Jesus Rides into Jerusalem on a Donkey

Topic: Triumphant Entry
Passage: Luke 19:28–40

November 22, 2020

Commentary

Christ’s entry into Jerusalem in today’s passage (vv. 28-44) is a fulfillment of the prophecies found in Zechariah 9:9 and Psalm 118:25-26. By this time Jesus was extremely well known. When he sent two of His disciples to find a colt all they had to say was “The Lord has need of him” and the owners gladly turned the animal over to them (vv. 28-35). On Palm Sunday, the crowd was behind Him all the way: They were singing “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Kings! Hosanna in the highest” (vv. 36-38). But five days later, the same people who were praising him up and down are now saying, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” How could these people praise the Lord so joyfully on Palm Sunday and then turn around and demand His death 5 days later? Maybe it was because a lot of the people cheering for Jesus on Palm Sunday simply got caught up in the excitement of the event. They weren’t ready to commit their lives to Jesus.

The Pharisees thought the crowd’s words were sacrilegious and blasphemous. They asked Jesus to keep His people quiet (v. 39). But Jesus said that if the people were quiet, the stones would immediately cry out (v. 40). The account of our Lord lamenting over Jerusalem (vv. 41-44) is recorded only in Luke . Every year Jews would come to Jerusalem and buy animals to offer as a sacrifice. It was reasonable to buy from these Jews so the sacrifice would be “without blemish.” However, they were taking advantage of this situation and charged a high price. Also, foreign currency was being used as an accepted exchange, which cost them extra.

Application

It is so easy for my attitude to change from one day to the next as it did in Jesus’ day. Lord, help me to be the same-yesterday, today, and in the days to come, when I think about who Jesus is.

Luke 19:28– 40 (NET)

28 After Jesus had said this, he continued on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 Now when he approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 telling them, “Go to the village ahead of you. When you enter it, you will find a colt tied there that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 So those who were sent ahead found it exactly as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt, and had Jesus get on it. 36 As he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the very stones will cry out!”