1. The Plan “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Matthew 16:21
A. God’s redemptive plan that requires Jesus’ death on the cross.
2. The Prophecy “Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” John 12:14:15
A. Several prophecies were fulfilled like the one in Zechariah 9:9 when Jesus rides into Jerusalem.
B. Jesus’ identity, humility, intent and obedience are all in view here.
3. The Procession “When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.” Mark 11:7-8
A. Imagine this procession. Jesus is on a donkey and He is surrounded by throngs of common people. It was, as one writer said, a “procession of paupers”.
4. The Praise “Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna!’, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’, ‘Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!’, ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Mark 11:9-10
A. Only John’s gospel in 12:13 mentions palm branches. Hosanna, “Save, please!”. It is a cry to God for help but over time became ‘salvation is here’.
5. The People “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” John 12:13
A. Many shouted praises to the Lord that day, but their praise was misguided and short lived. They saw Jesus as the liberator who would deliver them from Roman oppression, but they had misunderstood - Psalm 118.
6. The Provision “Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve”. Mark 11:11
A. The day ends rather uneventful. It is actually quite anti-climatic. Jesus was not going into Jerusalem to sit on a throne, but to the cross to make an atoning sacrifice for sins.