Triumphal Sunday, which was both the victorious entrance of the King of Kings into the city of kings – Jerusalem, as well as a prelude to the actual ultimate event, when Jesus returns in glory, is the celebration of the triumph over evil, as stated in Psalm 41: 10-11.
The triumph relates – Matthew 21: 1- 11. Triumph means “to lead in victory, triumph”, and in the Roman world it was a procession of magnificence – a procession of victory was granted by the Roman Senate only to the one who either held office as a dictator, praetor, or had a decisive victory in the complete subjugation of a province. The general entered into the city in his chariot drawn by four horses, with a scepter in one hand and a branch of laurel in the other. He was preceded by the magistrates, musicians, spoils of victory, and the captives in fetters, while being followed by his army – those under marching orders. What a visual of our Triumphant King – the one who had the only victory when He subjugated the devil and his ensigns. By the way, believers will be part of His ultimate procession when He returns, so we are not to be spectators in this triumph; we are under marching orders to follow His victory and stay in line with Him. Verse 1 tells us that Jesus came to Bethphage (pronounced bayth-fag-ay), which means “house of the unripe figs.” just as Jesus cursed the fig tree for not bringing forth appropriate fruit, so He comes to this place in time where He’s not pleased with the outgrowth. In verse 2, He tells the disciples to go and find a donkey; they are to untie it and bring it to Jesus. The Greek word for untie is “luo”, meaning, “to loose, release, unleash, dissolve, release what’s being held back”. We are to be untied and released from what is holding us back, as well, if we desire to be in His “hit parade”, so to speak. In verse 4 the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 unfolds, and in verse 5 we see one of the characteristics of that mighty victorious warrior: gentle (not the quality you’d imagine). It is the Greek word “praus”, meaning “gentle, mild, meek-though not weak.” one of the best visuals is that of the horse, when He is reined in; this word means “great strength under control of the master”; power without harshness. In verse 5 it says Jesus mounted the animal. The Greek word “mounted” is “epibaino”, meaning “to go aboard, go up”. If we are going to be a servant of the most high, we need to go forward and upward and ride His parade, not ours. In verse 9 the response of the people is “Hosanna in the Highest”. Hosanna is the Greek word “hosanna”, meaning”save, we pray”. It’s a cry for help more than a worship pose. Hosanna is transliterated from the Hebrew as “Hosiahna” – that suffix “na” meaning “intense emotion of save now”. The people were looking for an immediate deliverance from the hands of Rome, more than they were really seeking to put themselves in the hands of the sovereign. In verse 9 it says He comes.
In the name of the Lord, which is the Greek word “kyriou”, from “kurios”, meaning, “Lord, Master; one who has absolute ownership”. When we cry to the Lord, we are, in effect, telling our owner that He can do whatever He wants to do. Verse 10 remarks that as He came into the city, the people were moved. This word “selo” (si-o), means to shake, stir up, agitate, rock sideways to and fro”. They said: who is this? His presence shook their foundation. Reminds me of the Wisconsin town that has endured recent shakings in the ground and realized that there is a small earthquake moving. All of this brings them to state that Jesus is a prophet from Nazareth. The triumphal entry tells eternity that Jesus is from heaven and comes in here as King and Sovereign and He owns the town.
The triumph awaits – Revelation 6:13 -the future when the sixth seal of the judgment of God comes forth. The stars fall from the sky, because they won’t be upheld by the light of the world anymore. Darkness is coming; as untimely figs -shout out to triumphal entry- and a mighty wind shakes everything that can be shaken. All the mighty men of every walk of life flee for their lives and go to the mountains. Later Jesus will come back triumphantly with His saints dressed in white – Revelation 19:11-17 and the supper here will be the residue of what is left on the earth for the vultures to grab. Oh may we be in the army feasting at His table.