Jesus' Triumphal Entry

On Sunday of His final week of ministry on earth, Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a triumphant king surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd but then announced His impending death.

Babylon, 539 B.C.

Octogenarian Daniel pours out his heart to God, baring his and his people Israel’s sins, interceding for his city. While absorbed in his prayer during evening worship, the angel Gabriel swoops down to him like a bird out of Heaven. He tells Daniel that God heard his prayer and will send the Messiah. The extensive message included the following detail: “Understand that from the time the word goes out to rebuild Jerusalem until the coming of the Anointed Leader, 490 years will pass.” Less than 100 years later, Artaxerxes permitted Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem. At least one timetable puts the event told on this page 490 years later to the day.

Jerusalem, circa 520 B.C.

Zechariah declares and writes a message to Judah, which becomes the Minor Prophet book with more messianic prophecy than any other. Among those prophecies is this one: “Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion . . . Your king is coming! He will be a good and righteous king, a humble king riding a mere colt of a donkey. God says there will be no more war, no more chariots or war horses in Jerusalem, no more swords and spears or bows and arrows. This king will offer peace to the nations, a peaceful, worldwide rule.”

March, A.D. 33

On Sunday, the crowd that had arrived for the Feast of Unleavened Bread heard that Jesus was entering Jerusalem. Some who had been with Jesus when He raised Lazarus from the dead were spreading the story, and the crowd grew and grew. They welcomed Jesus as He rode into the city on a young donkey, just as Zechariah predicted. People broke off palm branches and went out to meet Him, cheering, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in God’s name! He is the King of Israel!”

The Pharisees were frustrated. “That’s it,” they said. “The whole world is following Him!”

Some God-fearing non-Jews were in town to worship at the Feast. Coming to Philip, they asked, “Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?” Philip told Andrew, and together, they told Jesus. Jesus answered, “It’s time for the Son of Man to be glorified.” The Jews were rejecting Him, and the nations were showing interest.

Later, He continued, “Judgment time is here. The ruler of this world will be thrown out, and when I am lifted up from the earth (on a cross), people from all nations will gather around Me.”

Some in the crowd answered, “We understand God’s Law to indicate that the Messiah lasts forever. How can it be that the Son of Man will ‘be lifted up’ as you say? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

Jesus declared, “The light will be among you a little longer. Walk by the light so darkness won’t destroy you. Walk in darkness, and you get lost quickly. Believe in the light while you can, and you will be children of light.” Jesus said all this and then withdrew from them for a while.

Even though His birth was accompanied by many convincing proofs, they didn’t believe.

Even though John had declared Him to be the Son of God, they didn’t believe.

Even though He proved who He was with signs and miracles, they still didn’t believe in Him.

He had come to His own people, but they didn’t want Him. That’s why, in essence, Jesus said on that day, “That’s it. It’s time . . .” Now, He was headed to the cross.

Still later that day, Jesus pleaded with the crowd, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not just in Me but in the One who sent Me. Whoever looks at Me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent Me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in Me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.”

Those who did want Him—those who believed in Jesus’ name—He gave them the right to be God’s true children.