Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 18 August 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 21

Topic: “Behold, your King is coming to you”

1Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.
3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

Matthew 21:1-5

INTRODUCTION

1. Bethphage

Meaning: “The house of unripe figs”

2. Bethany

Bethphage was a neighbour of Bethany, which was about 3.2 km from Jerusalem

3. Mount of Olives

a) It was a series of ridges

b) Olive groves were found there

c) This was a favourite place of the Lord Jesus

i) For prayer

ii) For instruction

PREPARATION FOR ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM

1. The Lord Jesus had been to Jerusalem many times

a) Since He was a little baby, brought by His devout parents

b) With His disciples on teaching tours

2. This coming trip to Jerusalem

a) It would be different

b) He would seek to fulfil the Scriptures

FULFILLING OF AN ANCIENT PROPHECY

1. Zechariah’s prophecy
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Zechariah 9:9

2. This was called a Messianic prophecy

a) The word “Messiah” means “The anointed one”

b) The Messiah was the anointed King

c) This King would be a truly unique one

3. The Messianic King

a) He would ride into Jerusalem one day

b) His presence would be cause of great rejoicing

c) He would ride on a colt, the young foal of a donkey

d) This was to suggest that He would be markedly humble

ARRANGEMENT HAD BEEN MADE

1. Arrangement had to be made quietly

2. His entry into Jerusalem would be known to just a few trusted people

3. The owner of the donkeys

a) He would have his servants on stand-by

b) A secret password would be given

“The Lord has need of them”

Matthew 21:3

4. The news must not be spread

a) The enemies of the Lord would oppose them

b) But Scriptures must be fulfilled

LESSONS FOR US TO PONDER OVER

1. The profundity of the Scriptures

a) Prophecy

b) Fulfilment

2. The example of the Lord Jesus

a) His knowledge of the Scriptures

b) His commitment to fulfil them

c) His courage

d) His trust

e) His humility