Sunday: The Triumphal Entry
He was born in Bethlehem. He grew up in Nazareth. He taught, preached, and healed throughout Galilee, Samaria, Judea, and Perea. But one city held His constant focus: Jerusalem. Jesus steadfastly set His face to go to
the city (Luke 9:51, NKJV). His entry into the city marked the most dramatic and crucial week in world history.
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
The week began with Christ’s kingly march into the city and saw His death on the cross, by which we who were enemies were reconciled to God through the death of His Son
(Rom. 5:10, NKJV).
Read Luke 19:28-40. Imagine the excitement of the disciples. They must surely have thought that at this time King Jesus would ascend to an earthly throne at Jerusalem, the throne of King David. What important lesson about false expectations can we take from this account?
When Jesus was born, wise men from the East came knocking at the doors of Jerusalem, asking that poignant question: Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?
(Matt. 2:2, NKJV). And now, a few days before the Cross, as His disciples and the multitudes thronged the city, an acclaim burst across Jerusalem’s sky: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
(Luke 19:38, NKJV).
This amazing scene fulfilled prophecy. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey
(Zech. 9:9, NKJV). Yet, Jesus knew that this march of history, which began with the shouts of Hosanna, would soon wind up on Golgotha, where He would utter those triumphant words It is finished.
Though it was all according to God’s eternal plan, His disciples were so caught up in the traditions and teachings and expectations of their own time and culture that they completely missed His earlier warnings about what would take place and what it all meant.
Christ spoke to them, but they didn’t listen. Or maybe they listened, but what He said went so much against what they expected that they blocked it out. How can we make sure we aren’t doing the same thing when it comes to biblical truth?
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As the exultant crowd chanted hosanna ahead of and behind Christ on the way to Jerusalem there were some who would not join in (Mark 11:7-10). They knew that the carpenter’s son, Jesus was not about to set up an earthly Kingdom and liberate the Jews from Roman oppression (Mark 6:3, 4; Luke 19:11). They had a point and so they separated themselves and declined to show support for the Messiah. They were right on a narrow point, but found themselves on the wrong side.
At the time William Miller preached the soon Second Coming of Jesus there were also those who knew Jesus was not about to come and so they ridiculed the preacher and criticized the advent movement. They were right on a narrow point, but found themselves on the wrong side. The Holy Spirit and the angels were actively supporting Miller and company.
It is not absolutely necessary that the faithful get every single point of belief completely correct. It is far more critical to be on the right side (Exodus 32:25, 26), even if mistaken about a few issues as the disciples were for a time (Acts 1:6).
To be on the right side may require discernment (eye salve) as led by the Holy Spirit to see the connection between one thing and another (Revelation 3:18). Understand too eye salve is not transferrable between brethren (Matthew 25:8, 9).
As well it is helpful to keep the big picture in perspective, to grasp Jehovah’s greater purpose of restoring His image in mankind and align with that. God will straighten out the twisted understanding of finer points later.
Sadly some of those who previously shouted hosanna to the Lord consulted the influential leaders, checked the doctrinal wind direction, found a shift in the popular sentiment, and later screamed “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” (Luke 23:21) When the question comes, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” pray the response will be positive (Joshua 24:15; Revelation 6:17).
Well said, sir!! It is definitely far more important "to be on the right side" than to get the doctrinal issues correct! Making Jesus my best friend forever guarantees that those issues will come into perspective when necessary! Seek first Jesus and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you!
HUGH
I appreciate your comments, they have been inspiring. But your texts that
indicate that a given group rejected Jesus entry into Jerusalem. Mark 11: 7-10. are not depicting that idea? The text Mark 6:3 doesn't reflect entry
into Jerusalem? thanks jp
Jim,
Thanks for the useful query. You are correct. The references are not as straight forward as they could have been.
Mark 11:7-10 was actually only intended to identify the event. Luke 19:28-40 would be a better reference since it identifies some of the Pharisees as objecting to the event. Mark 6:3, 4 was intended to point out there were common people from Jesus' hometown who took offense at Him and did not honor Him even as a prophet. They would likely be on the side of the Pharisees. Finally if some of the people understood the parable starting at Luke 19:11 they might not have been too excited and would have reason to exclude themselves from the celebration.
So it does require a bit of working through. Sorry.
I don't blame the people who didn't join the jubilant crowd because they were as misguided as the disciples, and His followers had been. And it was not until the resurrection of Jesus had they understood the nature of his kingdom and his mission. What is meant by being on the right side? Was Miller and his followers on the right side? I think we are getting mixed up here. The truth of the matter is Miller and his followers were actually on the wrong side because they ignored the clear saying of the Word concerning the Second coming and fixed a time for the Lord to come. whereas those who did not join Miller's false teaching knew that the lord would come, but in his own time. These were on the right side. Had Miller been guided by the holy spirit and the angels, this movement wouldn't have ended up in delusion and disappointment, for the holy Spirit does not lead us into confusion but into all truth. Miller made this confession: "I readily confess I was misled in my calculations; not by the word of God, nor by the established principles of interpretation I adopted, but by the authorities which I followed in history and chronology, which have been generally considered worthy of fullest confidence. I am thankful to God, although much and sorely disappointed, that I never pretended to be divinely inspired, but always directed you to the same source from which I obtained all the information I then had and now possess on this glorious and heart – cheering subject” (A Brief History of William Miller by J. V. Himes, p. 314, 1853, [published 1915]).Finally, I believe that it is essential that we have a true understanding of all the saving truths. And it is the responsibility of every believer to know what is the truth from the word of God.
