Luke 19:28-40 - The Journey to Jerusalem
Luke 19:28After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” 39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
The Setting: All four of the Gospels record stories surrounding Jesus’ final entry into the city of Jerusalem. The accounts differ in many details and the ‘Palm Sunday’ story that many of us have in our heads probably comes from combining elements of all the accounts. In Luke, the band of disciples is approaching Jerusalem just at the point where the road begins to descend into the city. It is a very dramatic scene. Imagining it, we cannot help but remember how Jesus so recently lamented over Jerusalem, declaring God’s great love for the city and its people. Now he goes, as Love itself, into the city he loves knowing that he will likely die for it and for the people.
What Does This Text Have to Do with Palm Sunday? There are several things that are different in Luke’s account from the stories we usually think of first. Luke does not record the spreading of palms or branches, the shouting of Hosanna or the gathering of a large crowd that would, within a week, turn from singing praises to calling for Jesus’ death. That omission is intentional. He wants us to focus on a different aspect of the story. Palm branches and shouts of Hosanna were the expected response to the return of a conquering war hero. Luke’s messiah is a different kind of ruler, one who comes in lowliness and peace. Remember that in Luke it is the lowly shepherds to whom the angels declare Jesus’ birth. It is they, and not wise ones from the East who search for the baby at the palace (Matthew) who search for the holy child. In Luke’s triumphal entry story the great crowds might not have recognized how different Jesus was from their expectations, but Jesus’ disciples, at least most of them, did. Instead of symbols of war…palm branches, shouts of “Save Us” and a quick young horse…Jesus rides a donkey, a humble animal not fit for war, and his people lay down their cloaks before him. In this symbolic action, the disciples lay aside all trappings of status and prestige to praise God for sending One who comes to save as a servant. Notice also that in Luke, the setting is more subdued. The praises come from his followers in thanksgiving for past acts of mercy, not for some grand vision of future deliverance.
What is the Role of the Pharisees? We don’t know. Perhaps they were offended by Jesus and wanted to stop his ride and message. Perhaps they were concerned that too wild a reception would alert the Roman authorities and cause trouble. In either case, Jesus silenced them.
Word Study
Vs. 29 – Bethpage – little is known about this town. Apparently it was about 1 mile from Jerusalem in the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives.
Bethany – about 2-3 miles from Jerusalem in the southeastern slopes of the Mount of Olives. This was the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
Two disciples – this was his advance team. Apparently two disciples went ahead to prepare the way whenever he went into a new town. They were his advance team.
Vs. 30 – colt – this is the word for a young male donkey.
Never been ridden – This meant that the animal was suitable for a sacred purpose.
V. 33 – the owners – presumably these were people who were already disciples and agreeable to this arrangement. They didn’t protest or file theft charges.
Vs. 35-36 – throwing cloaks – this was a sign of humility and divesting of status.
Vs. 37 – whole multitude of the disciples – this was a relatively small crowd. We know from secular historical writings of the time that the crowd was not large enough to attract Roman attention. The rather grand language here could refer to the magnitude of what was about to happen. We just don’t know for sure.
Vs. 38 – king – a Messianic title, although used in an unusual way. This is king of peace and not a warrior.
Peace and glory – Here the disciples are recognizing that the peace and glory that are promised are already realized in heaven. It is from that peaceful and glorious realm that this new king comes.
Vs. 40 – stones – There is ample evidence in scripture that all of creation is involved in both the fall from grace and the restoration of salvation. If humankind will not do its part, then the created order itself will take up the charge.
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. What do you have that the Lord might need? How might you put that resource into God’s use? Are there things that would be hard for you to give to God?
2. What are some of the trappings of status that you need to lay down to ‘follow Jesus to Jerusalem?’
3. Is it ever hard for you to speak about your faith or the things that you believe really matter to God? In what circumstances is it hardest? What makes it easier? What aspects of faith are most difficult to declare?