|
"Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'"
(Matthew 21:9)
Jerusalem erupted in praise of the Servant King riding into the city on the back of a donkey. You read that right, a donkey, not a mighty stallion. Followers of Jesus cannot help but praise the Lord. When we praise God, the Lord does some mighty things in our midst. In our biblical text for this week, we read of how so many were impacted by the praise of the people. Their praise influenced those who were there for Passover, which would start in a few days. Matthew 21:10-11 states, "And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, 'Who is this?' So the multitudes said, 'This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.'"
There is so much joy and life in this scene; it is most palpable. The people are singing praise to Jesus, "Hosanna," which means "oh save". They are recognizing Jesus as the Savior of the world. Verse 10 says that all the city was moved; they were spiritually and emotionally moved and felt compelled to ask, "Who is this?" I wonder if you and I are doing anything as Christ-followers that makes people want to say, "Who is Jesus?"
When asked the question, they told them who this was all about, and they said His name, Jesus, who was indeed a prophet from Nazareth of Galilee... but we know He was much more, for we read a few chapters later that the grave could not hold Him. Pastor David Platt writes,
"In verse 11, they referred to Him as the 'prophet Jesus,' which reminds us that He is the prophetic King. This statement may not seem noteworthy, but in the context of Matthew's Gospel it is incredibly significant. Matthew 21 gives us a glimpse of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, as the perfect prophet, priest, and king. We've already seen Him depicted as King (Matt 21:5), and soon Matthew will portray Jesus in a priestly role in the temple (vv. 12–16), foreshadowing the new way to God He will make for sinners. Likewise, Jesus is a prophet, for He is God's Word revealed to men in the flesh (John 1:1, 14)." (Platt, Exalting Jesus in Matthew, p. 281)
There is much power and influence in praise. When you and I praise Jesus like those in the city in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, good things happen. I encourage you to praise God throughout this day, no matter your circumstances. People will watch, and some will inquire as to your joyful worship of God. Then you can share with them that it is all about Jesus!
What a mighty God we serve!
If you are in the Austin, TX area tonight, I invite you to attend our Good Friday service at 6:00PM at Great Hills Baptist Church.
|
Apple
Spotify
Deezer
YouTube
