The Lamb of God
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.
If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away. This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’"
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"
Matthew 21:1-9
Many of us are familiar with the Palm Sunday account when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.
According to Matthew 21:1, Jesus began his ride in Bethphage, a town directly to the east of Jerusalem on the other side of the Mount of Olives.
As Jesus approached the city, He was met by a crowd of people who started throwing down their coats and branches while shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
"Hosanna" was a joyful, hope-filled Aramaic exclamation of praise for deliverance granted or anticipated. Literally it meant, "God, save us."
When the people saw Jesus riding on the back of a donkey, this expression came readily to their lips. They believed that Jesus, as an earthly king, would help them free themselves from the tyranny of Rome. Little did they know that…
God was up to something far bigger.
Let me give you some background.
Jerusalem was always a bustling city, but on this particular day the crowds were even larger because it was Passover – one of the most sacred celebrations of the year.
The original Passover this feast commemorated had taken place centuries earlier when the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt.
God poured out his judgment on the Egyptians by sending a death angel throughout the kingdom. Yet, he promised that He would “pass over” those homes that had their door marked with the blood of a lamb. The lamb’s sacrifice would suffice for those who, by faith, trusted in it.
The Lord commanded that this tradition be continued as a permanent reminder of the deliverance He won for them and His offer of forgiveness to any who would receive it.
He also gave specific instructions they were to follow.
Five days prior to Passover, every Jewish family was required to choose a lamb. This was known as “Lamb Selection Day.”
In order that families could comply with the instructions from Exodus 12:3, the lambs were chosen at the end of the day on the 9th day of the first month. The lambs would then live with the family from the 10th (Exodus 12:6) through the 14th – when they would be slain.
This lamb had to be without defect (Exodus 12:5) – an innocent sacrifice – for it would take the sins of the family upon itself.
On top of that, by the time of Jesus, a group of religious leaders called the Sadducees made it a requirement that only lambs from Bethlehem were considered eligible to serve as Passover lambs.
Can you see the symbolism yet?
The day Jesus came riding into the city to the cheers and praises of the crowds was Lamb Selection Day. At the very moment families were choosing their Passover lamb, Jesus, born in Bethlehem, was presenting Himself as the sacrificial lamb. The One who would take upon Himself the sins of the world.
The people of Jerusalem hadn’t expected that kind of a savior. Within a week, their cries of “Hosanna” would turn to “Crucify him!” And on the day the Passover lambs were slaughtered, Jesus, the Lamb of God, hung on a cross and poured out His blood, so we could be forgiven and free.
Jesus was indeed their Deliverer. One day He will take the throne. One day He will set things right. But before the crown, there comes the cross. And Jesus willingly bore it for me and you.
One day Jesus will take the throne. One day He will set things right. But before the crown, there comes the cross. And Jesus willingly bore it for me and you.
So, let your voices join with those around the throne singing,
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
Revelation 5:12
PRAYER
Lord, I shake my head in awe at how You so fulfilled the Scriptures. But, even more, I bow my knee in worship. Your plan was far more brilliant and far more beneficial than anything human beings could fathom. Thank You for being willing to lay down your life for us to see it happen. May I follow Your lead and lay down my life to You.
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