Mark 11:1-11
¹As they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, ²and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here.
³If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ you say, ‘The Lord has need of it’; and immediately he will send it back here.”
⁴They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they untied it.
⁵Some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”
⁶They spoke to them just as Jesus had told them, and they gave them permission.
⁷They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it.
⁸And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields.
⁹Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;
¹⁰Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna (= save us please) in (by) the highest!”
¹¹Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late.
Devotional
We are saved through Jesus’ first coming.
His return brings God’s Kingdom in full glory.
Bethphage and Bethany were on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem.
The usual route to Jerusalem for the Jews living in Galilee was on the east side of the Jordan.
So they followed that route when they went to the big feasts in the temple. At Jericho they crossed the Jordan and then followed the road that went into the hill country of Judea. The last mountain to be crossed was the Mount of Olives. From that mountain one had a magnificent view of Jerusalem. Because of all sorts of dangers, the partygoers traveled in large groups along the way, singing psalms together from time to time (Psalm 120-134).
In the midst of those people, Jesus now also goes with his disciples. As a boy of 12 years old, He had first made the journey to Jerusalem with Mary his mother and Joseph (Luke 2:41-43). Then coming from Nazareth.
Arriving at the foot of the Mount of Olives, Jesus sends two disciples to the village (presumably Bethfage) to borrow a donkey. The animal is still unridden (Mark 11:1-3). This indicates that it will be used for a special purpose (Compare Numbers 19:2).
More often, Jesus’ actions have a prophetic purpose. Similarly here.
In connection with Zechariah 14:4, the Jews of that time, and also later, thought that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.
We see that happening here.
Yet it will not be the entry of a glorious king. Jesus does not enter the city on a horse, an image of strength, but on a donkey, without pomp and splendor (Mark 11:7; Zechariah 9:9). He comes as Prince of Peace.
At the Passover people sang the so-called Hallel, the Psalms 113 to 118.
Here in Mark 11:10, Psalm 118: 25,26 is shown.
‘Hosanna! (Hosanna = save us please) Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; blessed the coming kingdom of our father David (Compare Amos 9:11; Isaiah 9:6).
Hosanna in the highest heavens!
Although it is often stated that way, it is not there when we read it literally.
▪︎ Firstly, “hosanna” is not a shout of joy, but a call (a prayer) for salvation.
▪︎ Secondly, the word “heavens” is not mentioned here.
▪︎ And in addition, the word translated here as “in” can also be translated as “by”.
If “hosanna” had also been translated like the rest of the sentence, it would have read: “Save us please by the Highest” which would, in my opinion, make more sense, for once we are already in the highest heaven, we need not to pray for salvation anymore, for being there proves that we are saved, otherwise we would not have been there.
Some explain that the cry “Hosanna” (“Lord, save (us)!”) was originally a prayer, but in the course of time this cry for salvation has become an expression of exultation.
However, I can hardly imagine that a people in need, oppressed by the Romans, and who feel that they are bringing their king into the city, their liberator, crying out “save us”, without literally meaning this.
Jesus has come as the Savior. In Him we have a glorious part in His Kingdom. But that Kingdom is not yet in full glory. That will be true when he returns (2 Peter 3:13).
Questions for self-reflection
▪︎ How do you look forward to Jesus’ return? (Compare Revelation 22:20.)
▪︎ Are you ready for His second coming?
Prayer suggestion
▪︎ Ask the Lord Jesus to come back soon
Twitter: @SchoemakerHarry
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