Bound by Scripture

Why did Jesus enter Jerusalem in the way He did on Palm Sunday? The explanations put forth by preachers have been varied. The most common one I can think of is the idea that Jesus was making a public offer of Himself as King to the people of Jerusalem. This was a last attempt at showing grace for the people to change their minds.

However, Mark 10:32–34 informs us that Jesus had already foretold his death, even as they were going up to Jerusalem. He knew that He would be delivered over to be killed by the religious authorities. Jesus made the trip to Jerusalem to die.

Everything that Jesus did during His life on earth was to fulfill Scripture. Even the manner in which He was to enter Jerusalem for His death. The Scripture being fulfilled here is from Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Jesus was the only person who could ever fit that description of a righteous and humble king.

Indeed, the people of Jerusalem did rejoice, bearing witness of Lazarus being raised from the dead (John 12:17). In their joy, they partook in the fulfillment of Scripture by crying out Psalm 118:25–26. They had high hopes that Jesus would wield His power to take His place as the King of Israel. But that opportunity had passed long ago (Matt. 4:17) and Jesus was set on His path to obey His Father’s will.

Some believe that Jesus entered Jerusalem on the same day when thousands of Passover lambs were driven up to Jerusalem. The timing is intentional for He is the ultimate Passover lamb. When He was killed at the same time as those lambs, He shed the blood that the angel of death will pass over for all who place their trust in Him (Exodus 12:23).

Do you want to trust Jesus as your Passover lamb? Then confess to the words of Isaiah 53:5–6, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Dn. Mervin Lin