Introduction

A Most Important Week

In our last study in Mark, we followed Jesus as he neared his death in Jerusalem at the time of the Passover feast. The disciples were afraid and amazed at Jesus' determination (Mark 10:32). As they traveled with Jesus, so did the crowds. They flocked around Jesus. And the time of Jesus' cross grew near.

Today we enter the last third of Mark's gospel, a space mostly dedicated to the days before and after Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, often called the Passion Week of Christ. This portion of Mark is so extensive that some have called Mark's gospel the story of Jesus' passion week with a ten chapter introduction. Mark dedicated ten chapters to the life and ministry of Jesus, but a full six chapters to the events in and around the cross.

The lesson should be obvious. The events of Jesus' life in Jerusalem are of incredible importance and relevance. Whatever he did there was vital. As important as his life and teachings were, they would be nothing without his death. He is the King of a kingdom, but there would be no citizens unless he died and rose. He had to substitute himself for his people.

So let's follow Jesus on the road into Jerusalem on the Sunday before his death. Let's observe how he entered the city, how the disciples and crowds responded to him, and his first move once there.

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go.

7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.

8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

The Setting

The mood surrounding these events was tense, a combustible combination of various factors. First, the other gospels tell us Jesus wept and prayed as he entered the city. He longed for the city's salvation, and was saddened by their hardness of heart. Second, the fervor around Jesus was at an all-time high. John's gospel recounts how Jesus raised Lazarus back to life before this week, and then gathered in Bethany to feast with Lazarus' friends. The people loved what Jesus had done for Lazarus, but the jealousy of the religious leaders made them determine to kill Lazarus. Third, the Passover crowds jammed into Jerusalem, 2-3 million people ascending to the tiny city. The roads were crammed, the noise incessant, the anticipation high. This Passover was a powder keg.

Bizarre Behavior

As Jesus neared the city, he did something uncharacteristic. All through Mark's gospel, Jesus has silenced people. Only recently, with Bartimaeus, has Jesus begun to invite attention. And now, as they approach the eastern side of the city, Jesus decides to mount a young donkey and ride into Jerusalem like a coming king.

His behavior stands out to us. It is new, bizarre, and must be full of meaning. What does it show us of Christ? What can we learn?

1 Jesus Is in Control

Prearranged or Miraculous?

One of the first lessons of the passage is the control of Jesus. Jesus is in control. As they approach the city, he sent two of his disciples to collect a colt (2). The other gospels tell us it was the colt of a donkey, and that they also took the colt's mother, likely as a way to calm the younger animal (Matthew 21:2).

The disciples had to obtain the donkey in an unconventional way. Jesus directed them to a specific place in Bethphage where they would find the colt tied up. Take it, Jesus said. And if anyone bothers you about it, say, "The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately" (2-4).

The disciples went in and found it exactly as Jesus had said. After receiving permission to take the colt, they delivered it to Jesus, putting their cloaks on it as a makeshift saddle.

It reads like a miraculous event. Years earlier Jesus had told Peter to cast his, and he brought in a major haul of fish. Here, it appears the Lord has supernaturally provided the donkey.

But it is also possible that Jesus has prearranged for the donkey's use. John's gospel reminds us how much time Jesus and the disciples spent in Jerusalem for the various feasts, so he could have made arrangements at an earlier date. And this would not be uncharacteristic, because it is clear he reserved the upper room for the last supper well in advance.

He Is in Control

Either way, Jesus is presented here as handling the details surrounding his death. He knows what he is doing. He knows where he is heading. And he orchestrated all the events precisely as he desired. He is in control.

And all the events Jesus organized that day are nothing compared to the way he plotted for mankind's salvation. From the foundation of earth, Jesus was slain (Revelation 13:8). Before the inception of the galaxies, God put the cross of Christ into motion. Event after event, age after age, was organized by God to produce the first coming of the Son. He is in control.

Pontius Pilate thought he was in control on the day Jesus died; he wondered why Jesus wouldn't speak to him, since he had the authority to crucify Jesus (John 19:10). Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above" (John 19:11). As Peter said when he preached his first sermon, "Jesus (was) delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23). God was in control. God is in control.

When our world shakes, when pandemics arise, and when division strikes, God is in control. He is unmoved and unsurprised. Jesus himself said there would be wars and rumors of wars (Mark 13:7). He said, "When you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place (Luke 21:9). He said there would be "great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences" (Luke 21:11).

