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Recently I watched a Netflix documentary: “The Greatest Night In Pop,” which was an account on the bestselling charity single of all time: “We Are The World.” Pop music has its origins far back last century but reached its pinnacle in 1980 – the greatest decade for culture, music, and life. I say that with a greatly exaggerated bias. Though, I do feel sorry for those who were born after the 80’s. It was a nostalgic era… but I’m getting off track. I’m only bringing up 80’s music to introduce the 1984 hit song by Bonnie Tyler, “Holding Out For A Hero.” This song had a resurgence in a couple Disney/Pixar & Marvel movies. The lyrics are worth noting:

Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where’s the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn’t there a white-knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn, I dream of what I need.
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure and he’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life

Whether or not you’re a fan of 80’s music, all of us can resonate with the lyrics and will spend our lives looking for a hero.

• Children cry for a hero with monsters under bed
• Teens hunt for a hero from stress and struggles
• Adults yearn for a hero to establish peace amid ever-changing circumstances
• Employees earnestly seek a hero to stabilize our economy
• Citizens call for a hero among politicians to satisfy the American dream
• The weak and unwell beg for a hero to rescue them from the shadow of death
• We need a hero with abilities and authority ready to act on demand.

Over 2K years separate us from the events described in Matthew 21. Yet, the reality is the people who lined the road to Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday are not any different than the people sitting in churches or filling busy communities today – people are holding out for a hero.  

Our world has divergent views of what it means to be a hero. As the song lyrics, some are waiting for the knight on a fiery steed, others are enthused by educated athletes or actors/actresses to give public voice to certain agenda platforms, and still others place their hope in charismatic politicians with a long list of promises if they’re voted into office. Like the first century roads, our dreams are paved with the promises of a kingdom who will make us safe and satisfied. But the hero we need is one who is far different than our prideful dreams and selfish desires.

Let’s turn to this chapter of Scripture to discover the Hero we truly need.

EXAMINE:  Mt 21 Jesus Prepares (Palm Sunday)

Holy Week is the beginning of the end of Jesus’ life on earth. He enters Jerusalem which will begin the uptick of conflict and eventual capture, leading to the cross.  Today we will examine 3 truths about Jesus that qualify Him as our Hero, our Savior and Lord.  

¹ Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” ⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, ⁵ “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” ⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.

Jesus orchestrates small details (21:1-6).  

• Sent two disciples to find donkey tied and a colt with her. This fulfills prophecy in Zec 9:9 & Gen 49:11.
• Jesus is not stealing… He was familiar with Bethphage, near Bethany, which was where close friends Lazarus & Mary lived. It’s likely Jesus knew the animal owner and had either given prior instructions or more that Jesus developed a trusted relationship to provide whatever was needed.
• Sidenote: Bethphage means “house of unripe figs.”^[1] Though we see Israel celebrating Jesus, we know a few days they will crucify Him, illustrating bad fruit.
• Disciples learned to not question but obey Jesus’ instructions. Often times Jesus’ plans didn’t make sense in the moment but the disciples grew to understand God’s purpose is good.
  • Jn 2 when wine runs out… go fill water jars.
  • Mt 8:2 when a storm comes but Jesus in boat… don’t fear, just pray.
  • Mt 14-15 when surrounded by large & hungry crowd with little resources… put your little in God’s hands and watch Him multiply.
  • Mt 17 when taxes are due and Jesus says go fishing and open the fish mouth to find a coin for paying the tax.
  • When facing death… but Jesus instructs to have faith and watch the tomb stone roll away.
  • And in this case, Jesus instructs disciples to go and get a donkey & colt.  

We often think of heroes who perform amazing accomplishments or magnificent miracles; but small acts of faithfulness are equally extraordinary. With Jesus, we see both public wonders and private devotion.  Jesus is always working in dozens and hundreds of ways that are unknown to us in the moment. The faith journey is learning to trust and obey instead of doubt and drift away.

• Journal
• Reflect on the events of Holy Week and the emotional toils of your life circumstances. To help you, consider joining our reading plan this week.

7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”[2]

Jesus operates as a unique king (21:7-11).

