance as it foretells the resurrection victory that will be achieved a week later.
C. Bethphage on the Mount of Olives
The Mount of Olives is a garden about ten miles from north to south across the Kidron Creek on the east side of Jerusalem. While entering Jerusalem, Jesus stopped by Bethphage. This town is not mentioned in the Old Testament, but only here in the New Testament.
Bethphage is located on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives. The road Jesus entered into Jerusalem is a military road, located about 900 meters above sea level. The reason I chose the road of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives was to see the panoramic view of Jerusalem that I love at a glance. Although it was a city that had abandoned God and fell, Jesus loved the city of Jerusalem, where the temple of God is located. Jesus' love never changes.
II. donkey for the Lord
(Matthew 21:2) He said to them, "Go to the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it, untie it and bring it to me." (Matthew 21:3) you say lira
A. Sending two disciples
Jesus sent two of his disciples to Bethphage to fetch a donkey. The two disciples at this time are probably Peter and John. The purpose of having the disciples bring the donkey was to awaken Zechariah 9:9 and make the disciples who will accompany them to Jerusalem believe that He is the Messiah. It was to increase their faith by having them do this.
B. The omniscience of Jesus
The superhuman omniscience of Jesus Christ extends to the smallest detail. The owner of the donkey was the owner of the house where the Last Supper was eaten. Perhaps he was a hidden disciple of Christ.
The instructions given by Jesus to the two disciples showed that He had the power of intelligence to rule all things in the world, emphasizing the divinity of the Lord.
C. Donkey for the Lord
When the disciples came to untie the donkey, Jesus had them say, ‘The Lord will use you’ when anyone says anything. This is the only time the Lord has used the word “Lord” by himself.
In this way, the Lord's calling of Himself as Lord is consistent with the fact that He has already asserted his authority, and moreover, it clearly shows the characteristics of his last days of ministry. The fact that Jesus is “Lord” is a truth in any circumstance and suggests His sovereignty that applies to all creation in the world.
Therefore, it is indispensable to believe in Jesus as 'Lord' in the life of the saints.
One of the basic principles of faith is to believe and confess that the Lord is Lord.
Matthew and Luke emphasize that it is a donkey that no one has ridden yet. The purity of the donkey could carry Jesus and was worthy of Jesus' use. Only those who have pure faith like this can receive Jesus Christ. They are also worthy of the Lord's calling and election. If you confess Jesus and have no purity in your heart, you are revealing to yourself that your faith is inferior to a donkey.
III. Fulfillment of the Prophet's Prophecy
(Matthew 21:4) This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet, saying, (Matthew 21:5) Say to the daughter of Zion, “Your king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey, the foal of a yoke.”
A. The King of Peace
Zion was originally a hill south of Jerusalem, but after the temple was built there, it became the nickname of Jerusalem. The daughter of Zion refers to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, implying that Jesus' entry will take place before the crowds of Jerusalem. The inhabitants of Jerusalem have had the bitter experience of seeing foreign conquerors marching majestic on horseback on several occasions. Jesus declared the King of peace and humility. Just as Jesus who entered Jerusalem became the King of Peace, the saints must also become people of peace. Also, like Jesus, we must bear the mission of spreading the message of peace to the whole world.
B. Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy
As always, Matthew quotes a prophecy and tells the fulfillment of the prophecy. These words are quoted from the Old Testament, the introduction is quoted from Isaiah 62:11 and the rest from Zechariah 9:9. However, the phrase ‘He is righteous and brings salvation’ in Zechariah 9:9 is omitted here to emphasize the humility of the king.
The prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled through the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. God will surely fulfill what He prophesied through the prophet. Therefore, all of the promises written in the Bible will be fulfilled without falling to the ground. Believers need absolute faith and trust in the Word.
C. Fulfillment of New Testament Prophecy
Just as the prophecies through the prophets were fulfilled, the prophecies in the New Testament that Jesus will return as the King of kings as the Judge and Lord on the clouds will surely come true.
Just as all the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled, believers must live a life of faith that is complete and equipped with no lack of lack, believing that all the prophecies of the New Testament that the Lord has promised will come true.
Just as those who believed in the prophecies of the Old Testament received much from God through their sincere lives of faith, even today, those who faithfully believe in the prophecies of the New Testament are overflowing with the deep and mysterious grace of God.