Luke 19:28-48
Q.1. What was unusual about the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem? How did the people respond to His entry visit? – (Lk.19:28-38)
First of all, Jesus was – going on ahead (Lk.19:28). Mark expanded this further – They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. Again, He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him (Lk.19:32). The disciples knew that Jesus had stirred up much strong emotion in Jerusalem. Jesus knew that they were concerned about this. He went on to explain that He was going there to die, just as the Scriptures foretold (Mk.10:33-34). Before all that, He would present Himself as Israel’s king … so He sent two of His disciples to find an unbroken colt of a donkey for the purpose (Lk.19:29-34). Jesus foresaw that the owner would query them but would give Jesus permission to use the colt. King Jesus came not on an all-conquering white horse like the one upon which He will return to earth (c.f. Rev.19:11), but on a lowly donkey. In spite of His repeated warnings that His Kingdom was not yet, all His followers took this entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as the sign that the Kingdom was imminent – 39 As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen 38 shouting: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! (Lk.19:37-39).DANIEL PROPHESIED THE KING COMING TO JERUSALEM …The exact date of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was pinpointed with great accuracy in Daniel 9:23-27. Sir Robert Anderson, theologian, and Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard (1888-1901) wrote an excellent book, “The Coming Prince”, which has become one of the most important books in Biblical Eschatology. In it he unfolded the significance of Daniel 9:25-26 as the angel Gabriel foretold the exact date when Jesus Christ, the anticipated Messiah, would present Himself as King in Jerusalem. There is no other book on planet Earth which predicts the future with such stunning accuracy – Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. Then after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself (Dan.9:25-26).⦁ This vision of the sixty-nine weeks pinpoints the coming of the Messiah to Jerusalem.⦁ The decree of Daniel 9:25 took place on March 4th, 444 BC (recorded in Nehemiah 2:1-8).⦁ The sixty-nine weeks of seven years equals 483 years, 173,880 days (using 360-day prophetic years).⦁ This leads to March 29th, A.D.33, the date of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.⦁ This is checked by noting that 444 BC to AD 33 is 476 years, and 476 times 365.24219 days per year equals 173,855 days.⦁ Adding 25 days for the difference between March 4th and March 29th gives 173,880 days.⦁ It should be noted that the Babylonians used a 360-day calendar, which must be converted to our current Solar Years, of 365 days.⦁ These 360 day-years are commonly called prophetic years.⦁ Thus, the exact day when the Messiah would come to Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, was predicted by Gabriel to the very day.THE LAST WEEK OF GREAT TRIBULATION WILL FOLLOW THE RAPTURE …The key events of history are prefigured by Israel’s seven Festivals:⦁ The New Testament confirms that the Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, First fruits, and Pentecost have all been fulfilled in Christ and the church.⦁ Three remain to be fulfilled: Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles (Booths).⦁ The Rapture of the saints is associated with trumpets (1 Cor.15:52; 1 Thes.4:16) and this will usher in Daniel’s last week of Great Tribulation (Mt.24:21 c.f. Jer.30:7; Dan.12:1; Joel 2:2).⦁ The feast of Tabernacles will be observed during the Millennial Reign of Christ (Zech.14:16 c.f. Rev.20:4 & 6) before we enter the new heaven and new earth forever (Rev.21:1 c.f. Isa.65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet.3:13).⦁ We are currently in the last millennia before the Thousand Year Reign of Christ.⦁ Though no one knows the exact day or hour of the Rapture, from Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem around AD 33 to the end of this millennium would be around 2033 less the seven-year Tribulation.⦁ John concluded his prophecy – He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly’. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (Rev.22:20).
Q.2. Why did Jesus weep over the city of Jerusalem? – (Lk.19:39-44)
The reaction of Israel’s leaders prompted Jesus to declare – I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out! (Lk.19:40). When Jesus saw the city of Jerusalem, He wept over it (Lk.19:41). This city had housed the Temple in which the God of the universe had promised to dwell. For centuries God had removed His Presence from the Temple. Now God in the flesh visited, and He was despised and about to be murdered. He continued – ‘If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes … because you did not recognize the time of your visitation (Lk.19:42 & 44). Jesus knew the destruction that would come in keeping with God’s repeated warnings.
Q.3. How did Jesus respond to the way in which the temple was being used? What impact did Christ’s ministry in the temple have? – (Lk.19:45-48)
Jesus already knew what He would find in the temple (Jn.2:13-17). Once more He drove out the mercenary traders – saying to them, “It is written, `And My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a robbers’ den” (Lk.19:46). A house of prayer it was not. In spite of all the messages of hope, as well as the healings, opposition was mounting against the Owner of Everything. – He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him (Lk.19:47). Nevertheless, some loyal followers – were hanging on to every word He said (Lk.19:48).