From Matthew 21:1-11 / The Humble King

Note first: This word “Fulfill” in vs. 4 – This is now the 10th time (at least) Matthew has pointed out how some event in Jesus’ life was the fulfillment of a specific Old Testament prophecy. J.C. Ryle notes rightly that as we see prophecy fulfilled in this way so precisely and literally, so we should anticipate His second coming will be the same.

Many over the years have turned Jesus’ 2nd coming into some sort of spiritualized non-coming. One need only recall the repeated failed prophecies of the Jehovah’s Witnesses for instance. In their failed predictions, they had to fall back on invisible, spiritual returns. Harold Camping’s failed predictions required him to do the same. Ann Lee of the Quakers said she was the new manifestation of Christ. Sun Myung Moon was regarded by his followers as Jesus returned. The list goes on and on, because men will not believe Jesus’ own teaching on His return, and how it must be literally fulfilled even as His triumphal entry was this first “Palm Sunday”.

We have every reason to believe, as demonstrated here what was recorded in Acts 1:6-11 – “So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

And then, we have Jesus’ own teaching in Matt. 24: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

Do not be deceived or discouraged Christian – He WILL come as He said.

Note second: How Jesus endured a very great temptation here. With such an incredible throng, singing His praises and wanting to make Him King right then and there, it would have pressed upon His soul to take up His crown before and without the Cross. But not our Jesus. He knew His reward lay the other side of the Cross, not this side of it. He refused the temptation knowing full well the horrors that lay just before Him.

Here is a replay of His temptation in the wilderness. And how He overcomes once again. For you and me.

He was never swayed either by the accolades nor the disparagement of men. His food, was to do the Father’s will. And to save us in the doing.

What a Savior.