July 23, 2011
Jesus and the Psalms
Part Three
The Coming of Jesus and The Psalms
Matthew 21:9
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Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets spoke about the coming Messiah. The people of Israel expected that the Messiah would come as their King and Warrior. He would establish His physical kingdom on earth, and drive out the Romans and other enemies. After Jesus performed many miracles, and particularly after He raised Lazarus from the dead, the people hailed His entrance into Jerusalem as He neared the crucifixion. Today we will look at the people who blessed Jesus as He entered Jerusalem sitting on a colt.
The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat of the coats. Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road.
Matthew 21:6-8
Jesus the King Enters Jerusalem. In Matthew 21:6-7, we read that Jesus entered Jerusalem sitting on the colt, just as Zechariah prophesied (Zechariah 9:9). The people prepared the way by laying their coats on the ground and cutting branches from the trees. They were thinking that someone special was coming to town, and His name was Jesus.
The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!’
Matthew 21:9
Hosanna to the Son of David. God promised David that David would never lack a man to sit upon the throne of Judah until Christ came (2 Samuel 7:16; Matthew 22:41-45). He also promised that Messiah would come through the lineage of David (Mark 12:35-37; Luke 1:32; Luke 2:4). As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the people were shouting (“ἔκραζον“): “Hosanna to the Son of David.” This term Hosanna (“הושע נא“) comes from an Aramaic phrase, meaning “Save, I pray” and in this context also carries with it an attitude of joyful praise.
BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. This quotation in Matthew 21:9 comes from Psalm 118:26. In the context of Psalm 118:26, we read there that Messiah would come to save His people, and bring prosperity to them. He would bring light and lovingkindness to the people of Israel. We can easily understand how the crowds believed they were witnessing a great prophet entering the city, and they hoped He would bring them the prosperity and salvation from Roman occupation that they earnestly sought. Jesus actually came to offer them eternal life, if they would live in spiritual obedience to Him by faith alone. They thought Jesus was a powerful prophet, but they did not understand that God in the flesh dwelt among them (Matthew 21:10-11).
So we learn more about Jesus and the Psalms today.
● As Jesus entered Jerusalem sitting on a colt, the people shouted Hosanna, meaning “Save, we pray!” with the sense of great praise.
● The Jews looked for a messiah who would restore the physical kingdom of Israel, and they were very impressed with the miracles of Jesus.
● Jesus came in the name of the LORD, as the spiritual Savior of Israel, who would take away their sins, if they would receive Him by faith. Even today, Jesus will become your King and Savior, by faith alone, if you will receive Him into your heart, and believe He died on the cross for you.
Application for Today
As I live today, I will remember Jesus sitting on the colt, with the crowds shouting: “Hosanna in the highest!” I will remember Jesus came in the name of the LORD, just to save you and me, by faith alone. Will you be praising Jesus today as you think about Him and in your mind hear the crowds cheering and shouting about the One who came in the name of the LORD?
