21:1-3
We now come to Palm Sunday, when Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Bethphage means “house of figs”. Two of the disciples were sent to the village to get a donkey and its colt. A donkey was a symbol of peace and humility (Zec 9:9). If anyone questioned them they were to say “The Lord needs them”. Everything that happened was arranged in advance. This does not mean that the participants were mere puppets or actors in a play, they were all responsible human beings. However, there is no contradiction between this and the Lord’s absolute sovereignty.
21:4,5
Matthew, of course, draws attention to how this was all a fulfilment of Scripture, quoting from Zec 9:9. Jesus came gently riding on a donkey. For a long time I found the events of Palm Sunday somewhat incongruous with what was going to happen next. We have the triumphal entry, the gentleness, then a few days later the utter brutality of Easter. How do the two fit together? As always, it is because Jesus is the perfect saviour. As damaged sinners we need the gentleness, but we need much more than that. Something momentous needs to be done about our sin and the wrath we are by nature under. Jesus is that perfect saviour.
No comments:
Post a Comment