Today, the triumph of Christ entering Jerusalem, the fulfillment of divine promises, and the beginning of Holy Week are topics. Jesus coming to the Temple was in accordance with the pattern of things in heaven. Jesus already had visited Jerusalem and the Temple for many of the feast days commanded through Moses. Since his baptism at the Jordan River and consecration by the Spirit of GOD, Jesus also had preached to many crowds, and performed many exorcisms, healings, and miracles. In what would be the final days during his ministry on the earth, there were still many unanswered questions regarding the sacred identity for Jesus of Nazareth: was he a true prophet in the historical tradition that GOD had ended 400 years before with Malachi? was Jesus the true heir to the throne of David? and was he the anointed ruler that Moses proclaimed would come? Among the multitude that gathered and cast palm branches before him to carpet his way, there were many eyewitnesses and recipients of his anointed ministry from various cities and towns for whom there no longer was any controversy. Their response was to willingly rejoice, and to praise glorifying GOD. Only Jesus himself was certain the week would end with his death on the cross.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And as they were eating [their meal commanded by Moses to celebrate Passover], Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26: 26-28, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Restoring the Divine Presence? (03/09/2017); Divine Meanings and Values? (03/31/2016); Sacred Events Were Dismissed? (11/05/2015); Messiah and the Unthinkable? (09/25/2015); The Lamb of GOD (08/19/2015); Palm Sunday (04/14/2014); Self-control and Law (04/15/2014)
The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was a nonverbal event (we say, actions, a prophetic demonstration, a sign, works) to confirm the fulfillment of longstanding promises and prophesies from GOD. Included were establishment of an everlasting kingdom (i.e., the government of GOD, rather than another earthly political domain), a new covenant relationship for Israel and all mankind as well as the provision of atonement, a new High Priest, and the new testament in the blood of Jesus. While many in the crowd that greeted Jesus also hailed him as their king, the King of Judea (the King of the Jews), Jesus had carefully avoided becoming known as a political figure. Consider again the following points from the holy writings:
(1.) 2nd Chronicles 13: 5, King James Version (KJV): 5 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?
(2.) Isaiah 9: 6-8, KJV: 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 8 The LORD sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
(3.) Jeremiah 31: 31-33, KJV: 31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(4.) Hebrews 7: 11-16, KJV: 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
(5.) Hebrews 7: 21-26, KJV: 21 (For those priests [the line of Aaron] were made without an oath [a pledge from GOD]; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
(6.) Hebrews 9: 11-16, KJV: 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (7.) Hebrews 12: 22-25, KJV: 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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