While there is some debate regarding the timeline of Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem, our focus is not on the specifics of his entry into Bethany or Jerusalem. Instead, let’s begin with the Old Testament. Long ago, the prophet Zechariah, in 9:1-8, envisioned the day or the time when the Messiah would come to rule in peace over the nation. In 9:9 the prophet writes, “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.”
In Matthew 21:5, we see that this event occurred, “to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet saying …,” then he cites Zechariah 9:9. The crowds shouted, “Hosanna … blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matt 21:9). This expression also quotes Psalm 118:25–26: “Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord, we bless you.” This Psalm will be cited twice more by the Lord Jesus in the next two days (Matt 21:42; 23:39) and again after the Last Supper (Mark 14:26).
The next day, the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. They took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
In this moment, Jesus is presented as the Messiah: a humble and righteous king who brings salvation.
Some religious leaders, particularly the Sadducees, had previously already made up their minds about him (John 11:47–53, 57). Jesus knew he would be rejected and not accepted as the Messiah. Through his weeping eyes, Luke 19:41–42 records his words, “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.’
Our Lord was welcomed as the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy. As He received their praises, He wept over Jerusalem because its leaders did not praise or welcome Him. While we understand what Jesus knew about that day, what about those who were present? If bystanders had been interviewed, what comments might they have made?
We should examine our response to the presentation of our Lord. Do we welcome Him with praise and belief? We should also consider those around us who respond with unbelief. May God use us to point people to Him, so they can embrace him in praise and belief.