A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

II. Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and the Passion Week

Mark 11.7-10 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. [8] And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. [9] And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! [10] Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

A. The Triumphal Entry, Mark 11.1-11

1. Fulfillment of OT Messianic prophecy, Zech. 9.9 – Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

2. Presents himself as Messiah and King of the Kingdom of God of a different sort

a. It does not come with national preference to Israel.

b. It does not result in cataclysmic glory and defeat of the Gentiles.

c. It is presented in the lowliness of Jesus’ person and the kingdom of life he presents and proclaims.

B. Symbolic events picturing the end of Jesus’ ministry

1. Cursing of the fig tree, Mark 11.12-14 (The nation of Israel, God’s pleasant fig tree, has failed to bear fruit in light of God’s gracious revelation, cf. Hos. 9.10.)

2. Second cleansing of the Temple, Matt. 21.12-13 (Jesus in the first cleansing, displayed himself as God’s messenger and reformer, in this second cleansing, he boldly judges the Temple system and those who ran it.)