The coronation of a king includes elaborate pageantry and lavish expense.^[3]  Usually, the king would wear ornate robes and jewelry, and enter the capital city in an ornate carriage drawn by stately stallions. Following the king’s carriage would be the nation’s select soldiers, along with other dignitaries and high-ranking officials from other nations. Music would ring with choruses from the crowd. Overall, the transfer of power from one king to the next would display greatness and hope.    

In this case, Jesus sat on a colt with a donkey walking along (Lk 19:35); while it is often noted that Jesus rode a donkey, the reference is the animals were in tandem. The unbroken and unridden colt would have been wild, hence its mother accompanying. Further, in this passage there’s no sign of its stubbornness and they appear surrendered and compliant. Ironically, an animal was more obedient to Jesus than religious leaders; and Jesus masters the untamed.

Both animals were not uncommon for a nation’s leader to ride, but it was usually only done once the king had conquered, during a time of peace. Jesus’ intention riding on a colt/donkey communicates His victory was assured, and the character of His kingdom.

Overall, Matthew references these acts as fulfillment of prophecy over 500 years before Christ. Zechariah 9:9 “Behold your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”

Matthew’s details:

• Crowd… Scholars note Jerusalem’s population around 25K and could swell 6x.
• spread cloaks on the road…
  • 1^st C. world did not own multiple outfits. This was a sacrifice and tremendous statement of their belief of Jesus to become their heroic king. This custom (cf 2 Ki 9:13) of laying their garments down was saying, “We place ourselves under your authority and provision; even to walk over us for the good of the whole nation.”^[4]
• Crowd cut palm branches to lay on road…This symbolized the desire for a smooth and peaceful journey. Further, it showed the crowd’s desire for Jesus to step off the animal and walk toward them (Jn 12:13).
• Crowd sang… People sing to celebrate, or because something brings them joy, or they’re in love. The crowd’s singing represented their hopes for Messiah. Singing can invoke others to sing; it can quiet a room – – – when I sing I can clear a room – ha! But a crowd singing to Jesus is a powerful experience because you know His favor is upon those who look to Him.
  • Hosanna This word means God saves or could be taken as a command/cry “Lord, save us now!” (cf Psalm 118:25-26).
  • to the Son of David Title of one belonging on throne.
  • Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD

Overall, Jesus’ earthly coronation was not meant to display superiority but servanthood. ^[5] He did not live in prosperity but poverty; He did not come dominance but meekness; and He did not come to slay Israel’s enemies but to save all humanity. While the incarnation of Jesus displayed humiliation, the return of Jesus will express glorification.

Jesus’ earthly coronation was not meant to display superiority but servanthood.
He did not live in prosperity but poverty;
He did not come dominance but meekness;
and He did not come to slay Israel’s enemies but to save all humanity.
While the incarnation of Jesus displayed humiliation, the return of Jesus will express glorification.

> Jesus as unique king means His salvation comes not how you think. It cannot be earned like the religious leaders taught. It cannot be voted in or manufactured with military power like the villagers sought. Likewise, today people like the Jesus who dines with sinners, forgives sin, and promotes love and blessing. But like the fickle crowd shouting hosanna, we are tempted to withdraw from Jesus when He makes demands as our Lord. 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” Jesus isn’t afraid to stir up things in your life to force you discern if your faith is in for what you get or for who you gain. Until we see Jesus as our greatest gift, everything else will be things we pursue but never satisfy.

Jesus isn’t afraid to stir up things in your life to force you discern if your faith is in for what you get or for who you gain. Until we see Jesus as our greatest gift, everything else will be things we pursue but never satisfy.

¹² And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. ¹³ He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” ¹⁴ And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. ¹⁵ But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, ¹⁶ and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” ¹⁷ And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.
⁴⁵ When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. ⁴⁶ And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

Jesus overturns faith as consumerism to conviction (21:12-17; 46-47)

Moving from the Jerusalem streets to inside the temple heightens the attention and aggression upon Jesus. Passover is days away and pilgrims are populating the city. The religious leaders are busy providing services to the people, but also performing outward rituals for personal profit.
The sacrificial system had become a fraudulent scheme. If travelers brought their animal sacrifice, it was rejected at the temple and forced them to purchase from the temple business. If they planned for the purchase, they still had to exchange currency rates at higher costs. The entire system had turned the praise of God into profits of man and exploiting people.

