Was It a Triumphal Entry?

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey colt, it would look like a triumphal entry based upon all the pageantry that went on. Yet, this question in the title of this post is somewhat of a tricky question, as it requires one to know from whose perspective one is looking.

From Jesus’ perspective, he accomplished exactly what he wanted to have accomplished. Yet, for the disciples and the people’s point of view, the prophecy of the event was not fully realized in their eyes as they had expected. And, for the Pharisees and Jewish leaders, they considered the event an absolute debacle.

Maybe getting some additional background would be helpful at this point. The current time is early Spring. Back in the winter, Jesus was teaching at the temple in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication (which today is called Hannukah). He claimed his divinity, and this angered the Jewish leaders so much that they actually tried to have Jesus stoned right then and there. Jesus escapes and heads to Bethany across the Jordan River with his disciples (this town is also known as Bethabara to distinguish it from the Bethany at the base of the Mount of Olives). This is also the place where John the Baptist taught and baptized, as well as the place where Jesus received the message that his friend Lazarus had died.

Jesus remained in this area for four additional days and then headed back across the Jordan River to Bethany with his disciples and raised Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:38-44). As a result of this, many flock to Bethany to see Lazarus and hear his testimony. The Jewish leaders now want to kill both Jesus and Lazarus because many were now believing in Jesus because of Lazarus’ account of how Jesus brought him back to life (Jn 12:10).

Jesus and his disciples travel up to Ephraim, north of Jerusalem but still within Judea, to be away from all the commotion (Jn 11:54). They remain here until early Spring when Jesus decides to travel throughout Perea and then recrosses the Jordan River into Jericho where he performs several miracles. From there, he and his disciples once again enter Bethany and the home of Lazarus six days before Passover (Jn 12:1). Yet, there is an almost tangible buzz among all the people of the area wondering if Jesus will come back to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. Some want to see Jesus do more miracles, some want to see the sparks fly between Jesus and the Pharisees, and others want to hear Jesus speak to them again as they know his words are truth and so much different from how their Jewish leaders speak. Because of all of this, there were likely more in attendance for this Passover than previous ones.

Next time, we’ll go over the actual events that occurred on the day Christ enters Jerusalem. Please join us.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens