How could Jesus be this calm? How can we be this calm?

Who's In Charge Here?

(Mark 11:1-11, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, September 29, 2019)

[1] Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples [2] and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. [3] If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” [4] And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. [5] And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” [6] And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. [7] And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. [8] And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. [9] And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! [10] Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

[11] And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Mark tells the unusual story of Jesus entering Jerusalem including an interesting detail distinguishing a first and second visit to the temple that we only find in this gospel. Our Lord deliberately fulfills some very important Old Testament passages about the Messiah who was to come. What does the calm confidence and sovereign authority of Jesus at this very dramatic moment so long ago mean for us as we live our lives today?

A small detail

Jesus is drawing near to the place that his disciples were afraid about, Jerusalem (Mark 10:32). Along the way, he would stay at nearby Bethany, where the apostle John tells us the Lord raised his friend Lazarus after the man had been in the grave for four days. We also read here about the Mount of Olives, a place which has its own rich biblical history (2 Samuel 15:30), present (Mark 13:3, 14:26), and future (Zechariah 14:4).

In this preparation for his entry into Jerusalem, Jesus fulfills a small, but important detail in Zechariah 9. It is not just that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey as the prophet had predicted so long ago. More than this, his fulfillment of this seemingly insignificant oracle causes us to look at the surrounding passage in Zechariah 9:9-17. The man who would look humble riding on this beast, is called “your king” who “is coming to you.” He is “righteous and having salvation.” He is not only bringing good news to the Jews, for “he shall speak peace to the nations,” for his kingdom will extend “to the ends of the earth.” The “blood” of his “covenant” will set “prisoners free” who were also referred to by Zechariah as “prisoners of hope.” The prophet's words stretch forward to “that day” when he will fully vindicate “the flock of his people.” This ancient seer looks upon the bounty of a future age, and credits God with everything, “For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!” All this from the little detail of the colt.

Two disciples had to follow this directive to get the animal. “The Lord has need of it.” That was to be their explanation. They also add that he “will send it back here immediately.” They found the colt, untied it, have the very conversation that Jesus suggested would take place, and their words were well received: “They let them go.”

A large salvation

The rest of the disciples also do their part along with a larger crowd. They “threw their cloaks on” the animal, and then many spread their cloaks on the ground. Still others cut down some branches by the side of the road, placing it on the way that Jesus would ride in order to honor the coming king. The Lord himself acknowledges his own agreement with the Zechariah passage by sitting on the colt and riding into Jerusalem.

It is especially significant to read the words that the crowd was “shouting.” “Hosanna!” “Save!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They yell about “the coming kingdom” of the everlasting descendant of “David” (2 Samuel 7:16), and proclaim, “Hosanna in the highest!” speaking of the place of God's eternal dwelling with angelic hosts. A rough equivalent might be, “Save in the heavens!”

Most revealingly, they are quoting Psalm 118:25-26. Again, the immediate context of the quoted passage tells us much more. The psalmist wrote of the suffering and exaltation of the saving king who would also be the Lord. Yet did the crowd remember these words? “Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar.” The psalm ends with these words: “You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

But not today.

Now back to Mark 11. Our final verse, found in Mark 11, reveals a surprising let down. “And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” Driving out the money changers, etc. that we are so familiar with would wait until the next day.

How could Jesus be this calm? How can we be this calm?

Paul's letter to the Philippians gives us some hints. Jesus had a very obedient mind in him. The church is told to “Let this mind be in you.” We are told that Jesus has the power to subdue all things to himself. He is in charge of donkeys, scribes, Pharisees, angels, and adversaries. He is also in charge of us and our lives. Therefore, we are to cultivate a faithful “reasonableness.” The Lord is at hand.

THE POINT: Our Savior calmly and confidently fulfilled prophesy as the Sovereign Lord over all.

Applying these verses:

1. We can have calm confidence in him provided we determine to follow his instructions. What if the disciples had not followed Jesus regarding the colt? Paul found confidence in Christ once he stopped kicking against the goads. There is no peace for those who will not listen and obey.

2. The ancient Scriptures will be fulfilled in every detail. The God who has command over the details will certainly not abandon his eternal purpose. Trust him for his grace.

3. Jesus follows his own perfect schedule. “No” is not a bad answer. Neither is “Not right now.” We need not be in a panic. The Lord is always on time. He knows more about both the big picture and the little details than we do.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 119:73-80 – Let those who fear you turn to me

New Testament Reading—Romans 5:12-21 – Abundance of grace