The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was prophesied several years before it happened. The essence of this entry into Jerusalem is to save mankind and grant him success (Psalm 118:25-27). Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. The Lord has made the light (which is Jesus) to shine on us.
Zechariah prophesied the coming of Jesus. The people of Zion were to rejoice greatly while those of Jerusalem were to shout with joy because their long awaited King was coming. The coming king will be gentle and just with salvation for Zion. He will come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey and on a colt which is the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). The prophecy of Zechariah was fulfilled In Matthew 21:1-11. Jesus goes into Jerusalem as King on Palm Sunday. As they approached Jerusalem, they came to the village called Bethphage which is on Mount Olives. Jesus sent two of his disciples to go ahead of them to the next village. They will immediately see a donkey tied up with its colt next to her. They were to untie the donkey and bring it with its colt to him. If anyone asked why they did that they should say the lord needed them and they will allow them to take them away. When they brought the donkey and colt they placed cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. Many spread their cloaks on the road for Jesus to walk on. Others cut palm fronds and spread them on the road for Jesus. The large crowd following Jesus shouted “Hosanna to the son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up and people asked who is he? The crowd answered that this is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.
What triumphal victory was Jesus celebrating when he was going to Jerusalem? He was already celebrating his victory over death and the salvation he would bring to mankind. Why did a lot of crowd follow Jesus to Jerusalem? The answer is not far-fetched. Nine months prior to his triumphal entry to Jerusalem he was all the time performing miracles. He raised Lazarus from the dead few days before the Palm Sunday (John 11:1-44). This explains why the crowd sought for Jesus on Palm Sunday. Jesus became very popular to the crowd because of his miracles and they believed in him. They sung “hosanna” which means in Hebrew “Save us”. They followed him knowing that he is the son of God who will bring salvation to them. The Sanhedrin wanted Jesus dead because people believed in him. Unfortunately, those same people who said Hosanna to him turned six days later to say “crucify him”.
