[11] And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
(Mark 11:1-11 ESV)
People laying down cloaks and palm leaves.
This is the triumphal entry of Jesus.
This is often see as the highlight of Jesus' ministry.
It has after been in the making for a long time. He and his disciples had slowly been making their way to Jerusalem. Jesus had told them frequently that he would be given into the hands of his enemies. But they just didn't get it.
Blind Bartimaeus saw Jesus more clearly, calling him the son of God. See Mark 10.
So many people were in Jerusalem at this time because it was passover and frequently a time when people would anticipate a rebellion or revolt against the Romans. So they were waiting for him.
The donkey colt shows much about Jesus.
1. He knows more than others do
2. He commands what he has need of
3. The donkey colt could be used by him...a colt that had never been ridden.
4. He made it clear who he is. He fulfilled scripture about riding on a donkey.
Before this Jesus told people not to say who he was. Be silent. Show the priests you are healed.
But now Jesus shows that he is the promised King. He boldly proclaims it.
That's why people did what they did. They were honouring him as King.
They expected him to drive out the Romans and reestablish as Israel as a kingdom.
But what Jesus did was call attention to himself for what would happen by the end of the week. Jesus was the talk of the town.
They expected him to do something great in the temple, but all he did was look around and retire quietly to Bethany.
Mark shows us that even while people praised Jesus they were blind to who Jesus really was. How they really had never had a clue.
They had their own thoughts about who he was and what he should do.
Numbers are not truth, enthusiasm is not truth.
The truth is found in the cross.