The prophets of old foretold the triumphal entry of the LORD JESUS CHRIST into Jerusalem, even to the detail of the conveyance upon which HE would ride. “Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.” (Isa 62:11) “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zec 9:9)
When that day came according to the ordained purpose of GOD, a multitude of HIS followers turned out to greet HIM with great joy and demonstrations of praise. “On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.” (John 12:12-15) “And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” (Mat 21:8-11)
It is amazing to consider that just a few days later, (according to the same ordained purpose) many of this same multitude which was moved to inquire “who is this?”, would be crying out “Crucify HIM”. During this same period of time, the Priests and Scribes were plotting with one of HIS own disciples to betray HIM and making plans to falsely accuse HIM. The stage was being set for the grandest display of Justice and Mercy which the world has ever witnessed.
This triumphal entry is but a precursor to the unfolding of that purpose for which HE was born into the world in the likeness of sinful flesh. While HIS disciples would not fully grasp the significance of HIS entry, in this fashion, into the Holy City of the Jews, until later (see John 12:16) they would nonetheless rejoice to see HIM magnified and rightly worshipped. The Jews, in general, despised the gentle TEACHER from Nazareth, though they sought HIM out that they might receive carnal blessings from HIM. (see John 6:26) The religious men of this world are no different, especially those who seek HIM simply to avoid destruction.
The Pharisees demonstrated this disdain for HIS glory and the beauty of HIS PERSON, as they told HIM to rebuke HIS disciples who were “Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” (Luke 19:38) The LORD replied by setting forth the principle of the certainty of HIS exaltation in the Heavens, and in the Earth. “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19:40) The worship of CHRIST is an absolute certainty which must occur, since HE is worthy to be praised as HE came to perform the perfect will of HIS FATHER. Being that ONE sent by GOD to be the REDEEMER and KING of HIS people, HE cannot fail to accomplish that for which HE was sent nor can those be silenced who are ordained to worship HIM, whether it be the angels in heaven, the sons of GOD chosen in CHRIST from before the foundation of the world, or that creation which HE made according to HIS good pleasure. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isa 55:11-13)
The LORD said that all things will be done according to the good pleasure of HIS will (see Isa.46:10), and that all contingencies are in HIS hands. “Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?” (Isa 43:13) (see Isa. 45:7; Dan. 4:35) Thus, when HE said that HIS people are the “light of the world” HE did not mean that they “ought” to be such, or “might” be such, but rather that they are such. THE salvation of HIS people and HIS work in them both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure are inexorably linked and HE will cause it to come to pass. Just like HIS glory is hid from the wise and prudent so too is the manifestation of HIS SPIRIT’s work in HIS people not always able to be seen by the men of this world. “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.(i.e.; in your midst)” (Luke 17:20-21)
The LORD will manifest HIS glory in HIS people as Paul describes them as “The church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Eph 1:23) This is the exact fulfilment of that which HE prophesied, “Upon this rock (i.e.; HIMSELF, that one whom Peter confessed according to the gift of faith given to him.) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mat 16:18) The LORD has raised up a testimony to HIS glory in that people whose redemption HE has purchased with HIS own blood. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:4-7)
Paul in one of his letters to Timothy said, “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.” (1Tim 5:24-25) This passage reminds us of what he later wrote to Timothy, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2Tim 2:19) The LORD will make HIS people known even as HE knows them. HE has ordained them, not simply to be delivered from the terrors of death, hell, and destruction, but to be given a conscience void of offense, and a mind which takes delight in that which HE has commanded. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10)
The law demanded obedience but gave no power to perform it, being weak in the flesh. “But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.” (Jer 7:23) Yet the LORD fulfilled HIS promise to write the law in the hearts of HIS people as HE prophesied in Jeremiah 31:33. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:3-4) This cannot be hid.
mam