All four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the first four books of the New Testament, record Jesus’ coronation into Jerusalem. His entry into the city is the beginning of the passion week. We call it Palm Sunday, even though it actually took place on Monday. Jerusalem is where Jesus said he would have to die for our sins but would resurrect three days later.
Verses 28-35 As Jesus and his disciples were nearing Jerusalem, Jesus had two of his disciples (probably Peter and John because he has commissioned them for his errands before) go into the village, find a colt, and let anyone who asked know that this was for the Lord.
Kings used horses for war. The colts were an average person’s mode of transportation. Jesus chose a humble mode of transportation to ride in on, a donkey, a symbol of peace, even though He is king.
Jesus’ Omniscience
Whatever Jesus sets us out to do, he will make a way for it to happen. The disciples didn’t doubt or dispute Jesus. They obeyed and everything happened exactly as Jesus told them. This shows Jesus’ omniscience; he knows everything. The colt was there and someone asked about it (verse 33), just like Jesus said. This is even more proof of his deity.
Jesus is in complete control of every detail of His life and ministry. He’s on a divine timetable and doing things precisely when God wants them done, as God determines they are to be done. Jesus follows His Father’s will perfectly.
Jesus climbed on the donkey, a colt, and rode toward Jerusalem. One commentary pointed out that unridden donkeys wouldn’t accept a rider on this easily. But Jesus shows he is ruler over creation.
Jesus Moves Toward His Enemies
This is the only time we ever hear that Jesus rode in any sort of triumph and it was to suffer and die. Jesus bravely moves toward his enemies, knowing the suffering they will subject him to. He is unafraid. As if it was worth it to him to die on our behalf so that his resurrection would prove He holds the ultimate victory.
Matthew 21 and John 12 inform readers that these actions fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy:
“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.” Zechariah 9:9 NLT
Jesus came to fulfill scripture.
He is making good on all of God’s promises.
The disciples didn’t have a saddle, so they threw the clothes off their own backs over the donkey for Jesus to sit on. Jesus would publicly present himself as the Messiah, not as a military king. He came in humility and not in his full splendor and majesty. He didn’t come in wrath or vengeance for the blood of his enemies (us), but in mercy, he took his own blood to the cross for us.
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
Verses 36-40 There are thousands of people in town for the Passover. Notice there are no city officials or formalities as Jesus makes his way on the colt. The crowd spread their clothes on the road in joy and reverence for Jesus. Some commentators say it was well over 200,000 surrounding Jesus as he comes into the city. They had seen his miracles and mercy. Especially the raising of Lazarus, which is mentioned in John 12:17, 18.
Until now, Jesus had never allowed this kind of coronation around him because he knew it would escalate the religious leader’s anger and lead to his execution. But now is the time. Here is the city He will die in. This is the week it will all go down.
The people grabbed branches from palm trees (John 12:13). Palm branches symbolize salvation, and the strength, beauty, joy that flows from deliverance and salvation. This is what we celebrate the Sunday before Easter, called Palm Sunday.
The crowd shouts, Hosanna! In Hebrew this word means to save now. They are crying for a redeemer, a deliverer, and a savior.
Jesus is the King who comes in the name of the Lord, clothed in divine authority, commissioned from heaven to bring peace. Like these palm branches being laid down, if we say we respect and honor Jesus, we willingly lay everything we have under his feet. This is how we welcome Jesus into our lives.
The crowd praised God joyfully, shouting “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord,” quoting from Psalm 118.
“Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.” Psalms 118:26 NLT
Jesus allows this coronation to take place, knowing it will lead to his death. Friday is Passover, the day when people would slaughter lambs as a sacrifice for their sins. It’s the day they would put Jesus on the cross, the true and only Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
All Hail the King
These shouts of joy are also summed up in one word: Hosanna! The people openly acknowledged Jesus as a Messiah in this coronation, and he received their praise. The joyful hope of immediate victory over their enemies causes the crowd to praise Him. Jesus is the One promised and expected. He comes in the name of the Lord, as God’s ambassador to the world. Jesus is our Savior.
The crowd believed he would set up his kingdom in this world but what the people expected from Jesus and what they received were very different. They expect a conquering hero with this coronation, but He comes to pronounce judgment. They’re praising Him for what they want Him to be, but He came to do something very different from that.
I’d like to think that moment sounded like Israel Houghton’s “Hosanna (Be Lifted Higher)”
God puts a song in our hearts for Jesus. And our faith, our belief, and our praises honor Him.
The Hatred Behind the Hosannas
Verse 39 But this was too much for the Pharisees. The people’s praise outrages the Pharisees, especially because Jesus receives the coronation and honor like he is worthy of it. Like he’s a king. The leaders know they can’t control the crowd, so they demand Jesus rebuke his disciples for saying such a thing. The Pharisees call Jesus, “Teacher.” In effect, they are saying to Jesus, ‘you’re someone who knows the Old Testament and what the scripture says. And you also know you’re just a man. Don’t let these people call you the King who comes in the name of the Lord and worthy of glory in the highest. It’s blasphemy. So rebuke them!’
Verse 40 Jesus assured the Pharisees that if the crowd remained silent, the stones and earth would cry out. If the people don’t cry out, the rocks are gonna do it.
We see this happen at Calvary when Jesus hangs on the cross and no one says anything. The earth literally quakes, the rocks deeply disturbed by the silence. God‘s long-awaited Messiah had finally come, and he deserved all honor and glory.
Lift You High: https://youtu.be/e13_fqkVQDU
Prayer
Jesus, you are all-knowing (omniscient). You are in all places at once (omnipresent) and carry unlimited power (omnipotent). My heart lifts you high above the rest in my life. You alone, Jesus, are my Rock and Cornerstone. I trust you alone, Jesus. As a humble servant, you came to give me Life Everlasting. Let this Truth sink deep into the marrow of my bones and let every thought in me accept this so that I may live free from this overflow of thanksgiving. I won’t let the rocks cry out in my place, Jesus. No, I’m returning every breath you gave with my praise. Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! I use my praise as a weapon against the schemes of the devil. Every lie that tries to steal my attention and distract me from Truth must listen to my praises for my King. Everything in me blesses your holy name, Jesus. I love you. I trust you. I desire to give you my first, my best, and my most in all things. You are deserving of so much more than I can offer. But your grace covers my lack and accepts the faith that I have. Thank you, Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.