SS03-26-06
“HONOR CHRIST.” LUKE 19: 28-32, 35-40, 41-44.
PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO LUKE 19.
At the close of the O.T. the Jews returned and rebuilt Jerusalem. Zechariah prophesied during this period, and the book that bears his name offers consolation and hope. Zechariah prophesied hope for the city, proclaiming the arrival of God’s Anointed One. “Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph. Daughter of Jerusalem! See your King is coming to you: He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
The royal or triumphant entry into Jerusalem by Jesus Christ was an act that was highly symbolic. He did what many of the prophets did---supplemented His verbal message with a dramatic act. Jesus had been trying to teach His disciples that He was the Messiah, but not the kind of messiah many were seeking. He symbolized this message with His royal entry. He entered the city of Jerusalem at Passover when messianic hopes ran high. Jesus rode on a donkey to signify that He had come to bring peace with God and the He was coming as the humble one who would give his life to save people.
Jesus actions as He entered Jerusalem were surely not lost on those familiar with Zechariah. Some rejoiced in Jesus’ fulfillment of this prophecy, and others were upset with Jesus’ attempt to claim the messianic title. All, however, failed to see the type of king Jesus was going to be.
Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem during Passover time. At the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples to get a colt. If someone asked what they were doing, they were to say that the Lord had need of the animal. When they brought the colt to Jesus, the disciples put their garments on the animal and then set Jesus on it. As Jesus rode the animal they spread their clothes in the road.
As the procession came down from Mount of Olives, a large crowd began to praise God for the wonderful works Jesus had done. They blessed Him as the King who came in the name of the Lord and spoke of peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
Although the Pharisees asked Jesus to silence such praises, Jesus told them that if the people did not offer praise, the rocks would. When Jesus saw the city, He lamented its failure to embrace what secures peace. He predicted the siege of the city and its destruction.
This week’s study shows us how the disciples worshiped Christ through their words as Christ entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, but there were other ways they honored Him---and that we can honor Him. Obedience is the key. We are called to share His concerns. Consider what this wonderful event in the life of Christ tells us about how we show our dedication to Him.
PLEASE READ LUKE 19: 28-32.
The shadow of the cross lay across Jesus’ whole life. Beginning after Peter’s confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus began to teach the disciples in Luke 9: 22 that He “must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.”
He told them these things would take place in Jerusalem, and He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem. The longest section of Luke deals with the journey to Jerusalem. With Luke 19: 28-42 the journey to Jerusalem gave way to the events of Jesus’ final days in which He laid down His life for sinners.
Jesus knew of the religious leaders’ growing hostility. They had journeyed into the countryside to challenge Him, but now He was coming into Jerusalem where they had power and influence. John’s Gospel tells us in John 11: 47-53 that after the resurrection of Lazarus, the Sanhedrin decided that Jesus must die.
Luke 19:1-10 tells what happened as Jesus passed through Jericho for the last time. He took time to speak with Zacchaeus. Luke 19: 11 says He was near Jerusalem. Vs. 28 says He went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. Jesus was going uphill on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem, made famous by the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Greek word for went before carries the idea of “going in front.” The picture is of Jesus striding on ahead, setting the pace for His followers.
Jesus did not go immediately into Jerusalem. He came to two small towns only a few miles form the big city. Bethany was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It was on the east side of the mount of Olives, which was on the east side of Jerusalem.
The location of Bethpage (BETH-fay) is disputed, but it must have been nearby. This was their location as Jesus planned to enter Jerusalem in a special way. John 12: 1 gives us the time and manner of His entry into the city.
It was on a Sunday before His crucifixion and a week before His resurrection. It was what we call Palm Sunday. Now was the time to set things in motion.
Jesus gave a special task to two of His disciples. The Gospels do not tell us their names. Jesus told them to go to the village ahead of you. This was probably Bethphage. They were to look for a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat.
When they found it, they were to loose him, and bring him hither. The word Luke used for this animal could mean either the colt of a horse or of a donkey. Matt. 21:2 tells us that it was a donkey. The two disciples might have had questions about carrying out these instructions. Many of us would want to know: Won’t that be stealing? Jesus told them what to say in case someone challenged their right to take the donkey. They were told to say it was because the Lord had need of him.
Vs. 33 shows the animal had more than one owner and the owners did challenge the two disciples; but they allowed the disciples to take the donkey when they heard their reply.
This incident is a subject of discussion. How did Jesus know these things and why did the owners allow the disciples to take the animal?
Some Bible students explain vs. 30-34 as the result of previous planning by Jesus and the owners of the donkey. Herschel H. Hobbs wrote: “This was no impulsive act on Jesus’ part. For it shows deliberate preparation. He had arranged, probably on Saturday, for a man to have a donkey tied at some given time and place.”
