March 18, 2024

Matthew 21:1-11  (HCSB)
The Triumphal Entry
21 When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, 2 telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you should say that the Lord needs them, and immediately he will send them.” 4 This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: 5 Tell Daughter Zion, “Look, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their robes on them, and He sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their robes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 Then the crowds who went ahead of Him and those who followed kept shouting: Hosanna to the Son of David! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One! Hosanna in the highest heaven! 10 When He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds kept saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee!”

Trey Manor
Jesus enters Jerusalem in a humble, intentional, prophecy fulfilling manner knowing full well it will cost Him His life. As He entered the city gates in the most open and public way, He had one week to live. So He rode a colt (baby donkey) to make it undeniable who He was proclaiming Himself to be - the Messiah. Additionally, riding a donkey made His intentions irrefutable; He was there for peace, not conquest. The Jewish people saw, understood Jesus’ message, and responded in turn with shouts of “Hosanna!” (Save now!).
They acknowledged Him as the Messiah coming to deliver them, and Jesus not only accepted but encouraged their proclamations. Jesus was not afraid of the way the masses would view and receive him nor Pharisees’ plots against him. Jesus knew the prophecies, His Father’s will, and His purpose in redeeming creation. Who is Jesus to us today? How does that impact how we engage our area of Influence?