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Scripture reading – Matthew 21
The setting of Matthew 21 is what is traditionally referred to as Palm Sunday (although many believe the day was most likely Monday).
Matthew 21
Zechariah’s Prophecy Fulfilled (Matthew 21:1-7)
Jesus and His disciples were coming near Jerusalem. As they passed through Bethphage, a village near the Mount of Olives, the LORD directed two disciples to go to a nearby village (Matthew 21:1). There, He foretold, they would find the colt of a donkey on which Jesus rode as He approached Jerusalem.
Thus, was fulfilled a 500-year-old prophecy which said, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:3-7). Zechariah also described the character of the King as “just” (meaning He would be a righteous man), “having salvation” (a Savior offering salvation), and “lowly” (a man of humble means). Nevertheless, He was Jerusalem’s King, of the royal line of David, and with a rightful claim to the throne.
Christ’s Triumphant Entry (Matthew 21:8-11)
The news of Jesus’ approach spread through the city of Jerusalem, and “a very great multitude” (perhaps tens of thousands) gathered and greeted Him as He neared the city (Matthew 21:7-8). They spread their garments on the ground before Him as a sign of submission, and the branches of Palm trees symbolized peace (Matthew 21:8).
The scene was like a king’s coronation, and the people “cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9). Because it was about the time of the Passover, people from all over the known world had gathered in Jerusalem. Some who did not know Jesus asked, “Who is this? 11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:10-11).
A Rising Tension Between Jesus and His Adversaries (Matthew 21:12-16)
Briefly, you will notice in Matthew 21 the rising tension between Jesus and His enemies (the priests and Pharisees). I believe it was on the next day, after His triumphant entry, when Christ entered the Temple, drove out the “moneychangers,” and said, “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13).
Rebuking the hypocritical Pharisees, the LORD taught the people three parables: The Parable of Two Sons (21:28-32), the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (21:33-41), and the Builders’ Rejection of the Cornerstone (21:42-44). The Pharisees and Israel, as a people, were prophetically represented in the parables as rejecting Christ (which they would fulfill when Jesus would be led away to be crucified).
Our study in the Gospels will continue through the week ahead as Christ’s appointment with the Cross grows near.
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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