The Triumphal Entry Why It Is Triumphal

The Triumphal Entry

Why it is Triumphal.

By

Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.

OPENING: - Today we celebrate the day we call Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is the day of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. It’s called Palm Sunday because the people of Jerusalem greeted Jesus laying Palm branches and clothes in front of Him as He entered the city on a donkey fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah Zechariah9:9 that he prophesied some 450 - 500 years before. Palm Sunday marks the start of what is often called Passion Week, the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the beginning of the end of Jesus’ work on earth.

I remember growing up in church as a child and it would be Palm Sunday and we were all given Palm branches and were told to wave them in the air in celebration of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Then we were told the history of Jesus going into the Temple turning over the money changers tables and declaring that the House of the Lord is a House of Prayer and they made it a Den of Thieves. Then we are told about the Last Supper, the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, Jesus’ arrest, how Peter denied Him 3 times before the cock crowed, the scourging, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although all of that is true and is the Gospel it is very basic and is the Sunday School understanding of the Triumphal entry, passion week, the death, burial, and resurrection.

So often we settle for the Sunday school understanding of the Word of God, but there should come a point in time where we desire the sincere milk of the Word of God. Hebrews 5:13 – 14 says, “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”.

Today it is my desire to dive deep into the Triumphal Entry and feast upon the sincere meat of the Word of God and leaving the milk. I want to expound upon several aspects of the Triumphal Entry such as the Route Jesus traveled, the Colt/Donkey, the Reaction of the people, the Day Jesus entered Jerusalem, and the Saying. In so doing open up peoples understanding to why Jesus entry was so triumphal.

PRAYER: -

SCRIPTURE: - Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44 & John 12:12-19. All four gospels mention the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Understand the triumphal entry was preparation for Passover Week, His death, burial, and resurrection. However, everything Jesus did had and does has a purpose and meaning although sometimes the meaning or the behind-the-scenes understanding is not immediately known until will study the Word of God.

DEFINITION: - Triumphal is to carry out, to celebrate, to be victorious.

THE ROUTE: - Matthew 21 & Mark 11 both say, “And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives”.

As they approached Jerusalem, they came close to Bethphage, which means “house of unripe figs,” and Bethany, which means “a house of sorrow” and the Mount of Olives.

UNDERSTAND: - Know that whenever Jesus did or does something there is always a purpose and a meaning associated with it. The mentioning of Bethpage, Bethany and Mount of Olives is not just a random mentioning of the geography of the land. Just over 1000 years earlier in approximately 975 B.C. King David was rejected by Israel and driven into exile by his son Absalom. In 2 Samuel 15 Absalom plotted against his father along with David’s adviser Ahithophel and they rebelled against King David. Absalom won the hearts of the people and David had no choice but to flee for his life. David left Jerusalem and those that decided to follow him, but he left his 10 concubines to keep the house. They journeyed east from Jerusalem crossing the Kidron Valley then ascended the Mount of Olives to begin the exile across the Jordan River, the Bible says they were a little pass the top of Mount Olives which would put them in the vicinity of Bethpage and Bethany. When Ziba, a servant of Mephibosheth met David and gave him a couple of asses some food and wine. So, we have David the King that has been rejected by Israel travels from Jerusalem through the Kidron Valley up the Mount of Olives and crosses the Jordan River in exile. When Jesus comes to Jerusalem, He travels in reverse the route that David the anointed King of Israel traveled when he was rejected by the people. Jesus traveled cross the Jordan, near Bethpage and Bethany, up the Mount of Olives, through the Kidron Valley and into Jerusalem, so triumphantly Jesus is reversing what the people did over 1000 years earlier.