Chris,both the Millerites and the disciples missed the clear teachings of prophecy. The Millerites missed that we don't know the day or hour of His return, and they confused the earth with the sanctuary. The disciples missed the prophecies that the Messiah would be cut off and crucified, and confused His mission with earthly greatness. So why are the Millerites on the wrong side but not the disciples? Seems to me we all are human and make mistakes.
Well, brother William, first of all my comment was in response to Hugh's first comment where he says that Millerites were on the right side.But I disagreed with him on this point. Now coming back to your question, I still hold the disciples to be on the right side for the following reasons:
1. Every Jew was brought up with the preconceived notion that the Messiah would establish a literal kingdom, this was their national hope.
2. It was Jesus' purpose to educate them of the true nature of his kingdom and cure them of these false expectations of his temporal kingdom.
3. You can see the influence these traditions had upon their lives that they simply couldn't grasp the truth from Jesus on this point.
4. Jesus was patient, and never rebuked them but tried to teach them till the end.
5. It was after the resurrection of Jesus their prejudice concerning the kingdom of God were corrected.
The experience of the disciples was to be an admonition for the Church henceforward. Before His ascension,He warned the disciples, "it is not for you to know the times or the seasons..." - Acts 1:7. He had also cautioned them earlier, "that of the day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven but my Father only" - Matthew 24:36, 42. For William Miller to disregard these warnings and interpret the Bible to suit his conclusions is a clear departure from the "thus saith the Lord". He not only deceived himself but advocated the same and misled thousands. In the end he had admitted that he was wrong. Up to the point of the disappointment, he was on the wrong side. It is not my intention to convince you anyway.
Chris,
Thanks for your contribution to the healthy discussion. Short answers to your questions in your first post: The right side is the Lord's side. Yes W. Miller was on the Lord's side.
Following Jesus as best as one understands is the key (Luke 9:23). Non-SDA's will be in the Kingdom of Heaven on account of this.
Were the Pharisees blameless for not joining something God organized(Luke 19:39, 40) and Jesus supported (Luke 19:28-31)? When people are not willing God finds substitutes, including stones, if necessary. SDA's need to guard against getting caught on the side of the Pharisees, thinking they have the 'right' understanding.
Concerning Miller scripture does not give much (Revelation 10:8-11), but someone close to the action (EGW) recorded this:
"As Whitefield and the Wesleys were urged by the Holy Spirit to arouse the formal and world-loving churches of their time, so was Wm. Miller moved to proclaim the coming of Christ and the necessity of a work of preparation." (Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4 p. 215)
'Angels of God accompanied William Miller in his mission…Although opposed by professed Christians and the world, and buffeted by Satan and his angels, he ceased not to preach the everlasting gospel to crowds wherever he was invited, sounding far and near the cry, “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.”' (Early Writings p. 232)
Hugh. i seem to have a problem with your line of thought. i bring to your attention in my submission Mark 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany WITH THE TWELVE. i believe Judas was on the right side seeing he was still with the group yet he missed the mark. My point is that being on the right side is not enough. when he says in Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. I conclude that God knows that not all on his side are with him.
Sadly i think this is why we are currently experiencing doctrinal crossroads in the Church because we feel we don't have to be agreed on all issues. There's only one truth and we can not sit on the fence. Christ is coming to get a spotless bride not one with wrinkle or spot. Being on the right side is not enough,being on the right side and getting it all right is ideal. i wonder if the person who surrendered the donkey for the Masters use even had a personal relationship with him?
im guessing what lesson we could take from this is that what we as christian should remember is that our main goal is Jesus, and being caught up with excitement is so easy that we lose sight of what is more important. Each and every word of Jesus should be taken into account of our lives , asking the Holy Spirit to help us remember each important thing He said.
Studying these events of the triumphal entry I would like to share another aspect of this dramatic situation. All of a sudden there was a radical change of events being mirrored in what Christ was saying as he begun to weep over the city. His quivering lips are swallowing up a whole sentence that is left unspoken: If youd had known in this day, even you, the things belonging to peace ------- I would have been very glad and happy, indeed ----- but now they are hid from your sight. (Luke 19:41-42)
All the world was very glad and happy to wellcome him to the throne of David to usher in the kingdom of God driving away the Romans, establishing Jerusalem as the capital of the world. The one to be expected to carry out this act of salvation was very sad, mourning and weeping instead of sharing the happiness of this ever growing multitude.
What he is saying does not make sense to the crowd. He has come to establish his messianic throne at Jerusalem and now he is proclaiming that the city will be a heap of ruins, the Romans emerging as victors over Israel. Is he going to be king over a heap of ruins? The temple as the holy place of worship totally eradicated? Why this triumphal entry? This is no good news to the masses. They certainly dispersed and left.
They all are heading toward a big disappointmant out of which good news would emerge at last. The lesson? Does our faith hold out when confronted with seemingly bad news? As in our history so in our daily life: Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36 RSV)
Winfried Stolpmann