A prearranged signal had been set by which the owner would know to whom he should surrender the animal. Other Bible students believe that although the text does not say so, Jesus used supernatural insight in this instance.
We certainly can’t dismiss the possibility that Jesus had divine direction in knowing how these events would transpire. Jesus was God and had certainly predicted other miraculous events.
If Jesus had previously arranged the use of the donkey, though, it heightens the messianic nature of the triumphal entry. Jesus was deliberately making and effort to fulfill Zechariah 9: 9, to make it clear that He was the Messiah. This would not take away in any way from Jesus’ supernatural ability, and there were certainly many messianic prophecies that Jesus could not humanly control.
Prearrangement also explains why the owners simply let two “strangers” take their donkey. If the owners were also followers of Jesus, they would gladly give something up when told, The Lord needs it. Perhaps by questioning two men walking off with their donkey, the owners verified that the right two men were taking the donkey to Jesus.
The young donkey was unbroken, for no one had ever used if for riding before. In the O.T. young animals that had never been yoked or worked were used for sacred duties. Now a young donkey would also perform a sacred duty by ushering the King into Jerusalem.
Whether by pre-arranged signal or supernatural insight, the two disciples and the donkey’s owners honored the Lord by obedience. The disciples did not understand why Jesus made such a request of them. Their mission was also risky because they might be condemned as thieves. The owners of the donkey (which may have been a couple) showed reverence for the Lord and obedience to Him by giving their donkey. Of course behind these examples of human obedience is the ultimate example of obedience of Jesus to His Father.
PLEASE READ LUKE 19: 35-40.
The two unnamed disciples completed the mission Jesus had given them, and they brought the donkey to Jesus. In an act of humility, the disciples then took off their robes for a makeshift saddle for Jesus to use and then helped Jesus to use and then helped Jesus get on it.
Jesus was then ready to enter the Holy city of God as its king. Jesus had never denied being a king or the Messiah, and only affirmed those who realized His role. What he never affirmed, however, was their understanding of what He would do as king. Instead, He told them----and increasingly more so as the time drew near---that He would suffer and die for them. The time had come now for His role as their King----along with His suffering and death----to be fulfilled.
Often a visual demonstration says more to people than words. Jesus had repeatedly told His disciples of both His kingdom and his suffering. But now He used the visual to drive home what He had been telling them. What was the visual aid? Entering Jerusalem on a donkey.
We place the donkey pretty low on the list on “cool” animals. In biblical times, however, the donkey was considered quite noble.
We may think of Jesus riding on a donkey simply as a picture of humility, which Zedchariah 9: 9 affirms, but it was also common for kings to ride such a noble animal. In wartime, a king rode a horse, an animal of conquest. Upon capturing a city, a king would ride in as a military hero on a horse. But when a king came in peace, he entered the city on a donkey.
By entering the city on a donkey, then, Jesus was communicating to His followers that He was not entering the city as a military hero who would drive out the Romans and reestablish the glory of Israel. He came on a donkey, as a king of peace. Peace with God was made possible through the mission of Jesus which climaxed in His death and resurrection.
In the large crowd that witnessed His entrance into Jerusalem were some of Jesus’ enemies. They were not joining in the acts and words of honor. When they had the opportunity, some of the Pharisees asked Jesus to rebuke His followers. Their sour attitude on such a day of joy showed how they felt about Jesus.
The central person in these verses of course is Jesus. Notice all the things He said and did. He had walked to near the city, but He entered it riding on a donkey. This was a deliberate act designed to present Himself as the Messiah, but not the kind of messiah they were looking for. Most of the people wanted the Son of David to be another David, a ruling, a ruling monarch and military leader.
Several accounts of Jesus’ entry quote Zechariah 9: 9 as being fulfilled in what Jesus said and did. Although Luke did not quote this passage as Matthews 21: 4-5 did. Luke showed how clearly Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. He is the king who came meekly and humbly riding on a donkey.
Jesus had gone out of His way to avoid the title Messiah, but now He knew the time had come to confront everyone with who He was and what He had come to do. Although His followers didn’t understand at the time, Jesus knew that after the resurrection, they would recall the manner of His entry into the city. He was and is the true King of kings and Lord of lords. He accepted the honor shown Him by many when He entered Jerusalem.
He refused the Pharisees’ request by telling them that if the people failed to praise Him the stones would immediately cry out. This was a powerful way of emphasizing that He had to be praised.
But this coronation event didn’t end, as we would think it should. Jesus was not enthroned but crucified. Yes, the rejection came as predicted, but, praise God, the resurrection also followed as predicted. Jesus’ place at the right hand of God is established. One day He will return, and that till be a day of glory and honor.
The King is coming, and some day we will see Him fact to face. Until that time, our hearts should continue to renew our wonder of the King who died for His people.
