Pinewood Easter: The Triumphal Entry

Story: An entrance worthy of celebration (first day on the job, first time landing in a new city, coming back from vacation, or having a baby)

The Point: There are many reasons to celebrate grand entrances, but this entry into Jerusalem was unlike any other. This was the Triumphal Entry of Jesus!

Passage: Matthew 21:1-11 CSB

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 with her foal. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: 5 Tell Daughter Zion, “See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt,

the foal of a donkey.” 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and its foal; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their clothes 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 shouted:

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is he who comes in the name

of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!

10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Background:

This event took place at the beginning of what’s known as the Passover Festival. It was a week-long celebration to remember the great Exodus from Egypt. Jews from all over the Roman world came to celebrate this special occasion. Today we celebrate this day as The Triumphal Entry or Palm Sunday, which occurs the Sunday before Easter Sunday.

Let’s unpack some of the details surrounding this historic event and see how it can apply to our lives today.

Title: The Crown Misunderstood

Main Points: Luke 19:28-44

1. A Prophecy Fulfilled

   1. When he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives,

      1. Bethphage is just a couple miles outside the city of Jerusalem.

      2. Jerusalem is also referred to in Scripture as “Mount Zion”. (Hashtag my baby) The name Jerusalem means “City of Peace”.

         2. he sent two of the disciples and said, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it.

      3. This was to fulfill a prophecy by the prophet Zechariah. “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, 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.” - Zechariah 9:9 CSB

      4. Most of us wouldn’t associate a donkey with anything spectacular, but donkeys were associated with royalty. (1 Kings 1:33). When Jesus rode in on a donkey He affirmed both His messianic royalty and His earthly humanity.
      5. Notice that it was a young donkey “on which no one has ever sat.” This was an unbroke donkey. Listen, I’ve broke a few horses in my day and trust me when I tell you it is not a pleasant experience. But Jesus demonstrates his power and authority over all creation by riding an unbroken donkey.

      6. Funny: some of you are sitting there thinking… “I’ve got a dog that likes to chew on things… you think I could maybe pray about that?” haha. Yes, you can pray about all things. :)

         3. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 So those who were sent left and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the young donkey, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the donkey?” (legitimate question right?... Excuse me?) 34 “The Lord needs it,” they said. 35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their clothes on the donkey, they helped Jesus get on it.

      7. I love that they just obeyed. “Go get a couple donkeys…” and they left!

      8. At a glance reading of the text I’ve heard people say “So yeah, I guess they went to steal a donkey.” These disciples were sent on a gangsta mission. There are many scenarios that could have led to this moment. It’s possible that the donkeys were prearranged from an earlier visit to this village, it’s also possible that it was customary for political leaders or rabbis to borrow a donkey for a grand entrance in the city. Regardless, they were sent on a mission for the donkeys and they succeeded. :)

      9. Visual: This was not the picture they had imagined. They were expecting a conquering king, riding on a steed with an army ready for battle, but instead they see Jesus, humble clothing, no sword, riding on a donkey.

         1. They wanted to be liberated from their circumstances, but Jesus came to liberate them from their sins.
         2. A Mission Established
            1. 36 As he was going along, they were spreading their clothes on the road. (robes and palm branches were customary for welcoming a king) 37 Now he came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen:

      10. 38 Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!

      11. “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” - Matthew’s Gospel
      12. The crowd recognized Him as King, but they misunderstood where his Kingship would lead him. This is the crown misunderstood.

      13. They demonstrated their misunderstanding in both their words and their actions.

          1. They shouted “Hosanna” which means “Save Us.” They were quoting from Psalm 118:25-26. They were expecting a savior that would save them from the Romans. The Pharisees understood the cry to reveal Jesus as the Messiah and rightful King of Israel.
          2. They shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Referencing Jesus as an earthly King like King David that was a conquering King.
          3. They laid palm branches and robes on the ground. This is what you did when a king rode into town.
          4. The Jews, the Galilean pilgrims, the disciples, and the Pharisees all misunderstood what was happening with Jesus’ Triumphal Entry.
          5. Even though he was misunderstood, the mission continued and in this moment it was established.
             2. 39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.”

      14. Drop the mic. Jesus is worthy of all praise.

      15. This moment was unavoidable. It both fulfilled the prophecy and set in motion the inevitable execution of Jesus. Jesus is saying “Regardless of your efforts or opinions, my work will be accomplished. My timing is now.”

      16. A Destruction Revealed

          1. 41 As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, 42 saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come on you when your enemies will build a barricade around you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you and your children among you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in your midst, because you did not recognize the time when God visited you.”

      17. No matter where Jesus looked, he found cause for weeping.

      18. If he looked back he saw how the nation had wasted its opportunities and been ignorant of their “time of visitation”
      19. If he looked within he saw spiritual ignorance and blindness in their hearts. They should have known who He was.
      20. If He looked around he saw religious activity that accomplished very little. The temple had become a den of thieves and the religious leaders were out to kill him.
      21. If he looked ahead he saw the terrible judgement that was coming to the nation, the city, and the temple just 40 years later. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11)

Closing:

Walking Points:

1. Don’t miss His visitation and invitation
2. Recognize and receive Him today