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"Who is this?" The confusion before the clarity
Different reactions to Jesus. Most of them wrong.
Andrew Heddle
April 01, 2025
Meditation
Hi there,
As we work through the last week of Jesus' life in this series, we'll continue to see reactions to him that are microcosms of how people have reacted to Jesus through the ages.
But no other passage is as dense with reactions as today's. We see pretty much everything: worship (real and maybe false), misunderstanding, and indifference. They are all here in this short passage.
Reflecting that we either celebrate him for what we hope might give us, reduce him to simply a prophet or teacher, or shrug our shoulders with indifference or even scorn (he is, after all, only from Nazareth.)
Everyone sees something in Jesus today, and some are genuinely excited, but maybe all misunderstand. His crucifixion and resurrection will bring clarity—and, with them, true victory and joy.
The passage title is "Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King," but most don't see that yet. These are exciting lines to copy out and also portend more grueling passages to come before the title becomes clear to all.
Today's text is Matthew 21:6-11
Today's lines are in black and red. Yesterday's are in gray and are provided for context.
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them,
“Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.
8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Encouragement
"Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Zechariah 9:9
Andy
God’s Word In Your Hand