Matthew 21:1-17

Now Jesus has determined to enter the final phase of his earthly ministry, elsewhere in Luke in the King James vernacular He “set His face toward Jerusalem”. It is here that in Matthew's own style to point to Jesus as the prophecied Messiah using the verse from Zechariah while describing Jesus's actions.

Zechariah 9:9
[9] Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah is writing a list of things to come while addressing the situation with the rebuilding of the walls and temple to replace the first destroyed Solomons temple. Don't forget that the first hearers and readers of Zechariah had no king.

Both the northern and southern kingdoms have been destroyed and there is no king in either. So when Zechariah says a King is coming, there is no doubt Zechariah anticipated this King to be the Messiah. The Jews understood this, so when Jesus rode that donkey into Jerusalem they clearly understood this to be the receiving of the Messiah.

Now here's the part where my ADHD brain begins asking, was there some supernatural knowledge that this colts owner was privy to regarding this or did he just faithfully accept, “The Lord has need of this” as a valid reason?
We will never know for sure but it is fun to think about.

The actions of the crowd are those of a city welcoming a king after a great victory or anointing. The laying out of cloaks, palm leaves and more were to not allow this arriving king to soil the feet of even the animal he's riding in on.

The children are calling out, “Hosanna” which means “God save us”. Let's make this clear, there was NO confusion about Jesus's claim here. The Jewish Leaders were well aware of the Messianic claim here. So when He dismounts in Jerusalem and begins what is considered the second cleansing of the temple there is no debate, Jesus is claiming to be the Messiah in no uncertain terms.

So when the leaders approach Him with the question, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 in response.

Psalm 8:2
[2] From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have established strength Because of Your enemies, To do away with the enemy and the revengeful.

In the Hebrew, the word used means strength from the root word for stronghold. Here, Jesus is quoting the Septuagint or Greek version where the word ‘praise’ is used. It's this praise that acts as a source of strength against God's enemies.

Yes, Jesus is calling the Jewish leaders the enemies of God. And without even attempting a debate with them, Jesus turns his attention to healings amidst the destruction.

Some Jews believed He was there to act as King and they were ready and willing to go to war against Rome to have a king back. They were willing to die for this new king. But He didn't take a throne they could see, didn't receive a crown of a king and simply continued preaching. And this event took place roughly a week prior to the cross.

So the calls took a week to devolve from Hosanna to “Crucify Him” because the Kingdom Jesus ushered in was the Kingdom of Heaven, not Israel. How many times in our lives do we go from thanking and praising Him to neglecting Him, because the answer to our praise and prayers isn't the answer we expected? It doesn't take much to turn someone from God. A week? God, please give us the strength to continue in faith.



[1] When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, [2] saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to Me. [3] And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them on immediately.” [4] Now this took place so that what was spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: [5] “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” [6] The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, [7] and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their cloaks on them; and He sat on the cloaks. [8] Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. [9] Now the crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” [10] When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” [11] And the crowds were saying, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.” [12] And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. [13] And He *said to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” [14] And those who were blind and those who limped came to Him in the temple area, and He healed them. [15] But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant, [16] and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus *said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?” [17] And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

Let's talk about it.
Every year at Passover, a lamb was selected and brought into the family's home. Most Christians know that. Here is what most Christians have never been told.

The lamb was not slaughtered immediately. It was brought in on the 10th day of Nisan and it stayed with the family for four full days.

It lived in the house. It ate from their hands. The children played with it. They gave it a name. They fell in love with it.

For four days, that lamb became part of the family.

Then on the 14th of Nisan, the father took the lamb his children had been holding and sleeping beside for four days, and slaughtered it.

The blood was painted on the doorposts. The family ate the lamb together that night. And death passed over every house covered by the blood of the lamb they had loved.

That was the Passover. And it happened every single year for 1,500 years.

Now here is what makes that devastating.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on the 10th of Nisan.

The exact day the Passover lamb was selected.

He rode in while crowds waved palm branches and shouted Hosanna. Selected publicly, the same day every family in Israel was selecting their lamb privately.