Was the significance of the donkey lost on the Pharisees? Probably not. They surely saw the significance of what the disciples did; As he was going along, they were spreading their robes on the road.
In 2 Kings 9, we read of the anointing of Jehu as king by one of the sons of the prophets. When the men with Jehu asked what the prophet said and Jehu told them that he had just been anointed as king over Israel, “Each man quickly took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. They blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed “Jehu is king!”
Now the disciples of Jesus were doing the same act of homage. The other Gospel writers noted that branches were also used to pave the way before Jesus. The disciples didn’t just spread their robes once; the verb tense indicates that the disciples continually spread their garments as they traveled down the road.
There is a point near the path down the Mount of Olives where one first gets a glimpse of the southeastern corner of Jerusalem. The view becomes momentarily obscured before it comes into view a second time. It is quiet possible that the first sighting of the great city stirred the disciples to a greater enthusiasm. In their minds, the time was right, and now here was Jesus in sight of Jerusalem, and it moved them to praise.
Remembering all the miracles they had seen only fueled their enthusiasm. Many of these disciples had been following Jesus since His ministry began three years earlier. Many of them may have been recent believers, having been brought to faith by some of the recent miracles, most notably the raising of Lazarus just days earlier.
There is not reason to doubt the sincerity of the disciples in their praise of Jesus. There were many other people there that day as Jesus entered Jerusalem. The cynical Pharisees were certainly there, but there were many Jews who had traveled to Jerusalem to participate in the Passover. The news that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead was all the talk in the crowded city.
Surely word spread that this miracle worker was about to enter the holy city and they came to see Jesus firsthand. It is possible that some of these observers got caught up on the moment and joined the actions and shouting of the disciples, but Luke made it clear that it was Jesus’ followers---the whole crowd of the disciples---who spread their robes and shouted praise. They may have misunderstood Jesus’ role as Messiah, but their sincerity to worship Him as Messiah was genuine.
The disciples shouted from one of the Hallel psalms----Psalm 118----which were sung during the time of Passover to greet pilgrims as they entered the city of Jerusalem. This Hallel psalm is one of the most quoted psalms in the N.T. Psalm 118:26 reads, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” but the disciples changed the wording from “he” to the King.
The disciples offered praise to their Messiah, because they saw Him as their king who would bring peace to Israel delivering them from Roman bondage and restoring Israel to a great nation. There is peace in heaven where God’s plan is fully carried out. When the Messiah entered Jerusalem, that same peace and glory would come with Him to reside in Jerusalem.
Mark and Matthew added “Hosanna in the highest heaven,” but Luke added, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven.” This should not be viewed as a discrepancy, for surely many things were shouted in praise to Jesus.
While the disciples may have all used the familiar Hallel psalm used in greeting, they surely added their own spontaneous expressions. Perhaps Luke chose to emphasize this particular phrase that was shouted because of its strong connection to Jesus’ birth.
When Jesus first came to earth, the angels appeared and proclaimed in Luke 2: 14, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors.” The praise that began at His birth resumed as He entered Jerusalem to fulfill what He had been born to do.
None of this set well with the Pharisees! There were certain political ramifications from Jesus’ entering the city as a popularly acclaimed king. They too wanted to be free from Roman rule, but they knew that any unsuccessful attempt to set up a new king would be disastrous for the nation and for their own personal positions of power.
Add to their own hatred for Jesus, Jesus had successfully stood up to them, challenging both their teaching and authority. He had publicly humiliated them on more than one occasion, and He had gained something they themselves had not been able to---the appreciation and popular support of the people. Now here He was, accepting praise that was meant for God alone.
In John 11: 57 the Pharisees already had placed a price on Jesus’ head. They had been looking for just the right time to bring Jesus down. With His courageous act of boldly entering Jerusalem to the shouts of the people proclaiming Him as King, Jesus was forcing their timetable to coincide with the Father’s timetable of redemption. But what could they do at this moment? In their frustration, they blamed each other for what was happening. John 12: 19 says “Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look---the world has gone after Him.”
The Pharisees dared not rebuke the disciples. Jesus was so popular and the crowd of disciples were so enthusiastic in their praise that the Pharisees knew it would be in vain for them to try and stop them. So they told Jesus to do it! “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”
Jesus could not--- and would not---stop the disciples, for they were proclaiming truth. Their understanding of how that truth was going to be applied was flawed, but they were proclaiming truth nonetheless.
The rightness of what they were proclaiming could not stopped. He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out!” Jesus may have been quoting a proverbial saying but it is certainly reminiscent of Habakkuk 2: 11: “For the stones will cry out from the wall, and the rafters will answer them from the woodwork.” Jesus said that either these disciples would proclaim this truth or the rocks would take their place and make the same proclamation. Either way, the kingship of Jesus would be announced.
PLEASE READ LUKE 19: 41-44.
