To Fulfill
Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11
This morning begins the week leading up to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. The devotionals this week will focus on the events of each day of that week.
Today is referred to as “Palm Sunday” because the crowds waved palm branches as Jesus rode a colt into the city of Jerusalem. Throughout his gospel, Matthew homes in on how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. This text is no exception.
In verse four he tells us “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet…” He is specifically referring to Zechariah 9:9 and goes on to quote it in verse five. Matthew aims to foster believing faith in the hearts of his readers by demonstrating that Jesus the Son of God and Savior, evidenced by the way His life and death fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.
Many of the people who were caught up in the excitement of the moment and cried “Hosanna to the Son of David,” would turn against Jesus within a week and be among those shrieking out “Crucify Him, crucify Him” the following Friday morning. Judas walked alongside Jesus that day as well. In a few days, he would treasonously betray Jesus for a bag of silver coins.
This was so disorienting and disconcerting to the disciples that they fled in fear from the Garden when Jesus was arrested. What seemed on Sunday to be the climactic moment of Jesus' ascension to His rightful place as King, devolved into the chaotic moments of His humiliation.
Chaos would be a good description of the state of the disciples' hearts. The promises of God, which all seed to be coming true, suddenly looked impossible to fulfill. Texts like this remind us not to judge what will be by what is. This present chaotic moment is not what decides the future. God does that. God uses events that seem like insurmountable walls that bar Him from keeping His promises as mere steps to the end for which He has made all things.
To paraphrase Matthew, it is all taking place to fulfill what God has promised and decreed to happen.
Looking forward to the week! Thank yo u for sharing the Truth!