Then for four days He was examined.

The Pharisees tested Him. The Sadducees tested Him. The Herodians tested Him. Pilate examined Him. Herod examined Him.

Every single one reached the same conclusion.

"I find no fault in this man."

No blemish.

For 1,500 years, every Passover lamb had to be inspected for four days and found without blemish before it could be sacrificed. Jesus was inspected for four days and found without fault.

Then on the 14th of Nisan, at the exact hour the Passover lambs were being slaughtered in the Temple, Jesus was nailed to a cross.

The lambs were slaughtered at three in the afternoon. Jesus died at three in the afternoon.

While the priests were killing the Passover lambs and painting their blood on the altar, the actual Passover Lamb was dying on a hill outside the city walls with His blood running down the wood of a cross.

And most Christians who have celebrated Easter their entire lives have no idea that every detail was following a script rehearsed for fifteen centuries.

But here is the part most people have never heard.

Not a single bone of the Passover lamb was allowed to be broken. That was the law. Exodus 12:46.

When the Roman soldiers came to break the legs of the men on the crosses, they broke the legs of the criminal on the left. They broke the legs of the criminal on the right.

When they came to Jesus, He was already dead.

They did not break His bones.

John recorded it and wrote: "These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of His bones will be broken."

A law about a lamb, given to Moses in the desert 1,500 years earlier, was fulfilled in the body of a man hanging between two thieves on a Roman cross.

John 12:13: "They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna!' 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Blessed is the king of Israel!'"

THE CALVARY MINISTRY ONLINE

The Gospel From Calvary

WEDNESDAY 15TH JULY, 2026

THE KING WHO CAME TO DIE

```TEXT: MATTHEW 21:1-11```

```KEY VERSE:``` "Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass" (MATTHEW 21:5).

It was Palm Sunday. The crowds spread their garments and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” They expected a conquering king to crush Rome. What they got was a weeping King on a donkey, riding not to a palace but to a Cross. Jesus fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy: meek, lowly, yet King. He didn’t come to take power. He came to take your place.

Three truths about this King from Calvary: One, He came in meekness, not in majesty. “Thy King cometh unto thee, meek.” The same King who commands legions chose a colt. At Calvary, He wore thorns, not gold. He rules by love, not by force. Two, He came to fulfill Scripture. Every step from Bethlehem to Jerusalem was written. The donkey, the Hosannas, the rejected stone — all pointed to this week. The Cross was never Plan B; it was the promise from Genesis. Three, He came to save, not to impress. The people cried “Hosanna” meaning “Save us now!” Five days later they cried “Crucify Him.” But Jesus kept riding. He knew true salvation would not come by killing Romans, but by being killed for sinners.

What kind of King are you expecting today? A quick fix, a political answer, a crown without a cross? Behold your King. He is meek, yet mighty. He wept over Jerusalem, yet He would die for it. Don’t miss Him in His lowliness. The donkey ride leads to Calvary’s hill, and that’s where your Hosanna is truly answered.

✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` He rode in low to lift you high — the meek King became the bleeding Savior.

```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` PSALMS 7-9

John 12:

"1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 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.
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."

May grace come, and may this world pass away.
Hosanna to the God of David.
If anyone is holy, let him come;
If anyone is not, let him repent.
Maranatha! Amen.
(Didache 10:9)

Mark 11:

"1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."

"Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: Hosanna Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord"
Mark 11:9 NKJV

*DAILY VERSE*

Check it out!:
Shared from https://lordsbook.com

download the app on

IOS
https://apps.apple.com/ug/app/lordsbook-app/id6670486435

ANDROID
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.himfirstapps.lordsbookapp

"Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: Hosanna Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord"
Mark 11:9 NKJV

*DAILY VERSE*

Check it out!:
Shared from https://lordsbook.com

download the app on

IOS
https://apps.apple.com/ug/app/lordsbook-app/id6670486435

ANDROID
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.himfirstapps.lordsbookapp

‍ G’day
DAY 1 – ENDLESS LIGHT
5 DAY DEVOTIONAL SERIES — FROM GLORY TO GLORY - Encountering The Presence Of God
Will You Step Out Of Darkness Into His Marvellous Light?

#WorshipAndTheWord – The Light Of His Presence
#EndlessLight #HillsongWorship #AriseShine #KentHenry

Jesus Christ still shines brightly in a dark and weary world.

Through the cross, Jesus Christ brought us out of darkness and into the light of His Kingdom. Sin no longer has the final word over those who place their faith in Him. Through His sacrifice and resurrection, we have received forgiveness, hope, eternal life, and access into the presence of God.

God never intended believers to live bound by fear, confusion, compromise, or spiritual apathy. The Holy Spirit leads us into truth and empowers us to walk as children of light in a generation desperate for hope. When we remain close to Jesus, His light transforms our thinking, renews our hearts, and shines through our lives for His glory.

JESUS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Christ alone leads us out of spiritual darkness and into life.
John 8:12 (BSB)
“Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Jesus breaks the power of darkness and leads His people into truth, freedom, and eternal life.

ARISE AND SHINE
God calls His people to reflect His glory boldly before the world.
Isaiah 60:1
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”
The light of Christ within us becomes a testimony of God’s power and goodness to others.

WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT
Believers are called to live differently because Christ lives within them.
Ephesians 5:8
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
Our lives should reflect the character, holiness, and love of Jesus Christ daily.

Beloved:
Do not allow fear, compromise, distraction, or the darkness of this world to dim the light of Christ within you. You were not created to hide your faith or live defeated by the pressures of this generation. Jesus has called you out of darkness and into His marvellous light for such a time as this.

Rise up today and walk boldly in your God-given identity. Reject every lie of the enemy that says you are weak, forgotten, or without purpose. The Holy Spirit is empowering believers right now to shine brightly, carry His presence, and reveal the love of Jesus Christ everywhere they go. Let your worship, your words, and your lifestyle point others toward the Saviour.

Prayer:
Father, in the name of Jesus, thank You for calling me out of darkness and into Your marvellous light. I reject fear, compromise, confusion, spiritual apathy, and every lie of the enemy. I receive renewed faith, boldness, wisdom, and fresh fire from the Holy Spirit. Transform my heart and let my life reflect the love, holiness, and glory of Jesus Christ. Empower me to walk as a child of light and shine brightly for Your Kingdom in this generation. I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord over my life and that I will live boldly for His glory alone.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.


#AltarFrontWorship 🏾 with #PsChrisB-250526
© “Endless Light” – Hillsong Worship – 2006 – CCLI #4783410
© “Arise, Shine” – Kent Henry & Integrity’s Hosanna! Music – 1985 – CCLI #13797
Used under Fair Use/Dealing for the purpose of Worship and Teaching
All rights reserved.

Watch
YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmUNuFiPaxI
FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18YhHnrhux/
Subscribe | Follow | Like | Share
YouTube/FB: @christopherboothministries
TT: PsChrisB
IG: PsChrisB; stchristopheroz; christopherboothoz
Church Of The Living God
clg.org.au
YT/FB/IG: CLG.Australia

#EndlessLight #LightOfTheWorld #GloryOfTheLord
#John812 #Isaiah601 #Ephesians58
#ChristopherBooth #ChurchOfTheLivingGod #CLGPastor
#4Square #Saviour #Healer #HolySpiritBaptiser #SoonComingKing
#ChristianAustralia #AussieChristians #SydneyChurch
#WorshipAndScripture #DailyDevotional #WordOfGod #ChristianInspiration #BibleVerseOfTheDay #ChristianMusic #PraiseAndWorship #WorshipLeader
#ChristianLiving #PrayerForTheDay #DailyBread #GodsWordsForToday

@followers @christopherboothoz @stchristopheroz @christopheroz
@PsChristopherBoothOz @PsChrisB @Tentmakeroz
YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmUNuFiPaxI