JESUS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY Jesus did not just enter Jerusalem He paraded.

. What a perfect time for throngs of Jewish people to be in Jerusalem Dt. 16:16 3 times a year, Jewish men were required to be in Jerusalem Passover, Shavuot (Pentecost), Tabernacles. How did the people respond? Palm branches. . . . Feast of Tabernacles which finds its fulfillment in the Millennial Kingdom (Ex. 25:8; Lev. 23:40). The Feast of Passover was when God delivered the children of Israel! Zechariah 9:9 King/lowly 2 comings Jesus linked Himself historically and geographically to a particular event and place in Israels past that would RESONATE with the people. II Sam. 7 Jews were hoping for the restoration of Davids throne and for the return of King Solomons golden age. Lets go back to about 975 BC to a time when King David was rejected by Israel and driven into exile by his own son, Absalom. King David had been promised by God that he would always have an heir on the throne (II Sam. 7:8-17). However, that did not alleviate the problems of succession. Who would be king when David died? Absalom, Davids son, was unwilling to wait for his fathers death or to risk a later power struggle with his brothers. SO, Absalom plotted and enticed Davids most trusted adviser, Ahithophel (II Sam. 15:12), to join him and together they led a rebellion against the King. David had no choice but to flee as he heard, The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom (II Sam. 15:13). Scripture tells us that the whole countryside wept aloud (II Sam. 15:23) as a barefoot David (II Sam. 15:30) and his weeping entourage their cloaks covering their heads left the city, crossed the Kidron Valley and ascended the rocky road to the crest of the Mount of Olives to begin their exile across the Jordan River (II Sam. 19:15). An ally of Davids met them a little past the top of the mountain with saddled donkeys (II Sam. 16:1-2) for Davids household to ride.

Israel was torn by civil war. Eventually, however, the rebels were defeated and Absalom was killed in battle. David was left nearly inconsolable, O my son, Absalom, my son, my son, Absalom. If only I had died in your place! O, Absalom, my son, my son! (II Sam. 18:33) God kept His promise to David. Solomon came to the throne in 971 BC and vastly expanded the borders, influence and wealth of Israel. Solomon built the first Temple and reigned during a time of prosperity and peace. In the centuries that followed, when Israel was taken captive to Assyria and to Babylon, or lived under the domination of the pagan Greeks and Romans, and there was no heir of David on the throne, the golden age of Solomon became the archetype of the Messianic age that would come one day. On a Spring day in 29 AD (some say 30 AD), many were hoping for a Messiah. It was 1,000 years since Solomon had been crowned king. For Jesus, the time had come. It was the 10th of Nisan (see Exodus 12:1ff) Lamb Selection Day in Israel when the lambs were brought into Jerusalem and scrutinized for 4 days until the 14th of Nisan when only those lambs without blemish were sacrificed for Passover that Jesus rode into Jerusalem. There is some thought that Jesus rode into Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate. The lambs destined for Temple sacrifice for Passover were brought in through the Sheep Gate. Jesus is our perfect Passover Lamb (I Cor. 5:7; Isa. 53:5-6). Jesus chose as His route to Jerusalem Davids path of retreat. He was communicating that He was the righteous son of David returning to restore his Fathers kingdom. It is interesting to note the route of the departure of the glory of God, the Shekinah glory of God, from the Temple in Ezekiels day and stood on the mountain (Mount of Olives) (Eze. 10: 1, 4, 18, 19; Eze. 11:23 [Matt. 24:1-3]). Jesus, Emmanuel, God in the flesh, the glory of the only begotten of the Father (John 1:14) returned to the Temple from the Mount of Olives. Jesus and his entourage began their journey from the east side of the Jordan (Matt. 19:1; Matt. 20:17; Luke 18:35; 19:1). Bethany is beyond the Jordan (John 1:28) from where David was exiled. As Jesus passed through Jericho (first city to be conquered by the children of Israel in Joshuas day when they were fighting for a kingdom) (Matt. 10:46), a gathering throng joined Him as they began the 3,750 foot ascent to Jerusalem. As they were near Jericho, Jesus, who had told His disciples of His death, shared a parable with a kingdom theme re: the rejection of a nobleman (Luke 19:11ff).

At the crest of the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples ahead to Bethphage to unloose a donkey colt for His final entrance. The distance to Jerusalem less than half a mile and all of it downhill. Jesus didnt need the donkey for transportation. It was a prop AND it was at the same place that David had received his donkeys (II. Sam. 16:1-2). Zechariah 9:9 describes the coming of the King coming to restore and not to destroy. Davids flight on this section of the road had been marked by weeping and heads covered in sorrow. Davids people tore their robes and cloaks in grief. Jesus followers were exuberant lining the roadway with their cloaks and palm branches making a smooth path so unlike the one the barefoot David walked. Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Blessed is the King of Israel! Hosanna in the highest! (Psalm 118:25) Hosanna hoshana in Hebrew means, Save now! The cheering crowd distressed some of the Pharisees who said, Teacher, rebuke Your disciples. Jesus refused and told the Pharisees that if His followers were silenced, the stones would cry out (Luke 19:40). (Joshua 4:19 note that on the 10th of Nisan, Joshua crossed the Jordan near Jericho and was instructed to set up memorial stones stones of remembrance.) In Matt. 23:37 we read that Jesus cries out O Jerusalem, Jerusalem. . . . in a cry that mirrored Davids cry for Absalom. Israel is called son (Hosea 11:1; Ex. 4:22; Matt. 2:15). Enter Judas. He is another link to Davids story. He, like Davids most trusted counselor, Ahithophel, who had advised Absalom on how best to capture and kill the king, was a traitor. Judas told Jesus enemies where Jesus could be found. Judas hanged himself (Matt. 27:5). Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself. . . . (II Sam. 17:23). Jesus entry to Jerusalem appeared to be a failure. The masses who followed Him scattered. Some joined the crowd that called for His crucifixion. Peter denied Him. The disciples fled aside from John who was at the foot of the cross on the 14th of Nisan, Passover, when Jesus was crucified. BUT Jesus had conquered sin and death (Heb. 2;14). (Note: final victory in delivering the Kingdom I Cor. 15:24-28).

Ephesians 4:7ff speaks to the image of a conqueror marching through his enemys capital, wreaking havoc and collecting spoils. Jesus rose from the dead on the Feast of First Fruits (Lev. 23:9-14; I Cor. 15:23). As our first fruits, Jesus is our guarantee that we will be resurrected! Jesus ascended into heaven. His return as conquering King is imminent!