THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE LORD JESUS’ TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

“They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road” (Matt. 21:7-8 NKJV).

The Lord Jesus’ victory foreshadowed - The palm branches that were used to pave the way for the Lord Jesus entry into Jerusalem were a symbol that foreshadowed His victory over sin and the grave. In the Book of Revelation, we are given a glimpse of the fulfillment of the Lord Jesus’s victory, where palm branches will once again be used to praise the Lamb of God (cf. v. 7:9)

The Lord Jesus rode on a donkey but will return on a white horse – A donkey was chosen by the Lord Jesus for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This fulfilled Zech. 9:9 prophecy. In Biblical times it was common for royalty to travel by donkey because the animal was a symbol of peace. However, the next time the Lord Jesus comes to earth, He will sit on a white horse, which symbolizes victory in battle (cf. Rev. 19:11).

The Lord Jesus came as King of a different kingdom – The Roman had occupied their land for decades; these Jewish people had hoped that the Lord Jesus would be a political and military leader who would free them from the hated Romans. The Lord Jesus stated that the Kingdom He came to establish was not of this world (cf. John 18:36).

This was a truly unusual way for a triumphant king to enter a city. Conquering kings normally rode on mighty stallions. However, the Lord Jesus didn’t come riding a warhorse. This reveals what kind of King the Lord Jesus is. He came in meekness and lowliness. The Lord Jesus came not for war, but for peace, establishing peace between God and us (Acts 10:36; Col. 1:20). When the Lord Jesus rode into Jerusalem during His triumphal entry, He proclaimed Himself as the long-awaited King and redeemer - the King of our hearts for eternity.

   (Adapted Christianity. Com)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“On Palm Sunday, we join the chorus of voices proclaiming Jesus as King, acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives and our world!”

Rick Warren (1954 –)

American Baptist Pastor and Author

Word Study

Hosanna

In John 12:13 we read, “Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord!" (NKJV).

Hosanna is the Greek word hōsanná (ὡσαννά = ho-san-nah'). It is a transliteration of a Hebrew phrase composed of two Hebrew words hoshiya (yâshaʻ = yaw-shah') which means to save and na' which means please, I beg you! I pray now! The word is used only once in Psalm 118:25. The meaning of the original Hebrew phrase is something like “Please save!” “Help, I pray,” “Save now, I pray!” In the Lord Jesus’ day, “hosanna” originally signified a cry for help. However, over time it became not only a prayer for help (salvation), but also an invocation of blessing, an exclamation of praise, a shout of celebration. Thus, it was a very familiar word to everyone in Israel which accounts for the crowds shouting “Hosanna” at the time of the Triumphal Entry of the Messiah into Jerusalem.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong” (Zech. 8:13 KJV).

Did You Know…

Palm Sunday commemorates the day the Lord Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. By means of this Triumphal Entry, the Lord Jesus fulfils the Messianic prophecy of Zech. 9:9.

Bible Quiz

What did the Pharisees ask the Lord Jesus on Palm Sunday to do regarding the shouting of the disciples?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: In the Parable of the Sower, what happened to the seed that fell by the wayside? “The birds of the air came and devoured it” (Mark 4:4).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“ONLY BEGOTTEN SON”

"No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him!” (John 1:18 NKJV).

1. Meaning – ONLY BEGOTTEN SON speaks of the Lord Jesus as the unique and beloved One who is Himself God; the one-of-a-kind Son, God.

2. Insights – Here we have another statement affirming the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Son is at the Father’s side, thus revealing the intimacy of the Father and the Son (cf. vv. 1-2). Furthermore, the Son has “declared” Him, i.e. made the Father known. This tells us that the Son is Father’s explainer; He came to earth and lived among men to explain God to us with His words and by His person. No one can know God apart from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Did You Know – Christian History

Marcellus was born around mid-3rd Century A.D. He was a Roman Centurion stationed at Tingis, modern-day Tangiers in Morocco.

In July 298, the merry making was at its height as the troops in North Africa celebrated Emperor Maximian’s birthday. There was the usual feasting and drinking, as well as sacrifices to the emperor, who was ranked with the gods. But not everyone was in a party mood. As Marcellus surveyed the scene, he was filled with disgust. As a convert to Christianity, he knew that Maximian, however powerful, was a mere man. Christ alone could be ruler of his heart.

Abruptly, he stood in front of all the men, removed his military belt and threw it down. “I serve Jesus Christ the Eternal King,” he said loudly. He also threw down his vine-switch, the insignia of his rank. “Henceforward I cease to serve your Emperors, and I scorn to worship your gods of wood and stone, which are deaf and dumb idols. If such be the terms of service that men are forced to offer sacrifice to gods and Emperors, behold I cast away my vine-switch and belt, I renounce the standards, and refuse to serve.”

Astonished, his fellow soldiers seized him. To their ears, Marcellus’ words were not only blasphemy but insubordination and treachery. They dragged him before the local governor, Anastasius Fortunatus who ordered him thrown into prison. After the feast was over, Fortunatus called Marcellus out stating that he could not pass over this insubordinate conduct and reported the matter to higher authorities.

That is how Marcellus found himself in Tangier on October 30th, standing before Aurelius Agricolan. After hearing the evidence, Agricolan ordered that Marcellus be put to death by the sword. The man taking the dictation was the stenographer, Cassian. The verdict seemed so unfair to him that he threw down his pen and refused to write another word. Agricolan ordered him thrown into prison, too. On December 3, 298, Cassian followed Marcellus to death, beheaded for his bold stand.

A Little Humor

Six-year-old Kirsten was talking with her grandmother about their church’s Easter sunrise service when she announced, “Nana, I’m not going to that rise-and-shine thing. I have to get up too early!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Every person faces this choice - Christ or condemnation!”