Matthew 21:1-11 #2

Matthew 21:1-11 # 2
Luke’s account gives us some unique and interesting additional information concerning Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-44). It was obviously a festive occasion as the multitudes “rejoiced and praised God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen.” Matthew’s account records that they said “Hosanna,” meaning “Save now.” Luke records that they said, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” These crowds obviously understood Jesus to be both the Messiah and the King over the coming new kingdom even though they did not completely understand the nature of that kingdom or how Jesus would go about saving them.
Three fascinating incidents take place during these shouts. First, some of the Pharisees asked Jesus to tell His disciples to keep silent. They were appalled that Jesus allowed Himself to be called King and Messiah. But Jesus’ reply was, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
John records a second incident regarding the Pharisees (John 12:19). As the Pharisees observed His popularity, they said to one another, “You see that you have come to nothing, look, the world has gone after him.” His popularity was what they had desired and worked for all their lives but had never attained. They now realize that all their efforts had been fruitless.
The third incident is of a different sort. It has to do with the reaction of Jesus. Luke tells us that as He drew near the city, He wept over it. The word in the Greek is strongest word for weeping. It means to “bewail, mourn, or lament.” Jesus was not thinking of Himself, He was thinking of how many times He and the Father had tried to save this city and the Jewish people, but they had rejected. Now came their last chance, and they again would reject Him. The result of this rejection would be the final rejection of God. The Lord would send the Romans and the city would be leveled. This took place in 70 A.D. God is merciful to those who repent, but there is always a day of reckoning. That day came for them even as there will also come a day in which we will answer for our deeds.
Berry Kercheville