GROUP GUIDE: LUKE 19:28-44

What we have before us in this passage is the triumphal entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. He is now literally days away from completing his mission on earth of atoning for the sins of his people by his death on the cross.

Before he enters the city, he sends two of his disciples ahead of him to get a colt for him to ride on. Matthew tells us it was the colt of a donkey. Jesus therefore would be fulfilling a 500 year old prophecy from Zacharia 9:9 that said, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey”.

Two things should be noticed here. First, Jesus is absolutely in charge of everything that is taking place. The day, the time, the place, even the donkey has been preplanned from time eternity. The triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were now executing a plan that was determined before the foundation of the world. Make no doubt about it, Jesus was King and He alone was in charge. The moment was so significant that when the people were crying out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord”, and the Pharisees told Jesus to make his disciples be quiet, Jesus responded by saying that if they should remain silent, then the very rocks would cry out. All was happening according to plan. The sovereign King of Kings was entering the city.

But a second thing should also be noted. Jesus is King and he is not modest about it, but he is a different kind of king; he is a servant king. He comes not riding on a war horse but a donkey, and a colt at that. His mount signifies his lowliness or his servanthood. How amazing is it that Jesus not only comes to save His people, but to serve them. How amazing it is to realize that even today, he is meek and lowly and cares, and provides, and leads, and serves the citizens of His Kingdom. However, we should realize that all who reject Him as King, miss out on His service. Failure to submit to our servant King, is to forfeit his blessings. Unfortunately, many people want the blessings of Jesus without bowing to Jesus. Jesus refuses such.

Finally, we see a sorrowful King. As Jesu enters Jerusalem he weeps over the spiritual condition of the people.He weeps over the souls of men and women who will continue to reject Him as the Messiah. He weeps because He sees and knows their stated end. Jerusalem will be destroyed. The Temple will be destroyed and the population slaughtered. The people refused to see the peace that Jesus offered with God and within. Instead, they simply desired a change in external circumstance and in short, this broke the heart of Jesus our King. Our King Jesus does not delight in the destruction of wicked men. In fact, it grieves Him. However, it also should be noted that His grief does not negate His justice. To reject Jesus as King ultimately results in divine wrath. The soul that sins shall surely dies. While our King is full of grace he is also full of truth.