Holy Week
Matthew 21:1-5 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ “
My heart is exceedingly heavy this week. My heart begs for you to grasp the weight of what this holy week represents. We have become so tied up in Spring Breaks, vacations, basketball, and countless other distractions, we miss the gravity of this week that represents all that we claim in Christianity; Satan smiles for he knows our eyes are not on Christ. All of Israel used to stop what they were doing for this week of the Passover celebration; the celebration of God delivering them out of slavery. This passover week has become our celebration of our delivery from the punishment of sin for eternity, yet it seemingly passes into commercialism and we move on with our plans. We have lost all respect for the week that represents more than Christmas; this is the week we celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection; the reason He came to earth as a man on Christmas morning; the fulfilling of His purpose to justify you before God.
Christ rode into Jerusalem on a colt to fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah and Zechariah. These prophecies were known to the Jews, and therefore it was recognized that he was their Messiah riding into their town. Everything Christ did was to fulfill prophecy throughout the Bible, and all that he has spoken regarding prophecy to come will be fulfilled also. Christ points to His omniscience in knowing where the colt was, and the reply of its owner. He cares for the beasts just as he cares for you. Matthew10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Christ was riding into Jerusalem in triumph, for he knew his fathers will for him to overcome Satan’s power of sin for eternity. This is his only triumphal entry in his life, and it is when he is preparing for his death.
An eternal king rode into an earthly kingdom, to present a holy sacrifice to pay for sin for those that hated him. He would allow himself to be mocked, beaten, spat upon, and sacrificed by those he loved so much to die for. He was their creator, sustainer, and justifier all in one person. He was fully God and fully man, and He now has arisen and sits at the right hand of God on the throne. He came, He died, He arose, He ascended, He is coming back. This week should stir your soul; it should move you to a thanksgiving and a repentant heart, a heart that grasps the understanding of this week 2000 years ago. Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”