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THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF CHRIST (I)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26
Matthew 21:1-9

Psalm 118:21-29

 

“…Hosanna… Blessed is he that

cometh in the name of the Lord…”

 

THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF CHRIST (I)
 
We now enter into the final week of Jesus’ life on earth. It begins with His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Sunday, and ends with His triumphal demise outside Jerusalem on Friday. Jesus was about to fulfil the first evangelistic prediction of Scripture as recorded in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
 
Jesus now presented Himself openly and officially as Israel’s promised Messiah. In lowliness, the King of Israel rode into His city on a young male donkey (on which no one rode before) in fulfilment of the royal messianic prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Many went out to greet Him paving His way with their garments and palm branches, and shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he [the King of Israel] that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” The Hebrew word “Hosanna” means “Save now” or “Please save” (cf .2 Sam 14:4; Ps 118:25). All this happened on Sunday. That is why this event is commemorated in the church today as Palm Sunday, the first day of His week of suffering (cf. John 12:1).
 
The Pharisees became very disturbed by all the open and loud cries of the people calling Jesus “King.” They were probably afraid that the Romans would interpret all this as a sign of revolt. As Jewish leaders, their necks were on the line. If Jesus were arrested, they risked being arrested too. So they quickly told Jesus to rebuke His disciples. Jesus answered them, “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” No one can stop the proclamation of the truth that Jesus saves. “Hosanna” reminds us of Matthew 1:21, “…thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The triumphal message of Palm Sunday is “Jesus, Hosanna,” “O Saviour, save now”!
 
THOUGHT: “Christ openly declares that he commences his reign by advancing to death.” (Calvin)

PRAYER: O Saviour, save now!

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