Jesus’ Triumphal Entry – Past or Future?
This article was guest authored by: 
Cornelius Stam, Pastor
Tags: 
Palm Sunday
King on a donkey
regal?
The Cross comes first

Did our Lord actually ride in triumphally into Jerusalem to become King of the Church? Or, is His true triumph still yet 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). This was just a few days before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion,

Surely this was not a very regal sight! Once before, when He “… perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. (John 6:15 (KJV)

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! But then he describes Messiah’s entrance as: “Lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass” (Zech.9:9).

At Jesus’ entry, “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Luke 19:41 (KJV) 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. Apostate Israel had made it “a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21:13) No! this was not Jesus’ triumphal entry.

How different the symbolism! Note the contrast between His first and yet future coming:

  • Once He came meek and lowly, and “having salvation.”
  • Then He will come, “in righteousness doth He judge and make war.”

Look at Him, meek, lowly, riding on an ass’s colt, and then see Him coming again as Revelation 19:11-16 describes it.

  • Once He came riding “an ass’s colt.”
  • Then in His 2nd coming; “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 at the end of the Tribulation period, to then 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.

“(Jesus) Who was delivered for our offences (Sins), and was raised again for our justification (to be our right standing before God).” (Romans 4:25 (KJV)