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Jerusalem Receives Her King - Matthew 21
Jerusalem Receives Her King - Matthew 21
As we turn to Matthew 21 we enter into the final week of the earthly life of Jesus. He came proclaiming the good news that the Kingdom of heaven was at hand and commanding men to repent. He has spent somewhere around 3 years teaching the people about God and God’s righteousness. He has publicly displayed His authority as the rightful son of David who is to be honored as King. He showed such authority over sickness by healing many; over demons by casting them out; over the very elements of the world by calming the storm and walking on water; and even over death by raising people from death.
When tempted by Satan to take the ‘easy way’ unto the kingdom, He chose the way of righteousness and rejection (Matt. 4). When the people wanted to make him an earthly king so that he could provide food for their stomachs, he refused (John 6). His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). His kingdom and rule is to be over all. His kingdom is one of righteousness and truth. With full knowledge of His coming rejection and death, he enters Jerusalem for the last week.
He comes riding on a colt of a donkey. While such doesn’t meet OUR idea of a conquering king on a white horse, such DID picture the son of David (Solomon) entering Jerusalem to take his position as king (read that account in 1 Kings 1:44). Jewish people knowing both the story of Solomon and the authority of Jesus welcomed him as the King by shouting: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9).
The rulers of the Jews were not as receptive. They had been plotting and scheming how they could put Jesus to death. This final week in the life of Jesus will see them ‘win’ only to lose. They succeed in having Him crucified only to deal with His resurrection. They can refuse to submit to Him as king, but they cannot keep Him from being King.
So it is today. Jesus allows each of us to choose. Those that accept His authority over their lives can be ‘translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear son” (Col. 1:13). Those that reject Him as king will meet Him in judgment. All the self-pompous rebellion will end in defeat as every knee bows and confesses that Jesus is Lord (Phil. 1:20).
In the words of the old hymn: Someday you’ll stand at the bar on high, someday your record you’ll see, someday you’ll answer the question of life; what will your answer be?
Hugh DeLong