This particular passage is found only in Luke. Five themes echo through the passage.
Jerusalem had a history of rejecting those whom God sent. It was about to reject even Him, the Son of God.
Jesus had come to offer people divine salvation. This was why He came to Jerusalem.
The city would be destroyed within a few years.
Jerusalem’s judgment would be because it rejected the peace and salvation offered by Jesus.
Jesus was deeply concerned about the city and its people.
We noted earlier that here is a point along the road where the city of Jerusalem first comes into view and this was likely to have caused the crowd of disciples to begin their joyful shouts. That view only lasts for a moment and then is obscured by the ridge of the Mount of Olives.
Further down the path the road raises again, making a rough ascent. At the top of that climb is a ledge of smooth rock, and it is on that ledge where the whole city comes into view. It could very well have been that it was when the caravan reached this pinnacle that Jesus saw the city and wept over it.
This is the only other time where we are told that Jesus wept. (The first time was at the tomb of Lazarus in John 11:35.) Jesus wept because of what would happen to the city because of the people’s stubbornness and rebellion against God. Old Testament prophets also wept over the sinfulness of the people.
Peace was at hand and available to them. If you knew this day what would bring peace. The very city whose name includes the word peace (shalom) was going to reject the peace of the Messiah.
The prince of peace was entering the city, but now it is hidden from your eyes. This could be the tense of divine passive; in other words, God had hidden it from your eyes.
On one occasion Jesus said, “It is not possible for a prophet to perish outside Jerusalem.” In His list of woes pronounced against the Pharisees, Jesus accused them of building tombs for the prophets and claiming that it they had lived in the time of prophets they would not have opposed the prophets.
But they were descendants of those who killed the prophets, and they were about to kill not a prophet but the divine Son of God. Jesus was fully aware of what lay ahead for Him. He had been predicting His death in Jerusalem, yet He headed for the city. His entry was that of a Messiah who was also the “Suffering Servant” of Isaiah 53.
On several occasions Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. In A.D. 70 the Romans did just that. During Jesus’ day there was a group called Zealots who were committed to driving out the Romans by any means possible, but the Romans saw them as terrorists. They continued their attacks and won some early victories a generation after Jesus’ time. But the conflict reached its climax when the Romans broke through the last of the Jews’ defenses and took their own vengeance.
Jesus predicted many of the features of the destruction of Jerusalem. He spoke of the Romans’ strategies which were typical of warfare in ancient times.
Jerusalem was almost impregnable, having deep ravines around it and formidable walls. The Romans adopted the usual ways of taking such a walled city. Jesus described these in Luke 19: 43-44. The Romans would build a trench about the city. A besieging army needed to get inside the walls. One of several tactics was to build a ramp of dirt leading to the top of the wall.
Carl and I saw the remains of such ramps erected by the Romans when they attempted to get to the Jews who had secluded themselves on top of Masada near the Dead Sea. When they reached the top they found all the Jews had been killed or taken their own lives.
After encircling Jerusalem in A.D. 70 the Romans would let no one in or out of the city. The goal was to starve the people until when the Roman army entered the city they not only killed the fighting men but civilians as well. Jesus predicted, “They will crush you and your children within you to the ground.”
Josephus, the Jewish historian, descried the terrible things that took place when the Romans took Jerusalem. He was a friend of the Romans and witnessed the events. He wrote, “While the sanctuary was burning…neither pity for age nor respect for rank was shown. On the contrary, children and old people, laity and priests alike were massacred.”
The destruction was so complete that the invaders would not leave…one stone upon another. Jesus made this prophecy again later in the week in Luke 21: 6 as He foretold the destruction of the Temple.
There were scores of believers and followers, but overall the Jews failed to recognize the time of their visitation; the time when all of Israel’s hopes were met, but instead it became a visitation of judgment.
Jesus offered the rescue, but it was spiritual rescue rather than political rescue. Had the Jews abandoned their political dreams and sought spiritual rescue, the time of your visitation would have been a time of redemption and salvation rather than judgment. They failed to recognize that God had come to them in Christ and offered them peace with God. Today that same offer is being made to America but the majority of people are too busy to accept the offer of God’s peace. Jesus weeps today over America. In Luke 13: 34 He said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee: how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings; and ye would not.”
Beginning next Sunday and throughout the month of April we will visit some of the key events in the life of Christ: the institution of the Lord’s Supper, His crucifixion, His resurrection, His ascension and the giving of the Holy Spirit.
As we study these events, look at them through the eyes of opportunity. We have the opportunity to tell others about these important events and what these events can mean in their lives. We can grow in our effectiveness as witnesses for Christ by studying these events, understanding them and sharing them with others.
April 2, 2006 we will look at the significance of the Lord’s Supper.
A.V. Daugherty <altav@swbell.net>