God's Unfolding Plan

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them (Matthew 21:4-7).

Although Matthew quoted Zechariah (9:9), Daniel (9:25) also addressed the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.

Scholars have determined that from the time of Artaxerxes’ decree to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem to the time the Messiah would be 483 years. That time coincides exactly with the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The plan of the sovereign God revealed through His prophets is always carried out according to the timetable He also revealed through His prophets.

Even at this late date in our Lord’s ministry, the disciples didn’t comprehend the events that they were intimately involved in with Jesus. John 12:16, His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. But the two obeyed the Lord and retrieved the donkey and her foal to Jesus. Mark 11:7 and Luke 19:35 indicate Jesus rode the colt. This doesn’t contradict Matthew because the construction of the verse indicates the ‘them’ is a reference to the disciple’s coats, not the animals. It would be better read, “They brought the donkey and the colt, laid the clothes that were on them (the disciples), and set Him on them,” meaning the clothes on the disciples were laid on the animals and they sat Jesus on their clothes which were on the colt.

As we draw nearer to the time of our Lord’s crucifixion, the more we see the plan of God unfold and fulfilled as it was prophesied centuries earlier. It all began in the Garden of Eden when the Lord said to Satan, I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel (Genesis 3:15). That was the 1st promise of the coming Messiah. It was announced about 4,000 years before Jesus was crucified. Throughout the Old Testament God revealed more of the coming crucifixion of Christ through His prophets. One of the greatest prophecies is The Song of The Suffering Servant, Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12. It was announced about 750 years before Jesus went to the cross. From eternity past the Holy Trinity planned the work of redemption, and for 4,030 years They worked that plan to complete fulfillment.

“What a blessing it is to understand that You, O Lord, are sovereign over all things - time, events, even our salvation. Nothing is accidental or incidental with You. All things work together to fulfill Your work in creation and in each individual life. Bless your holy Name, Amen.”

Pastor