As Jesus Commanded

Matthew 21:6-11

So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed isHe who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” 11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Up until this point, Jesus had refused public worship. He told many people to be quiet about His identity as Messiah. He was waiting for the appointed time, and now, that time had come. He sent His disciples to get a donkey so He could ride it into the city and fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy. The disciples went and did just as Jesus commanded. As Jesus entered the city, the multitude spread their garments on the road as a sign of honor given to a king returning in triumph. They were professing their loyalty to Him and declaring His victory through these symbolic acts. They used terms acknowledging Him as Messiah, their Savior. Hosanna means save now, and Son of David is a reference to Messiah. The people even declared Him to be a prophet. His arrival caused the city to rejoice as the news spread that their King had come to deliver them.

When you obey Jesus’ commands, it brings glory to Christ. Since the disciples obeyed Him, He was able to ride into the city as foretold by the prophet. The accolades He received were prophesied by the psalmist in Psalm 118:25-26. The people confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They praised Him as the promised King, and they recognized Him as a prophet. This was a joyous time in Jerusalem all because the disciples did as Jesus commanded. You never know how the Lord might be glorified when you obey Him, even in the smallest of ways. You may not realize how others will respond in praise to the Lord because you did what Jesus asked of you. The city rejoiced seeing Jesus enter riding upon a donkey, and it was made possible because the disciples did as Jesus commanded. Therefore, do all that Jesus commands you to do, and maybe you will be the spark that causes a city to rejoice in praise to the Lord as they recognize their King has come to save them.