Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-17
The triumphal entry was one of the most remarkable incidents in our Lord’s life. Usually Jesus made no public demonstration, did nothing to draw attention to Himself in any way. Indeed, He avoided publicity; He did not strive nor cry aloud; neither did anyone hear His voice in the streets. He spoke to His disciples confidentially of His Messiahship, but did not publicly proclaim it. On this occasion, however, He made a public demonstration; riding into the city as a king would ride, thus proclaiming to the multitudes, assembling for the Passover feast, the fact of His Messiahship. How shall we explain this? May we not say that it was another way of presenting Himself to the people, offering Himself to them as their Messiah, for the last time? A prophet had foretold that He would thus in this spectacular way ride into the city, but He did not do it merely to fulfill prophecy. The prophecy was part of the will of God for him and there was a reason for it beyond the fulfilling of what had been foretold.
Two disciples were sent from Bethphage (house of figs, the precise site undiscoverable now) into an unnamed village nearby, to prepare for the great occasion. Note their obedience. “The disciples went, and did even as Jesus commanded them.” They were glad to have a part in the honoring of their Master. No doubt they themselves shared the expectations of the multitude regarding Jesus, hoping that the time had now come for Him to assume His place as King. It was a lowly errand on which they were sent — to bring to their Master the animal on which He was to ride — but they were proud to be chosen for this service. We should be glad always to run any errand, even the humblest, for our Master. If He were here now and wanted to ride somewhere, who would not be glad to lend Him a beast to ride on? Who would not be eager to bring Him His horse and help Him to mount?
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