LUKE 19:28-48 THE PEOPLE WERE VERY ATTENTIVE The ascent from Jericho to Jerusalem, the imagery is that of the King coming to claim the kingdom, and as far as the great company of disciples, that was what was going to happen. Their hopes were based on prophetic scriptures that refer to Israel returning to its past glory among the nations. Many then, the same as now, did not realize something greater was happening. The foundation was being laid of a kingdom that would encompass the earth and that would never end. Those people were concerned only with the fact the Lord entering on a colt indicated the intentional fulfilling of Zechariah 9:9. He was publicly announcing the fact He was the Messiah. He chose a time when there would be Jews from Judea gathered together, Galileans there who had followed Him and strangers from many parts of the middle east who would have come for the Passover. The place of His declaration was where all the people could see Him as He entered the city. The way He proclaimed His mission was the fulfillment of a well-known prophecy. The people thought He "would at this time restore the kingdom to Israel."
The Romans probably looked on without too much concern because there were no armed men surrounding the Lord. The rulers watched from a separated position, fearful lest the Roman soldiers would come on them with force. The people were filled with contagious joy because the miracle working Jesus was now coming into the city after months of gathering huge crowds on His way "up to Jerusalem" from Galilee. It is always wise for us to make sure our understanding of events happening in the world today are looked at through a biblical perspective. It is true we are living in "perilous times." It is true "evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse." it is true people are "lovers of themselves," "lovers of money," and all descriptions given concerning the "last days" can be identified as happening now. But it is not in our power to give dates and times when the plans of God will unfold. Far too many mistakes have been made by followers of those who thought and taught that "at this time" some special event prophesied would happen. We do well to remember that coming events cast shadows, but only God Himself has the timetable.
Three successive days the Lord entered Jerusalem from the way of the Mount of Olives. One day He entered the temple, looked around and left. The next day He entered riding on the colt to the cheers and praises of the people. On this occasion there were clothes and branches of trees spread before Him as He rode into the city as a triumphant King. We are not always able to discern the full extent of what God is doing when we seek to follow and serve Him because "His ways are past finding out." Our responsibility is to act on what is appropriate for the moment to the best of our ability. The Lord Jesus could look ahead and see everything that was going to happen and grieved over what He saw. The tears of the Savior were real even though those around could not understand all that was involved.
As the Priest, the Lord Jesus went into the temple on that busy day of profiteering and covetous money making and drove them out. He knew what was happening and gave no quarter as He fulfilled the scriptures. They had made the temple "a den of thieves." He again cleansed the temple He called the "Father's house." It is important for us to do God's work in a way that pleases God - not with the profit-and- loss mind-set of a business. It is possible for us to use the things of God. The sin-polluted works of covetous people have no place among the people of God. To charge people for what God freely gives has deceived many into thinking they have some merit in their own works.
The people who followed the Lord that last week were hanging on every word He said. They must have been expecting some signal to be given that would have produced the miraculous overthrow of Rome. We need to maintain what God has given us to do and leave all the results to Him to be accomplished. "Our times are in His hands." His words were the warning words He spoke as the Prophet when He taught the people in the temple.
As the King, the Savior moved regally into David's royal city. Looking over that privileged place, tears ran down His face in pity. He could see beyond the walls, the buildings and the temple - To the day to come when every person there would be in fear, and tremble. As death approached, He saw beyond to those who Him rejected - Not wanting Him to personally reign over them who grace neglected Until there was no hope and their Roman enemies drew near. The city would fall in ruins - the place He was rejected when He was here.
As the Priest He entered the temple and saw the desecration. They were dealing in business in the place intended for consecration. The Father's house on earth needs tending, not to deteriorate. To carelessly ignore the purpose of God is to seal one's awful fate. Instead of worship there was business, instead of worship there was greed. Instead of the fear of God on all who entered, to holy things they gave no heed. In driving them out, as the Priest, He again defined the purpose of that place. The intention was it was for a place of prayer, where God can reveal His grace.
As the Prophet, He taught the scriptures daily to those who came to hear. The truths He spoke of included those of warnings of danger drawing near. Day after day He came back to speak, this opportunity was the last. A week later those who had rejected Him, their day of blessing had passed. We never should ignore the lessons learned from the Prophet, the Priest and King. These are the words of truth and righteousness that hope to listeners bring. One is wise to pay attention when the voice of God has spoken. The final outcome will be eternal life when self-will of a man is broken.
"Heavenly Father, the fulfillment of scriptural truths in the past assure me today they will be fulfilled in Thy good time. I look for the Lord to come - I really do. When that time comes, may Thy servant be profitably involved in Thy work. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."