Triumphant Entry or Palm Sunday

Both symbolic & fulfillment of prophecy

• He saw the city of Jerusalem and weeps
• Entry to Jerusalem
• Visited the temple
• Next day a fig tree and cursed

Jesus the King arrived because God never breaks a promise

Verse 4, 5 “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Jesus the King’s arrival reminds me that He came to bring Peace

Verse 5 “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ’See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Why a donkey?

A King that come into a city riding on a donkey, it was a symbol of peace.

Why a wild donkey?

To show the submission of an unbroken animal to the Master

But, the stubborn hearts of the Jews would not be broken. They wouldn’t submit to Him in their hearts as their King.

Jesus the King’s arrival reminds me that He deserves reverence

Verse 7-9 “They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"”

Why is this important to mention?

• Palm tree leaves are used to welcome kings and other VIPs
• In Old Testament times, to show their respect to a King, people would put their clothes down for the King to walk on them.
• 2 Kings 9:12-13 example King Jehu

The crowd’s royal treatment and Jesus’ reaction

Luke 19:41 “…and when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it…”

The People wanted Jesus to set up an Earthly Kingdom so they can be freed from the Roman Empire

But Jesus have other plans, to set up a spiritual kingdom in our heart

Jesus is coming into Jerusalem as the King

Jesus wasn’t the kind of King they were hoping for

They wanted a King to rid them of Roman rule. They wanted a physical King

They weren’t interested in a King who came to set up a kingdom in their hearts. They didn’t want a “Price of Peace” … they wanted a “Prince of War”

Jesus had another kingdom to set up first.

First, He must rule and reign in the hearts of those who would trust Him as their Saviour

When Jesus comes at the rapture, He will take His followers of this kingdom with Him, and then return to set up the Millennial Kingdom that God

There were all kinds of people in the crowd that day

The Disciples - Who were proclaiming Jesus as their Messiah

The Spectators – Silently watching … not saying a word … uncommitted

There were all kinds of people in the crowd that day

The Active Crowd – With Palm Leaves in their hands they joined the band-wagon … going along with the crowd. These would in just a few days be shouting “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

There were all kinds of people in the crowd that day

Some were watching … But they have their own AGENDA

The Challenge

Jesus wants to make a “Triumphant Entry” into your heart this morning.

When you stand before Him one day, He will either say, “”Depart from Me, I never knew you” … OR … “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of thy Lord.”