It was a festive welcome to Jesus as he entered Jerusalem, but it was supposed to be private. Jesus directed two disciples to secure a donkey and its colt, not to prepare for a festive welcome, but to fulfill bible prophecy. Nothing was indicated that the event was planned by Jesus to be attended by multitudes and celebrated with fanfare. Watch how Matthew records it:
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” [Matthew 21]
CHRISTIAN AUDIO BIBLE STUDY FOR AMAZING BREAKTHROUGHS!
It's clear from above that the event was for bible prophecy alone, not for festivities. But then the crowds learned about it, and because of their marvel for the miracles Jesus did, they took it upon themselves to welcome him by spreading their cloaks on the road and waving branches.
Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. [Mark 11.8]
It was a people's initiative. Jesus did not prepare a program, invite people to come, give perks and gifts for those who'd attend, or do any gimmick to gather people and create merriment or euphoria. The bible says Jesus simply wanted to enter Jerusalem precisely as the Scripture described it. It was "to fulfill" prophecy.
"This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet."
But the crowds were excited on hearing that Jesus was coming to town. Probably, the fact that they just came from a festival made them a spirited, avid audience for Jesus. Without being told or invited, they went to meet Jesus, threw their cloaks on the road and cut branches to use for a welcome gesture. All on their own volition. The simple entry to Jerusalem that should've been quiet and regular turned into a street feast.
The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!” [John 12]
And what made them shout like that? Did Jesus or any of the disciples give them a cue or signal to start shouting? Nope. But the fulfillment of prophecy moved them to do that through the Holy Spirit.
Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. [John 12.16]
They realized that everything was worked out together supernaturally for the fulfillment of Scripture. Nothing was by accident or chance. It was not the people's initiative, after all, but they were simply moved by the Holy Spirit to celebrate and shout on their own, without being told or instructed. It was God's plan to make it simple and unscripted (no pre-planning or programs or anything like that), but HE also allowed people (actually a "crowd of disciples") to get excited because of the wonderful things they had been seeing from Jesus.
...the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: [Luke 19.37]
Jesus in Public
This was among few instances where Jesus allowed himself to appear in public in the city in front of multitudes of people. Remember, the prophecy about him was that "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street," [Isaiah 42.2]. But the triumphal entry was a bible prophecy that had to be fulfilled to the letter, and it said that Jesus would ride on a donkey and its colt and be welcomed with shouts of praise.
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. [John 12.16]
Jesus riding on a donkey and its colt, both tied and and then untied, with the colt never had been ridden on by any man nd its first assignment was to serve Jesus, have lots of possible prophetic significance. Expert's guesses are as good as mine, but I believe the donkey and colt are animals of lowliness and simplicity--quiet ones, as well--and once the young donkey was released, its first assignment, together with the mother donkey, was to serve the Messiah. Jesus chose them to serve him.
Anyway, since it was a "crowd of disciples" that welcomed Jesus according to Luke [19], and since they were already there in the mood to celebrate Jesus, they ought to do what disciples are expected to do--give shouts of praise. It's a given. Even if they were not close-in disciples, disciples are expected to give shouts of praise for Jesus, especially when the event is in fulfillment of prophecy--because prophecy has to do with the Holy Spirit.
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” [Luke 19]
But to be sure, Jesus didn't do this to gain popularity, attract people to his membership, showoff his ministry achievements and what he has and does "for God," and all the carnal things church today does claiming they are done for the Lord.
In fact in the end, as it seemed customary of him, he told them vitriolic words to make it clear that their festivity and celebrations didn't mean God approved of them. He was in fact angry. Jesus seemed to do this when the crowds loved him to make sure they do not do so with a carnal motive that the Father didn't approve of. In this way, he did not preach in public "to be seen by men."
SURRENDERING TO JESUS
‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4]
No comments:
Post a Comment