The Triumphant Entry of Jesus Into Jerusalem

The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem occurred in the concluding days of His earthly ministry. This event is recorded in Matthew 21:1-11. Jesus and His disciples were accompanied by great crowds as they passed through Jericho on their way to Jerusalem.

During this journey, Jesus performed several miracles, including healing the blind beggar who sat by the roadside, granting salvation to Zacchaeus, who climbed a sycamore tree to see Him, and raising Lazarus from the dead.

As they approached Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of His disciples into the small town of Bethphage, near Bethany, to get a donkey and a colt. He instructed them that if the owners questioned them, they were to say, "The Master has need of them" (Matthew 21:2-3).

When the disciples returned with the two animals, Jesus chose to ride the colt—one that had never been ridden before. The disciples spread their garments on the colt, and Jesus sat upon it as they moved toward Jerusalem. As He approached the city, a massive crowd followed Him.

They proclaimed Him as King, and some laid their garments on the road in front of Him. Others spread layers of palm branches, which is why the occasion is often referred to as "Palm Sunday." The multitude was filled with joy, rejoicing and praising God with loud voices, shouting:

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

Yet, in the midst of this great celebration, Jesus' heart was heavy. As He looked over the city of Jerusalem, He foresaw the terrible destruction that awaited it due to its rejection of Him. He lamented, saying that He would have gathered them as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but they refused Him.

Jesus prophesied that a day would come when Jerusalem would be leveled to the ground, with not one stone left upon another. This prophecy was fulfilled in A.D. 70, when the Roman general Titus besieged Jerusalem and left it in ruins.

The suffering of the Jews at that time was unimaginable. The Romans did not have enough crosses to crucify all the prisoners, so they resorted to crucifying multiple people on a single cross.

Thank you for reading. God bless you!