Dy 93

Luke 19:28–40 (NIV)

²⁸ After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. ²⁹ As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ³⁰ “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” ³² Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. ³³ As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” ³⁴ They replied, “The Lord needs it.” ³⁵ They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

³⁶ As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. ³⁷ When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: ³⁸ “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” ³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” ⁴⁰ “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What is the point of the colt? What type of message is Jesus sending by how He comes into Jerusalem?

Why do the people respond the way they do? Why do the religious leaders respond the way they do?

What does Jesus mean about the stones crying out in verse 40?

What does this passage say about how you showed treat Jesus?

Notes

Jesus now is ready to enter Jerusalem. It is hard for us to understand here is the King of heaven who should be coming to take his place on his earthly throne (the Holy of Holies). Instead he is within a week Killed by the very people He sought to save.

But Jesus has set up a Kingdom not of this world. A lasting kingdom. Still it cannot be a moment of triumph for Jesus. Even though His disciples and followers throw a welcome for a King, the reality is they will leave Him in His darkest moments. Also as we see in the next section Jesus cries not for Himself but for the people who refuse to see what is offered to them and the consequences they face.

As the last parable states there are people who do not want Him as King. But they cannot stop what God has designed. Jesus is King whether they recognize it or not!

From 9:51 Jesus has been on this journey to Jerusalem. It is the spot of destiny. Not just for Jesus but for all people of all time!

The colt donkey fulfills Zech 9:9. There is no doubt that Jesus by asking for the donkey is claiming his Kingship. It is what the Kings of Israel rode for their coronation. (1Kings 1:32-34) This action plus the cries of Jesus' followers set up a confrontation that has been brewing throughout Luke. From the words of Simeon in 2:34-35 to now Jesus mission and purpose has been on a collision course with the established religion. They reject Jesus and thus reject God.

vs 30-34- Why would one allow the donkey to be taken? Hospitality would be a important reason, the distance is not far, plus the talk of Jesus has certainly already entered the village which was a short distance from Jerusalem. But even in these factors there is also a understanding that Jesus has supernatural powers. He knows where the donkey is and he knows the conversation that will take place. The use of "Lord" clearly identifies Jesus' claim of being the Christ.

35-38 The spreading ones cloaks on the ground was an action done for a King. The calling of Ps 118:26 by the followers shows they also believe Jesus is coming to be King. But we must remember why Jesus tells his parable in Chap 19:11. The people area expecting something completely different than what Jesus is going to do. They want it now. Jesus has told it is happening but will not be completed yet. The hint of the mistaken view is shown in why the people honor Jesus as King. It is not for the salvation He brings but rather the miracles Jesus has done. To them Jesus is going to do to the Romans what Moses did to the Egyptians.

vs 39-40 - the Pharisees reject to the commotion of Jesus entrance for at least two reasons. First clearly they do not see Jesus as king. Second, what is happening is dangerous. The Romans would not tolerate such actions. They would view them as a threat that had to be dealt with. The Peace and Glory Statement reflect back to 2:14 . Peace this time reflects what God has brought but is yet to be fulfilled on earth.

Jesus replies that what the followers do is justified and ordained by God! Nothing can stop what God intends! If people will not recognize Him then surely creation would! The sense in Jesus' answer is that what God desires to accomplish will happen whether you want it to or not (see 19:14)