As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said, “and you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them here. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, `The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately send them.” This was done to fulfill the prophecy,
“Tell the people of Israel, `Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey– even on a donkey’s colt.’ ”
The two disciples did as Jesus said. They brought the animals to Him and threw their garments over the colt, and He sat on it.
Most of the crowd spread their coats on the road ahead of Jesus, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. He was in the center of the procession, and the crowds all around Him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David! Bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”
The entire city of Jerusalem was stirred as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants and their customers. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the stalls of those selling doves. He said, “The Scriptures declare, `My Temple will be called a place of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
The blind and the lame came to Him, and He healed them there in the Temple. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the little children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But they were indignant and asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, `You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’ Then He returned to Bethany, where He stayed overnight.
Matthew 21:1-17 NLT
v8 – ‘This verse is one of the few places where the Gospels record that Jesus’ glory is recognized on earth. Jesus boldly declared Himself King, and the crowd gladly joined Him. But these same people would bow to political pressure and desert Him in just a few days. Today we celebrate this event as Palm Sunday. That day should remind us to guard against superficial acclaim for Christ.’
