The Beginning of the End

5. March 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

 

Today we are progressing to another chapter.  We are in the 21^st chapter of Matthew and near the end of the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Here is our text:

 

Matthew 21:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 ”Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” 10 When Jesus entered

Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in

Galilee.”

 

Today’s text has traditionally been referred to as Jesus’ triumphal entry into

Jerusalem.   This passage is usually taught on what is also referred to as Psalm Sunday in the life of the Church.  Palm Sunday begins the Passion Week of Jesus.  In other words, this would be his last public appearance before a large crowd before he would be betrayed and questioned of his accusers and sentenced to death. 

 

Notice that in our last few chapters, we have been discussing the foretelling of Jesus to his disciples of what would take place when he arrived in

Jerusalem.    The text says that as they approached Jerusalem and came unto Bethphage near the mount of Olives from Jericho that Jesus tells his disciples to go ahead of him  and there they will find a village and there will be a donkey tied with her colt by her.  They were instructed to bring them to him and if anyone asked they were simply to say that the Lord had need of them and immediately they would be released.

 

Now, historically we don’t know anything about the town or city of

Bethphage.  We do know that it was close to Jerusalem and that it was also near Bethany and near the

Mount of Olives. The

Mount of Olives is first mentioned in scriptures in the Old Testament when David was running from his son Absalom when he was trying to take the kingdom from his father.  The text reads as follows:  II Samuel 15:30 “ But Davis continued up the

Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot.  All the people with him covered his heads too and were weeping as they went up.” (NIV)  The New Testament references to the Mount of Olives include it as the place that Jesus stood as he wept over Jerusalem, where Jesus spent time teaching, praying there on the night of this betrayal for the Garden of Gethsemane was at the foot of the Mount of Olives. 

Ohhh, we are about to get into some of my favorite material in the bible.  The last week of Jesus, his betrayal, his trail, his death, burial and resurrection.   How perfect that it is leading up to the Easter Sunday while some traditions are practicing the forty days of Lent.   

Tomorrow, we will take a step backwards and tell you about some events that Matthew does not record but the other accounts in the gospel do that give us a complete picture of the events that transpire in the life of Jesus before he begins this Passion Week. 

Stay encouraged!!!!!!!!

 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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