Text: Matt. 21: 1‑11
INTRODUCTION: Our systematic expository Bible Study today brings us to the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. This episode reveals two major aspects of Christ: His Lordship over all and His Kingship of all. As we review these two concepts today, the Lord expects that we learn the relevant lessons, as we better appreciate who the Master we have come to serve is.
(1) Christ: The Lord Of All (Matt. 21:1‑7)
In the course of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, while at Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives, near Bethany, Jesus sent two of His disciples to go to the nearby village where they would find an ass and a colt, tied. He asked them to loose them and bring same to Him, adding that if any queried them for so doing, they should reply that the LORD had need of them (Matt. 21:1‑3). And exactly that was done and they brought the ass and the colt to Jesus (Matt. 21:4‑7; Lk. 19:32‑35).
Even though humanly speaking, the ass/colt did not belong to Jesus, when the people were told that the Lord had need of them, they immediately let go. Intuitively, they knew that this Person taking the ass/colt to make use of without any permission was the owner (of all things) (cp. Lk. 19:32‑35). He is indeed the Lord of all and sundry, whether they be men or spirits, thrones or dominions, principalities or powers (cons. Acts 10:36; Rom. 10:12; Eph. 1:20‑22; Col. 1:16‑18; 2:9,10; 1Pt. 3:22; Rev. 17:14).
Inference: It is imperative that all should submit to Him. Have you really submitted to Him as your Lord? Are you living your daily life in recognition that you have a LORD and Master you must live to please, and not just to please yourself (Matt. 6:24; Jn. 13:13; cp. Jn. 8:29; Rev. 4:11)? Men, spirits, principalities and power are subject to Him (Eph. 1:20‑22; Col. 2:9,10). His Lordship should be preached to all men irrespective of their personality, race, culture or creed.
(2) Christ: The King Of All (Matt. 21:5‑11)
While the ass/colt were brought, people spread their clothes on them, a great multitude spread their garments on the way and others brought leafy branches and also spread them on the way, and Jesus rode on the ass into Jerusalem. Multitudes followed shouting and singing Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He … (Matt. 21:5‑11). Hosanna is an Aramaic expression, meaning A save or A help now. They expected Christ as their king to save them from their enemies, although it was this same Jesus whose life they cried for just 5 days after (Matt. 27:21‑26).
Christ is the king, not only of the Jews, but of all nations (Ps. 22:28; Rev.17:14; 19:11‑16). He is that King whose kingdom shall not be destroyed; that stone hewed out of the mountain without hands which would destroy the other kingdoms (cp. Dan. 2:44,45).
Jewish kings were the captains who led the people in battle against their enemies (cp. 1Sam. 9:16; 10:1; 2Sam. 5:1‑3). With Jesus as our king and the captain of our salvation, we are sure to be led in victory over whatever kind of battle we might face in this Christian race; on our way from earth to heaven (Heb. 2:10). We should go ahead to announce Him everywhere as the king of all and sundry. And to fight without Him in this battle of life is to be destroyed.
Let=s rise to herald Him as our Lord and king, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Fellowship Songs: (HSCF 17)