The triumphal re-entry
After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!” (Rev. 19:1)
Hello Saints,
Yesterday was “Palm Sunday” in the liturgical calendar of the church. This 1600-year-old tradition that even my Hindu neighbor brought up when I was talking to him after church, is the precursor to ‘Holy Week”, leading up to the trial, crucifixion, burial and resurrection of our Savior. Like most traditions and feasts, we can’t see the forest for the trees. It’s like the palm leaves that are handed out on Sunday at church actually help in hiding the real meaning of the text of scripture, describing what the scripture points to. Just take a moment to read the texts surrounding all four gospel accounts of the “Triumphal Entry” as it is called. If those people who were cheering on that day really knew what was going on and could see themselves calling for the same man they are praising now, to be crucified just a few days later, it would be a totally different scene. There’s a lot of tension in the air. The religious leaders have had enough of Jesus because of the multitudes of people He is drawing away from the faith. Actually, in John’s Gospel, the “Triumphal Entry” is anchored in the resurrection of Lazarus. The Jews not only want to get rid of Jesus, they want to kill Lazarus too (John 12). Jerusalem, the city into which Jesus rides is held hostage by religion and its murderous leaders who are keeping its citizens in hostage. The prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 quoted in the gospels, points to the time of liberation for Jerusalem, when God comes and defeats the enemies who have set themselves against His people and city:“I will camp around My house Because of the army, because of him who passes by and him who returns. No more shall an oppressor pass through them, for now I have seen with My eyes” (Zech. 9:8). God is zealous for “His House”. Jesus rides in on a donkey as a victorious king and immediately enters into the temple (house) of God and clears the place. Why? Cause He is zealous for His house (Matt. 21:13). Then He heals the multitude of people who are being taken advantage of by the religious system and its leaders. The leaders are furious! The next morning, Jesus returns to the city and curses the fig tree, symbolically cursing the nation of Israel for its false religious system. Religion wants to do away with God so it can be its own god. The Jewish leaders were guilty of putting their religion before the Lord. God was before them, and their mission was to destroy Him. Lord have mercy when we substitute our religious practices for the living God!
The “Triumphal Entry” is rooted in Zechariah 9, a passage that describes God reclaiming His city from the enemy and rescuing His people from the oppression of other peoples/nations. It also points forward to the liberation Christ brings in Revelation 19, reclaiming His people, His bride from the great harlot Babylon, that false religious and political system led by the Anti-Christ. The crowds cheer, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God”, similar to cheers of “Hosanna” (Save now!) as Jesus rides into Jerusalem as conquering King (Matt. 21). In Revelation 19, Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (vs. 16), rides in on a white horse with His heavenly armies to defeat the Anti-Christ and his followers, those kings and nations who have followed the Anti-Christ and worshipped him and his religion, rather than the living God.
The “Triumphal Entry”, in context, framed by Zechariah 9 and Revelation 19, is really a foreshadow of Jesus righting what is wrong in the world. It is intended to bring us hope in a God who has not forgotten His people but will return to rescue them from the tyranny of oppressors. If you boil it down to its true meaning, the “Triumphal Entry” is a judgment passage, where the Judge of the universe pronounces judgment on the evildoers, and release of the captives who have been held by their evil deceptions. It tells us that the King will return to claim His bride, who has made herself ready by remaining separated from the false religions and antichrists of the world. She has been washed in the blood of the King, the Word of God, who is called Faithful and True, who has redeemed her for Himself by purchasing her from sin and death who held her captive. She will join her Bridegroom at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:1-16). Oh friends, we long for that day when our King triumphantly re-enters our world to defeat our enemy once and for all and claim us as His bride, to live in peace and joy forever in His kingdom. As the Church, His Bride, are we eagerly desiring our King's re-entry into Jerusalem to set up His Kingdom? Will you be at the marriage supper of the Lamb because you have been washed in His blood?
See you there!
"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."
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