We all live under power one way or another. As Jesus headed to Jerusalem in today’s passage, people were excited and they were curious about the kind of King and Kingdom He is to usher.
(A)The King (Lk 19:28-40)
We begin this study in Luke 19:28, where Jesus is headed to Jerusalem. This has been taking place since Luke 9:51. Luke is telling us that Jesus resolved to head to Jerusalem. This was purposeful movement and also sets up mounting tension as Jesus heads to the place and time where He is to be taken up (Lk 9:51).
Earlier, in Luke 19:11, we learn that the disciples did not understand the way the Kingdom unfolds. Hence, when they praised Him in this section of Luke 19:28-40, they may not fully understood it in its entirety. What is clear to us is that Jesus knows what He is about to do.
In Luke 19:29-35, we read of how Jesus instructs His disciples to prepare for his entry. He gives specific instructions. As one with authority, there could be many other ways that He could procure a colt, but yet here, He uses His disciples to retrieve a colt. There is something more significant here than just anticipating things that will happen. Jesus speaks with authority and it is with this authority that He instructs His disciples here.
In Zechariah 9:9, this was prophesied, and Jesus was fulfilling this prophecy. It showed a King who is also humble and lowly. Note that this colt was one what no one has yet sat — and this was for a special occasion.
These verses show Jesus on mission who was fulfilling prophecy by riding on a colt set apart for this humble King. Let’s not go over this too quickly. A humble King is the problem for a human heart. A King who is strong is what we often desire. We wish for one who comes to right a ship that has gone off course. Or one who walks confidently to court to mete our justice. We enjoy strong rulers, but often only when it aligns with our goals. A King who come in humility tells us that He will come on His own terms, and not ours. Is this the King you worship — one who is on a colt and not on a warhorse? He doesn’t come in splendour but comes to show His humility and gentleness. Yet, He declares that He will be strong on His own terms for the mission that is at hand.
What are the responses to this king? It is this king that the people welcome (Lk 19:33). In Luke 19:37-38, we also hear of how they praise Him with words from Psalm 118. They rightly recognise that He is the King who has come to bring something that we cannot bring about. He is bringing peace in heaven and glory in the highest. All creation is hardwired to praise its Creator and we get to join in this praise.
There is a second way to respond. We see that the Pharisees in the crowd told Jesus to rebuke His disciples (Lk 19:40). They have hardened their hearts against this humble King, despite the glory He has revealed. In Psalm 118:22, the psalmist speaks of a rejection of the King, and Jesus also quotes this in Luke 20:17-18.
When we witness the humble King ushered in, we only either join creation in praising Him or harden our hearts against Him. This is the King who comes entering Jerusalem. How will you respond to this King?
(B) The City (Lk 19:41-44)
In Luke 19:41, we see that when Jesus drew near and saw the city. How does the King respond to His city? He wept over it. The humble King is also the Weeping Prophet (c.f. Jer 9:1, 14:17. He addresses a people who fail to understand His work and the salvation He is about to bring, even though they had welcomed Him to Jerusalem. It is worth us pausing to think about the tears of Jesus before His crucifixion. Do not gloss over the fact that His Kingdom and rule is different from the world’s ideas. He is also about a work that we do not expect, nor think that we need.
Jesus has these to say to the city:
“Your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side (Lk 19:43, c.f. Is 29:3, Jer 52:4-5, Eze 4:2)
“And tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you” (Lk 19:44a, c.f. Hos 10:14)
“And they will not leave one stone upon another in you” (Lk 19:44b, c.f. Mic 3:12)
Jesus draws on these Old Testament references that spoke about the physical destruction of Jerusalem that reflected the spiritual state of Israel. All of these things had happened before! God’s people had their sins exposed and laid bare. Yet they had not learn their lesson. Their problem with sin is much deeper.
Jesus is presenting Himself as one of these prophets who looked upon God’s people and called them out for hearts that were far from Him. He comes not wagging His finger but comes weeping when He sees their state.
It is important for us to remember Isaiah 29:3. We learn that the speaker is not Isaiah the prophet, but it is the voice of God here. God is letting them know that the complete destruction before them is because they are at enmity with God. These things unfold but their hearts are still hard. Thus, when Jesus looks at the city, He sees their present spiritual state and is weeping over their future judgment.
It is sobering that Jesus said these things and wept before going to the cross. While destruction is promised here, these things are left for our instruction. Today, if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your heart. Jesus takes enmity with God seriously, and we need to do so too. Have we let sin fester? Have we allowed idols to build up? Repent and turn from your sin!
At the same time, no one thinks that their reign and rule will end. Nations don’t plan for their demise. We too, plan for life as it is to continue and we assume that just because things are this way, it will continue forever. But we are taught from God’s word that these things pass away. When Jesus came, He exposed the failings of this world and came to shake us out of our slumber. In Christ, we have a kingdom that will not pass away and we are to set our hopes accordingly
(C) The Temple (Lk 19:45-48)
Jesus heads to the temple upon entering Jerusalem and at the temple, He drove out those who were selling things (Lk 19:45). Jesus’ words to them in Luke 19:46 drew from the Old Testament in Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. The temple existed so that guilty sinners could worship God and the sacrificial system was to allow the presence of the holy God to dwell among His people, that they could enjoy communion with Him.
From Isaiah 56:7, prayer is no light and simple thing. It is a privilege to be able to offer our prayers to God, and for Him to receive them. God intended for many to be blessed with this relationship, including even the Gentiles. This was the promise in Isaiah. Yet, but the time we reached the time of Jesus, it had been turned into a den of robbers. Access to worshipping God had been turned into a measure of economic profit, even as they thought they were facilitating worship. Jesus righted this wrong as He entered the temple here.
This might be strange, considering what Jesus said in previous verses. Jesus predicted judgment and destruction of the city, including the temple. And yet, He enters the temple here to clean house. Both these make sense only if we remember that what Jesus does is greater than the work and worship that the temple system stands for. On the cross, Jesus in Himself reconciles sinners to a holy God. He comes so that you and I can worship God rightly. He comes with the knowledge that this temple system is fulfilled and to restore right worship before God. Jesus cares about our worship and the rhythms of our worship. Our worship should be focused on knowing God rightly and communing with Him.
In Lent, how has your rhythm of worship shaped your knowledge of God? What do you enjoy about your Sundays or Wednesday nights? Do you leave this place feeling and knowing that you have communed with God? Friends, worship is not for a little bit more Bible knowledge, grander or deeper ministry plan, or even an encouraging song. Jesus came to establish right worship with God. We are to set our hearts rightly on this especially in this season of Lent. Ask God to restore our hearts, especially if there is something that is affecting our worship of Him!
See how Jesus stayed in the temple and teaches (Lk 19:47-48). One of the more understated aspects of Jesus’ ministry might come in the teaching aspect of His ministry. How precious is it that God comes to give and teach us His very words! In Luke 20:1, we also read of how Jesus comes to preach the gospel. He came to bring good news. He has also left us His words, that we may God to Him.
Jesus comes as the humble King to a city far away from Him, to restore worship to a holy God! How will you spend the next 10 days before Good Friday? Are there things in your heart that you need to hear the Saviour’s voice? He is here for us to trust Him and to turn to Him.