None of it shocks him. But, through it all, he churns out his kingdom. He is making disciples and shaping people into his image. He no longer collects young donkeys, but people, and uses them for his purposes. He handles the details of his kingdom, and the details of our lives, for his glory.

Romans 8:28 (NLT) — 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

He Needed

This is where there is a paradox. As much as Jesus is portrayed as the Sovereign Lord who is in control, he was also in need. The disciples had to tell the donkey's owners "the Lord has need of it" (3, 6). And Jesus needed the two disciples to run this errand for him.

This is Jesus. Rich, yet poor. Creator, yet the Son of Man. Handling the details, but searching for compliance in his people.

The Son of God chose to put himself in a position of need -- still does. He could blast the gospel forth from an angelic choir in heaven, he could solve the riddle of fatherlessness, he could reach out to those in poverty. One day he will, but today, for the most part, he chooses to use his people.

Remember Philip? His story is found in Acts. God saw an Ethiopian official heading home from Jerusalem. The man was reading about Jesus in the book of Isaiah. He didn't know what the words meant. So God sent Philip to the desert road to meet the man (Acts 8:26). And Philip led the man to Christ.

God needed Philip. He wanted to use Philip's mind and voice for his kingdom. And, in our story today, Jesus needed the colt and the obedience of two of his disciples. And, praise God, they volunteered themselves. Jesus, the one in control, had a say in the lives of his men. I hope he has a say in our lives as well.

2 Jesus Is the Promised Savior

Colt

But why did Jesus want to ride into Jerusalem on this young donkey? He'd gone to Jerusalem many times for various feasts. Ever since his childhood, Jesus had been a pilgrim bound for Jerusalem. And he had never ridden in on a young donkey. Why did Jesus choose such a dramatic and different entrance on this day?

He entered this way because it fulfilled a unique prophecy from the Old Testament. Zechariah had said:

Zechariah 9:9 (NLT) — 9 Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.

Mark doesn't make note of that prophecy, but Matthew and John do.

Other Prophecies

And this wasn't the only time Jesus did or said something that fulfilled a long forgotten prophecy.

• The Bible had said the Messiah would be born of a woman (Genesis 3:15), from a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), and in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
• He had to be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David (Genesis 17:19, Numbers 24:17, Genesis 49:10, 2 Samuel 7:12-13).
• He would spend some of his childhood in Egypt (Hosea 11:1).
• A massacre of children would happen at his birth town (Jeremiah 31:15).
• A messenger would cry out in the wilderness as a way to prepare people for his coming (Isaiah 40:3-5).
• He would be rejected by his own people (Psalm 69:8, Isaiah 53:3).
• He would be a Moses-like figure who would lead his people out of slavery (Deuteronomy 18:15).
• Elijah would come before he came (Malachi 4:5-6).
• He would be known as a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23).
• He would do much of his work in Galillee (Isaiah 9:1-2).
• He would teach with parables (Psalm 78:2-4, Isaiah 6:9-10).
• He would serve the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1-2).
• Little children would praise him (Psalm 8:2).
• He would be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12-13).
• The money spent to betray him would buy a field (Zechariah 11:12-13).
• He would be falsey accused, but silent before his accusers (Psalm 35:11, Isaiah 53:7).
• He would be crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12).
• They would give him vinegar to drink while on the cross (Psalm 69:21).
• His hands and feet would be pierced (Psalm 22:16).
• He would be mocked and ridiculed, and soldiers would gamble for his garments (Psalm 22:7-8, 18).
• His bones would not be broken while on the cross (Exodus 12:46, Psalm 34:20).
• They would pierce his side (Zechariah 12:10).
• They would bury him in a rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9).
• And he would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10).

All thirty-two of those Old Testament prophecies sound like Jesus to me! The sure prophetic witness of Scripture points to Jesus. You can trust him.

3 Jesus Came First in Meekness

Like a King

But Jesus' journey into Jerusalem wasn't only a fulfillment of prophecy, but a glimpse into his kingdom. You see, everything Jesus did that day spoke of his royalty. Why?

First, he rode in on an unbroken beast, a donkey on which no one had ever sat (2). In the Old Testament era, important people and events required unbroken, unyoked animals. And that Jesus was able to tame the untamed spoke of his royal nature.

Second, the disciples placed their cloaks on the donkey so Jesus could have a saddle, and the people placed their garments on the road so Jesus could have smoothed road. These things were done for kings, and they demonstrate the excitement of the population (2 Kings 9:12-13).

