“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

New King James Version                          Written by: David Hicks

 

Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

“Articles of Faith"

An Orderly Account Of The Greatest Story Ever Told

(A Study in Luke)

Chapter 19:28-40:

In our last lesson we discussed a parable that described the attitude of the children of Israel towards Jesus being the Messiah. This lesson included both the result of servants who would be diligent and those who would completely forsake the King they did not want. It seemed an appropriate lesson right before the Lord would enter Jerusalem to the closing events that would lead to His death and victory.

Since all cultures had there own perception of a victorious king entering a capital city in triumph, the account of the Lord's entering Jerusalem is recorded in every Gospel. In addition, each account records the fulfillment of prophecy concerning this event. This shows that any other notion developed concerning this day was not the intent of God but of men.

Text #1:

Luke 19:28-34 “When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem . 29 And it came to pass, when He came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, 'Because the Lord has need of it.' " 32 So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. 33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?" 34 And they said, "The Lord has need of him."

See also: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-19.

Bethphage: The name for this village on the road going from Jerusalem to Jericho, meant; ‘The house of ripe figs'.

Bethany: This village beyond the Jordan where John the Baptist did much of His work (John 1:29), is also known as Bethabara. Its exact location in unknown and its name was very similar to Bethphage; which was ‘The house of ripe dates or figs'.

Mt. of Olivet: Also known as the Mount of Olives; this mount was named for the olive groves that blanketed it. It was the highest of the hills east of Jerusalem and at the western slope above the brook Kidron is the site of the garden of Gethsemane.

Two Disciples: The Lord commands two of His disciples to go ahead of Him into the village opposite them (believed to be Bethphage – Matthew 21:1), for appropriate transportation for His entrance to Jerusalem.

A Colt: In Matthew's account, we see that this is a colt of a donkey or ass. It is believed to be an Abyssinian ass, which was a sure footed beast of burden. This beast was held in high esteem. King David's mule was used at the coronation of Solomon (1 Kings 1:33). It is specifically stated by the Lord that no man has ever sat on it. This is not a coincidence; for if any man had sat on it, it would not be suitable for sacred purposes (Numbers 19:2; Deuteronomy 21:3; 1 Samuel 6:7 – after the pattern of other beasts of burden).

As the disciples appropriated the animal for the Lord, the owners questioned their actions and they responded just as the Lord had instructed them. This was sufficient for the owners and the animal was brought to the Lord.

Text #2:

Luke 19:35-37 “Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. 36 And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. 37 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen,”

They sat Jesus on Him: This is the only recorded account of the Lord riding instead of walking. It also is not a coincidence, as this would be for the fulfillment of prophecy.

Zechariah 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The Lord is going to enter in meekness, for the ass was a symbol of peace; just as the horse was a symbol of war (Job 39:18-21). It was however, a chief asset to the people who used these beasts of burden and it was not degrading to use them.

Many Spread Their Clothes: This was done first on the ass, as it would not have a saddle. They used their own outer garments to saddle the animal and to give royal honor to Jesus (in 2 Kings 9:13 – clothes were thrown on the stairs below Jehu at his enthronement).

In addition to honoring Jesus with their clothes on the ass, they also threw their clothes on the road as He went. In the other three accounts of this event, many additionally threw tree branches on the road in front of Him as He went (specifically Palm tree branches – John 12:13). The palm branches are emblematic of triumph and victory (Leviticus 23:40; Revelation 7:9).

As they did these things to honor the Lord, they cried out:

Text #3:

Luke 19:38 “saying:"'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

This is a quote from the 118 th Psalm, which is Messianic (speaking of the Messiah – Psalms 118:26). This is the Psalm that speaks of the Messiah as the Chief Cornerstone of the coming kingdom, but rejected by the master builders. Even in the rejection the Psalm describes His victory; these are all events about to reach fruition shortly. Note the other accounts of this praise given Jesus:

Matthew 21:9 "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! ' Hosanna in the highest!"

Mark 11:9-10 "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' 10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

John 12:13 "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' The King of Israel!"

Hosanna: This term was originally a prayer and the term means, “save now”; It would develop into a form of praise by the time the Lord would come, note:

Psalm 118:25 “Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.”

In Matthew's account (Matthew 21:5), the term daughter of Zion is used. This is a poetic designation for Jerusalem . This has its significance in the destination of the Lord at this time and also goes back to the prophecy of Zechariah, which would additionally be shared by Isaiah, note:

Isaiah 62:11 “Indeed the Lord has proclaimed To the end of the world: "Say to the daughter of Zion , 'Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.'"

Text #4:

Luke 19:39-40 “And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." 40 But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."

In the concluding thoughts of Luke's account of the Lord's entry to Jerusalem , we need to note a few more things along with what Luke has to say.

First, John's account states that the disciples did not understand these events until Jesus was glorified – John 12:16 (which took place at His coronation – Acts 2:36).

Second, many of those who were in the multitudes had been witness to the resurrection of Lazarus – John 11:38-44 . John states this for the reason that they had come out to see Jesus enter – John 12:17-18.

Here in Luke's account, the Pharisees are incensed at the reception the Lord has received. They demand that the Lord rebuke His disciples; however, the Lord gave a proverbial response indicating that God has already made this day what it was and they would witness the stones crying out as well if anyone tried to stop it.

In John's account, we have some insight to the hearts of the Pharisees and establishes as fact that they universally were working only to discredit Him, note:

John 12:19 “The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"

See also: John 11:48.

Summary:

Three things jump out in this episode of Jesus being King for a day:

•  The disciples were obedient to Him, even though they did not understand all that He had given them or the significance of these events.

•  The disciples and the multitude honored Him as King, even though He rode on a donkey and did not enter Jerusalem on a great white horse and a flaming sword.

•  The city was moved (Matthew 21:10), some stating that He was a prophet from Nazareth of Galilee; and some rejecting and rebuking Him for this very scene.

These have been universal responses to the work of the Lord. The true disciples heeding the words of the Lord, many following Him for the miracles He has performed, and the rejection of the religious leaders because of the threat He posed to their authority.

However, the primary point of this episode is the fulfillment of prophecy, which speaks of Jesus as the Messiah of prophecy.

Next: “Jerusalem and the Temple”