SEE, YOUR KING COMES TO YOU

Matthew 21:1-22

Key Verses 21:4-5

⁴This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:  ⁵"Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"

Today’s passage teaches us about our King, Jesus. Jesus is our king. He is the Lord. But he is not like worldly kings and lords. He is righteous and gentle. He came to establish the kingdom of God and restore fallen man as children of God. The prophet said, “See, your king comes to you…” We want to see our King Jesus and learn of him more through this passage.

Where was Jesus going? (1) What instructions did Jesus give to two disciples? (1-2) What were they to say if they were questioned? (3) What can we learn about Jesus? What can we learn from the disciples’ example of obedience? (4-8)

** He was going to Jerusalem.

** See verses 1-2. At first glance, these instructions seem difficult to follow. 

** They were to say, “The Lord needs them.” 

** Jesus is the Lord and deserves our best and obedience.

** Verse 6 says that they obeyed as Jesus had instructed them. 1) Because of their obedience, they could participate in God’s way to bring Jesus into Jerusalem. 2) Because of their obedience, they could prepare the right environment as Jesus entered Jerusalem and many others could come to Jesus prepared. 3) Obedience means to do just as Jesus instructs. >>So, obedience means to do just as Jesus says, and it leads to doing the work of God and preparing a right environment for Jesus to be revealed to others. 

How did this event fulfill Scripture? (4-5) Why do you think the prophet was to tell the people: “See, your king comes to you…”? How is the king described? (5) Why is it important to see that Jesus is a “gentle” king?

** Jesus’ entrance was prophesied by the prophet Zechariah. See verses 4-5.

** He had to tell the people first to “see” their king coming to them. It means that God wanted them to look at their king and learn of him. It also means to be prepared for his coming. Second, he notes that the king was “coming to you.” They did not have to go to the king, but the king was coming to them. Jesus came to us first and brings healing. So we need to see him, look to him, learn of him, and prepare for him to come into our hearts and lives. 

** He is described as “gentle” and riding on a donkey and colt.

** It is important to see that Jesus is a “gentle” king, for it means that he is easily approachable and accessible to all who will to receive him. 

>The title “king” can generate a lot of terror in peoples hearts. Most kings and worldly rulers or leaders make intimidating and almost violent entrances to demonstrate their power and authority. They are distanced from the people by heavily armed security. But Jesus is different. Knowing his gentleness is importance for us to come to him, abide in him, and accept his leadership. We can come to know that he came to carry our burdens in humility. We can identify with this king. We can be nurtured by this gentle king. And we NEED to learn of him.

How did the people respond? (8-9) What do the palms and the cloaks on the roads represent (Lev 23:40, 2 Ki 9:13)? What is the meaning of what the crowd shouted: 1) “Hosanna”, 2) “Son of David” (Mat 22:41-42), and 3) “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Psa 118:26)? What kind of king do you think the people were expecting? 

** See verses 8-9.

** It was like rolling out the red carpet for Jesus, showing his identity as the king and winning a victory. 

** 1) “Hosanna”: Means “Save!” Or “Save us!”, but traditionally came to be a shout of praise. 

2) “Son of David” refers to the Christ, the promised Messiah and King. 

3) “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”: comes from Psalm 118, a psalm of thanks and praise for God’s victory of salvation for his people. 

**Even though the people said all the right words about Jesus now, they would quickly denounce him and betray him when he was before Pilate, showing that they had other expectations, such as being saved from Rome and having an earthly kingdom of Israel again. But it stands that what they said here is accurate about Jesus and deserving praise to him.

What did Jesus say would happen to him in Jerusalem? (Mat 20:17-19) What does this show about the real victory Jesus went to Jerusalem to secure for his people as their king? 

** See Matthew 20:17-19. Since chapter 16, Jesus had been teaching his disciples that he had to suffer, die, and rise from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures. Now he was entering Jerusalem for that purpose. 

** Kings provided security for their people. Jesus provided the ultimate security through his sufferings and resurrection, for he secured eternal life for all who believe in him.  He secured the victory over sin and death.

What did Jesus do after arriving in Jerusalem? (12) Why? (13) What does this show about: 1) Jesus, and 2) What he came to do? What does God’s “house” refer to? (13a, Heb 3:6, 1 Cor 6:19)? How can each believer be a “house of prayer”? 

** He went to the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there (12).

** He says in verse 13, “’It is written,’ he said, ‘”My house will be called a house of prayer,” but you are making it a “den of robbers.”’”

** 1) Jesus was faithful over God’s house as the Son of God. He is righteousness and does not compromise God’s purpose for his children. 2) He came to bring righteousness and restore us as children of God to serve the purpose God has for us, that is, to be a ‘house of prayer’ for all nations, to serve the will of God. He does this through cleansing us by his word and calling us to serve him. This reminds us Malachi 3:3: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.”

** It referred to the temple in Jerusalem, but the temple was jus a shadow of the true temple, which is Jesus’ body. 

Hebrews 3:6: But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

1 Corinthians 6:19: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

John 2:21: But the temple he had spoken of was his body.

** By driving out all of the buying and selling in our hearts, being cleansed by Jesus’ word, repenting, and praying for all nations. 

What else did Jesus do at the temple? (14)? What does this show about him? How did the religious leaders respond to all the things they saw and heard? (15-16) What was Jesus’ reply to them? (16) What does this further show about Jesus?

** He healed the blind and the lame that came to him.

** Because he is gentle, they felt welcomed to come to Jesus. The healing further shows his purpose in coming to restore us as God’s children and bring true healing. 

** They saw “wonderful” things, but they responded by being “indignant” and then questioning Jesus about what the children were saying.

** Yes, he did hear the children, and they had the right response. But the chief priests and teachers of the law did not. 

** Jesus is worthy of praise. Let’s pray that our children may have praise to Jesus coming out of their mouths!

What happened early the next morning? (18-19) Why were the disciples amazed? What did Jesus tell them? (21-22) What does this truth encourage us to do? Why is that we can pray with such faith and confidence? 

** See 18-19.

** They asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”  

** Verses 21-22:  ²¹Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. ²²If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

A fig tree withering and a mountain getting up and throwing itself into the sea are not comparable. Jesus started talking about a fig tree, then moved immediately to say that they could move a mountain! How do you think the disciples felt when they were already amazed at just the fig tree withering? But to Jesus it was the same because of faith and prayer. 

** It encourages us to pray with absolute faith and not doubt! There is no other option, if we accept this word. 

** We can pray like this because we know that Jesus won the victory for us and called us to pray for the Lord’s prayer topics. Let’s boldly pray for the task he has given us. In Jesus we are raised up from fallen men, to children and servants of God with great influence in this world by the power of prayer and faith in Jesus. It is truly God’s grace to us. What a great privilege we have in this life. 

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