Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV)
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.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 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 heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Lent, Holy Week, The Passion
This is what Easter is all about.
Jesus on the cross vs. Jesus on Palm Sunday.
Matthew 21 is the beginning of the end of Jesus’ life here on this earth. We see Jesus going into Jerusalem and He’s well aware that He will die there. He’s readying himself for it.
In our scripture verses 1-3 Jesus is giving specific instructions as He’s preparing for His entry into Jerusalem. He’s coming from Bethphage which is at the Mount of Olives. Now Jesus explains to His disciples how to go about retrieving two donkeys. He tells them if anyone asks what they’re doing, to simply tell them the Lord needs them. I can’t even imagine what the disciples were thinking. They must have thought, “You want us to do what?”
Now in verses 4 and 5, Matthew harkens us back to Zechariah 9:9 which speaks about the Messiah. Matthew wants us to understand that Jesus was more than just a prophet. He is King, the Messiah, our Lord and Savior. By Jesus entering Jerusalem in this fashion, He is fulfilling the prophecy.
In verses 6-11, the disciples have followed Jesus’ instructions and brought Him the donkeys. They then put their clothes across the donkey’s back and Jesus sits on them. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem there are other people along the way and they too are laying down their clothes and palm branches on the road in celebration of Jesus as the Messiah and King. They know and understand who He is. He’s special. However, they still don’t know exactly who or all that He is. Or all the ramifications of His entry. Not yet.
We should note that the week Jesus comes into Jerusalem is Passover week. There are many Jewish people and people from the Galilee region attending. And these are the people shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” This one statement tells us that these people from Galilee believe He is the Messiah. There are, however, those in the crowd who know very little about Jesus.
It’s amazing how the scripture lays out for us the exact way Jesus went into Jerusalem on a donkey as the Prince of Peace. Not only that but Jesus came to lay down His life and then to rise from the dead.
On Palm Sunday He’s celebrated – cloaks and branches were laid down on the road for Him to pass – some thought He might be the Messiah. Others knew it.
Then, a few days later He’s on the cross suffering an agonizing death.
Victory turns bad – all His friends have run away. Where are the adoring crowds?
He’s alone on the cross – but He utters the words, “Father forgive them…”
Photo by Christoph Schmid on Unsplash
How do we forgive?
Simon Peter says to be forgiven you must confess your sins.
God forgives our sins but that’s not a license to go out and just sin.
Looking at forgiveness:
- The problem of sin is a reality in our lives. It’s not just an act or event – it’s a condition of ourselves – we chose to follow ourselves instead of God.
- Sin is also a separation from God because we’re the ones who have moved – God never moves.
- Do we see sin in others but not in ourselves?
- 1 John Chapter 1 speaks to The Incarnation of the Word of Life and Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness.
The Book of Romans says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Do you remember the 7 deadly sins? Believe it or not, we all fall into them.
- Lust
- Gluttony
- Greed
- Sloth
- Wrath
- Envy
- Pride
Sin is the same as being shackled. It’s like slavery.
This is why our emphasis must be on God’s forgiveness of our sins.
On the cross Jesus, the one without sin, acts in solidarity with us and takes on all our sins. He came to reconcile sinners to God and not to condemn them. The temple curtain ripped and tore in two at the moment of Jesus’ death. This signified the end of the Old Covenant. It opened a path to God made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice. We now would have direct access to God. Jesus took on all our sins. We were at that point forgiven. It ripped to show how God never wants to separate himself from us.
How does your forgiveness work? If you forgive it doesn’t mean you accept what someone did. You can forgive but not forget. Do you want to get better or do you want to stay ill with the burden of not forgiving? Forgiveness is so hard. I know this first hand. Sometimes you must ask God’s help in just beginning the process of forgiving. It’s so important that we understand that we are forgiven because we are each a child of God.
The takeaway: we say the Apostle’s Creed, and we say the Lord’s Prayer as an understanding of God’s love, grace, patience, and forgiveness. Do you understand that Jesus died on the cross for you? In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
We all sin. But God is a God of Grace. What do you do with a gift like that? What will it change about the way you live your life?
Jesus died for our sins. He rose from the dead on the third day and sits at the right hand of God the Father.
Each Easter we celebrate the love of Jesus Christ on the cross. How will you celebrate?
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
And that’s what I learned in Church……see ya next time!