Third, the crowds cut down leafy branches on the road (8). John tells us they spread palm leaves out before Jesus (John 12:13).

All this pointed to the coming of King Jesus.

Unlike a King

But he also came unlike a king. Think of the original readers of Mark's gospel, citizens of Rome. When their kings and generals returned from war they often rode in chariots and warhorses. The victory parade was a glorious affair. Soldiers and weapons were on full display. Swords were held high. And the spoils of victory everywhere. Artists would depict paintings and models of the conquered cities. Incense burned and rose petals were tossed. Even exotic animals were part of the procession.

In the years in between the Old and New Testament, Israel was suppressed by foreign powers. Sometimes, they would resist. One resistance movement was led by a man named Simon Maccabaeus, and he won some extraordinary victories for Israel. When he returned in victory, his entrance to the city was very similar to Jesus' on this day (1 Maccabees 13:49-53). So the people were likely hoping Jesus would drive out the Roman suppressors just like the Maccabeans had driven out the foreign powers of their day.

When Mohammad came to Mecca, he came with warhorses and thousands of warriors and swords. His coming was one of war. Those who resisted his coming were killed or enslaved. And his new religious and political reign began.

But Jesus didn't come with a sword or warriors. He didn't come as a conquering general. He came with twelve disciples. And the crowds laid down leafy branches. He didn't ride a warhorse, but a young donkey.

This is all in contrast with his eventual second coming. When he comes again, to this very same Mount Of Olives, he will ride a warhorse, and he will come with a sword (Revelation 19:11-16). His return will be visible, just like his departure (Acts 1:11). But his first coming was one of meekness. One day he will return in power. But his first coming was not at all what the people were expecting.

When the apostle John received his vision of heaven, the angel spoke of the Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah -- that's Jesus. But when John looked, he saw a Lamb standing as though it had been slain (Revelation 5:6) -- that's Jesus. Gentle. Meek. Humble. This is the nature of the first coming of Christ.

And Jesus told us to follow his lead. Consider the first three beatitudes:

Matthew 5:3–5 (ESV) — 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

4 Jesus Brought Better Salvation

Hosanna

But the people cried out to Jesus. Hosanna, they said. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" (9-10).

In the Old Testament, there were times people approached the king and asked him to save -- and the people did the same thing to Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. Hosanna means save now. They longed for deliverance, for salvation. Salvation now!

The Coming Kingdom of Our Father David

And they wanted this salvation to coincide with the kingdom of David. Again, this was a terribly exciting moment. They knew Jesus was special.

John tells us they didn't really know and believe in Jesus (John 12:37). They were confused about him and his message. But they were excited. The Son of David has come! Save now, they said.

And their songs, directed towards Jesus, angered the religious leaders. Mark doesn't mention it, but the other gospels tell us the Pharisees confronted Jesus about the crowds words. Jesus, the crowd is singing Psalm 118 to you! To YOU! This isn't right. Silence them!

But Jesus said, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out" (Luke 19:40).

Looked Around at All Things

Jesus heard their cries and went straight to the temple courts (11). The Son of David goes straight for the heart of Israel, the heart of Judaism. The crowds must have pressed upon him in anticipation. Would he call down fire? Would he drive out the Romans from the sacred space? Would he rally a revolt?

Instead, Jesus looked around at everything (11). He observed the busy-ness and business of the temple. Then, since it was already late, he departed for a night in Bethany (11).

I can't emphasize enough how anticlimactic this was for the people. Was Jesus the long-awaited Messiah? Was he the one who would elevate Israel to worldwide dominion? Was he the political superhero for whom they waited? For a moment, while he was on his donkey, it felt like it.

Then he left. Maybe not.

But Jesus most definitely heard their cries for salvation. He heard them shout "Hosanna!" But he decided to answer their cry for salvation with a deeper, better, and truer salvation. We know this -- he came to deliver his people from sin.

He came for war, but not the kind people expected. He came to destroy Satan and the power of sin. He might not have come for visible and tangible war, but Jerusalem would be place he collided with all the powers of darkness. On the cross, he raged against a force stronger and more ever-present than gravity, the reign of sin. And, through his death and resurrection, he won a better salvation -- the best salvation.

And in the weeks to come, as we journey through this important section of Mark, we will discover the war Jesus fought and be reminded of the salvation he won.