Jesus overturned tables and cast-off the dishonest merchants. Jesus wanted God’s house to be a place of genuine prayer, where people encounter God to discover hope, life, healing, salvation, and peace.

When we read the Gospels and encounter the life of Jesus, we are forced to a point of decision.

Some will view Jesus as a crazy mystic who had interesting teachings, inspiring ideas about love, and intriguing concepts about God. But, the crazy mystic couldn’t really be the Son of God; nor could he truly have performed miracles, much more rise from the dead. The crazy mystic had even crazier followers who exaggerated the narrative and Christianity is a house of cards ready to collapse.

Or you will view Jesus not as a crazy mystic but as Peter said, “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And you will listen to His teachings as truth; and respond with repentance, faith, surrender, and humble love.

Further, your life is sustained with the miracle of His presence – the Holy Spirit, provided to all believers after Jesus’ resurrection. You know whom you have believed and are convinced that Jesus is able to guard what has been entrusted to you until the day of Christ’s return (cf. 2 Tim 2:12).

We have only two options: Crown Jesus or Crucify Jesus. We are not left with the option to merely compliment Jesus and enter the consumer mindset where we placate God with church attendance, religious deeds like songs and service, and make payments with offerings so that God becomes obligated to make our life better and easy.

In essence, this is what the Pharisees attempted to do with God. They viewed God as their equal partner. They understood God was powerful in the heavens, but they created ways to exercise power over people that their authority became inflated.

So, Jesus says, “I am your Savior from sin. I am your Strength to endure storms and overcome struggles. I am your Shepherd to guide you to still waters. But, I withhold salvation, strength, and support until you recognize me as Sovereign.” If Jesus is not our king, we do not get the benefits of His kingdom.

Jesus tells the church, “I wish that you were either cold or hot. But, because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:15-16).

Jesus is worth more than hollow praise or hypocritical religion. Our takeaway from the Triumphal Entry is that we cannot perform or pretend, flatter or control Jesus. The Triumphal Entry turns everything upside down.  

• Triumph of humility over pride.
• Triumph of simple servanthood over political dominance.
• Triumph of grace over religious good works.
• Triumph of the love of God over the hatred of humanity.

• We exchange consumerism faith for convictional faith when we take our sin seriously. In other words, we reflect deeply on “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” We realize that there is nothing we have to offer, nothing we can accomplish, nothing we can become apart from surrender.
  Isa 66:2 “this is the one to whom the LORD will look: one who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at the LORD’s word”

*What cloaks do you need to lay out, or palm branches cut off to invite Jesus presence in your life?

APPLY/THINK

One last look: can you imagine how Pilate looked upon these events? He probably asked…

• How many horses did this king enter the city with?
  • Just a colt and a donkey.  
• How many soldiers or prisoners were with this king?
  • None. He was alone.
  • There were some children singing.
• What patriotic war songs were they singing?
  • Praise songs of blessing
• What kind of weapons did this king have?
  • None that were visible. Maybe palm branches.

The Triumphal Entry shows us that we cannot look at Jesus without redeemed eyes.

A man named Paul had to be blinded to be able to see Jesus. His life was like Pilate, and believed that Jesus was a threat. But after Paul truly met Jesus, he no longer celebrated Jesus’ crucifixion but His crown. Paul’s prayer for others: “I pray the eyes of your heart be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And God put all things under Christ’s feet” (Eph 1:18-22)

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^[1] Donald A. Hagner, Matthew 14–28, vol. 33B, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1995), 593.

^[2] Daniel M. Doriani, “Matthew,” in Matthew–Luke, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. VIII, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021), 312.

^[3] Adapted from John F. MacArthur Jr., Matthew, vol. 3, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), 256.

^[4] Adapted from John F. MacArthur Jr., Matthew, vol. 3, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), 260.

^[5] Paragraph adapted from John F. MacArthur Jr., Matthew, vol. 3, NT Commentary, 259.