Encouragement From the Triumphal Entry of Jesus

One of the most exciting moments of a sporting event is at the beginning of the game—the triumphal entry of the home team. For example, the opening of the Chicago Bulls games of the 1990s never failed to give me goosebumps. Hear the theme song blaring in the pitch dark stadium. The spotlight glares on each player as they stride into the United Center. The announcer bellows “from Noooorth Caaarolina, at guard 6’6″…Michael Jordan!” And the rollicking crowds whoop for their hero, one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Yet the most significant triumphal entry in history was over two thousand years ago when Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, and the crowd shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” John 12:13 (ESV).

How does the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem one week prior to His crucifixion encourage us?

Volatility of the world

I originally published this post during Easter week 2020. The world events were spinning out of control after the declaration of an unprecedented world pandemic of COVID-19 by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. (Are you tired of the word “unprecedented” like I am?)

Now it’s 2023, and I wonder, is the pandemic over? On May 11, 2023, the US public health emergency will expire. However, the World Health Organization still considers COVID-19 a global health emergency.

People continue to be hospitalized and die from the disease, especially those over 65 years old. Long haul COVID affects many people of all ages and there is no known cure.

We continue to feel the effects of the pandemic. Isolation, depression, and anxiety run rampant. Schools are struggling to recover from the lost learning of students and teacher burnout. And who can ignore the strife of racial discrimination, political bickering, increased gun violence and more?

So, the world is still spinning out of control, even though the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us.

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

Why does the triumphal entry of Jesus encourage us? Because Jesus chose to transform from the celebrated King to the crucified criminal in less than a week. He heard the crowd shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David” and a few days later, “Crucify Him.”

What evidence proves Jesus knew what was going to happen?

First, Jesus revealed His foreknowledge of events by calling Himself the Son of Man and predicting His death a third time before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  

The Bible says, “Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. ‘We are going up to Jerusalem,’ he said, ‘and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise’” (Mark 10:32-34 NIV).

Second, Jesus deliberately provoked events to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy of the long-awaited Messiah. Scripture states, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9 NIV).

The Gospels recorded only this one time when Jesus rode instead of walked. By riding the donkey into Jerusalem, Jesus made it unmistakable that He was the King the Jews were anxiously expecting to reestablish the throne of David.

God is unchanging

The events of His triumphal entry, arrest, extreme punishment, death, burial, and resurrection did not catch Jesus by surprise. This provides an amazing sense of comfort, peace, and courage in these volatile times.

We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, let alone next week or next month. Nonetheless, dear reader, be encouraged that God knows. The pandemic of the coronavirus did not surprise God. In fact, nothing happens that is not in God’s plan.

Everything else changes, but God remains the same.

God is our anchor, our fortress and our rock, while everything is changing and falling apart around us. As the psalmist wrote, “But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge” (Psalm 94:22).

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus! Your triumphal entry, arrest, crucifixion, and burial were not the end. We have the joy of the empty tomb. Jesus is alive! You gave Your life for us, for the forgiveness of our sins, to reconcile us with God. Father God, thank you for being our comforter, provider, rock and refuge during this storm we are in. When everything else is changing, You stay the same forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.