The Triumphal Entry -- Past Or Future?- by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
The Triumphal Entry -- Past Or Future?
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
Did our Lord actually ride in triumph into Jerusalem to become King of the Church? Or is His true triumph still to come?
True,
the townspeople cried: “Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that
cometh in the name of the Lord” (John 12:12,13). But Jesus responded by
entering the city, riding “an ass’s colt” (Verses 14,15). Surely this
was not a very regal sight! Once before, when He knew that they “would
come and take Him by force to make Him a King, He departed…into a
mountain Himself alone” (John 6:15).
He
knew that it was not yet time for Him to reign. First must come the
cross, then the throne. Zechariah had prophesied of this entry into
Jerusalem, saying: “Behold thy King!” Look at Him! and then he describes
His entrance: “Lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal
of an ass” (Zechariah 9:9).
At
this entry, “When He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over
it” (Luke 19:41). At this entry He entered into the temple, looked about
and went out again (Mark 11:11). It was His Father’s house, but He
could not worship there. It had become a den of thieves. No, this was no
triumphal entry. Look at Him, meek, lowly, riding on an ass’s colt, and
then see Him coming again as Revelation 19:11-16 describes it. How
different the symbolism!
Once
meek, lowly, and “having salvation.” Now, “in righteousness doth He
judge and make war.” Once, riding “an ass’s colt.” Now, “Behold! a white
horse!” And those eyes, once filled with tears are now “as a flame of
fire.”
Our
Lord’s true triumphal entry is still future. According to prophecy He
will come again, put down all rebellion against Himself, and reign in
glory and power. Thank God He has not yet done so! In love He still
points to Calvary, where He died for our sins and offers us the riches
of His grace.
“Who was delivered for our
offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25).
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