THOUGHTS FROM MATTHEW

July 5

Text: Matthew 21:9

And the multitudes going before Him, and those who followed after were crying out, saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!" (NASB)

The mood was joyful and infectious!  It was the mood often seen at our victory events.  Celebration was spontaneous and everywhere!  The air was full of excitement!

This event occurred as Israelites assembled in Jerusalem for an important national remembrance.  They would remember when God’s acts made them a nation.  The timing was perfect!  What better way to renew a conquered people than by making Jesus their new king?

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the multitude divided into two parts.  Part of the multitude led Jesus into the city, and part of the multitude followed him.  The noise these people generated had to be deafening and noticeable.  To this multitude it was an occasion of victorious expectation.  To Jesus, it was a march to death.  A cross led to his throne.  Life would arise from his execution.

He was not deceived by the crowd’s mood.  The excitement of the moment did not obscure his true destination.  He came to be king, but a death of suffering and humiliation instead of a human coronation would make him king.  He would be king of the world, not just king of Israel.  Soon the joy of welcome would become the hatred of disappointment.  He knew expectation would be disappointed.

The shouts seemingly declared the multitude’s willingness to accept Jesus as king.  If that is the proper interpretation of their shouts of Hosanna, they were giddy with the awareness that Jesus was to be Israel’s new physical king.  At long last, God’s promise to King David would be reality (2 Samuel 7:16, 25-29).  However, though this was true, it was NOT what the multitude expected.

What sorrowful heaviness Jesus must have felt to know the multitude’s expectations were so wrong.

Suggestion for reflection: Do your expectations cause Jesus joy or sorrow?  (Read Philippians 2:5-8.)

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