The Story of Christmas, Day 19: Wednesday, December 14 – Matthew 21:1-11 A King Rejected

On the nineteenth day of Christmas, my Bible said to me...Jesus offered himself to Jerusalem as their king but was rejected. One day he will rule the world in truth and grace and there will be glory to God in the highest!

Today's Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
    humble, and mounted on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Devotional Thoughts

Jerusalem was a big city, but this had everyone talking. Something big was happening and people were wondering what was going on. The crowd came over the rise on the Mt. of Olives and was walking down the steep hill toward the gate to enter the city. One man was on a donkey while the rest of the crowd was chanting, "Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." As the crowd approached the city it is likely that others joined the group. People were laying palms and placing their cloaks before the path of the animal with the rider.

Who is that and what is going on?

The praise and worship of the disciples of Jesus Christ stirred up the entire city. Can you imagine? The hottest news in town was the worship of the people of God? Not a protest or press conference. Just praise. The loud and raucous praise of Jesus Christ swelled up to the point where everyone in Jerusalem was drawn to inquire.

And they responded by declaring that it was Jesus of Nazareth entering Jerusalem. They proclaimed Jesus. Yes, it's a stretch to call that evangelism - these people thought Jesus was coming into Jerusalem to take the reins of government not to lay down his life to establish the invisible Kingdom of God. But they praised Jesus and then they proclaimed Jesus.

Wouldn't it be great if our lives were so filled with joy and praise that people would be drawn to inquire, "What is going on here?" Wouldn't it be great if there was such joy, such spiritual power, such an evident sense of the presence and power of God at our worship services that people were drawn toward Jesus?

Our lives are meant to be the primary advertisement for the gospel. People should see Jesus in us, displaying his power through us and be drawn to Christ. "I want what you have." That is why we must seek Christ, be renewed, and purified. Jesus' glory must shine through us. It is not some nebulous "Christmas Spirit" that we need - it is Jesus!

The meaning of this passage can only be seen if you read the entire passage, which goes through chapter 23.  In it, Jesus cleanses the Temple, curses the fig tree, battles the Pharisees, and gives a lament over Jerusalem. Listen to that lament.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”Matthew 23:37-39

It had been over 500 years since the prophet Zechariah had delivered his prophecy that the king would come riding in humility into Jerusalem on a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9) Now, Jesus rode into the city as a direct fulfillment of that prophecy with crowds lining the path and crying out "Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

Israel's king had come. But how would they respond? Unfortunately, they did not respond well. 

Look at that closing phrase. When Jesus entered the city, they chanted, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." But it became clear that Jerusalem was rejecting its king and would not accept him - right up to the fateful moment they chose Barabbas and he was sentenced to die. Here, Jesus says they will not see him again until the city says what was said by those who accompanied him on the way in - "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Same phrase. They rejected him and that must one day be corrected. 

The Prince of Peace rode into Jerusalem offering himself as king, but was rejected. One day he will come again, not riding on a donkey but on a great white horse, in glory, and every knee will bow. He will rule the world in truth in grace and there will be Glory to God in the highest. 

The promise of Christmas, the hope of the Triumphal Entry, will one day be completely fulfilled. 

Father, may the light of Christ shine through me. May his joy bubble up through me. May I be holy as you are holy. May the world see you through me and be drawn to you. 

Think and Pray

.Which group better describes you, the disciples who praised Jesus and welcomed him as king or the people of Jerusalem who rejected him and held on to the reins of their own lives? 
The issue with Jesus is always his Lordship, his kingship. Will you submit to him as Lord? 

Carol of the Day

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth; 
Ye who sang creation’s story, 
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Come and worship,Come and worship,Worship Christ, the newborn King! 

Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship, 
Come and worship, 

Worship Christ, the newborn King!