And they that were sent went their way, and found even as Jesus had said. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, “Why loose ye the colt,” And they said, “The Lord hath need of him.” (Showing that Jesus was known by the owners.) And they brought the colt to Jesus; and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus theron.” For further study, read Matt. 21 :1 -7, Mark 11:1-7, and also John witnessed the same event as recorded in John 12: 14-16.
These things were all done as a proof that Jesus was glorified before the people as their king. He was riding the ass colt as a type of Kings of old. ( I Kings I:- 33). This was the beginning of the last week of Christ’s mortal life on earth, and this particular Sunday was the day in Jesus’ life when he was acclaimed to be the king of his people.
The common people thought the time had arrived when their hopes of being delivered from Roman rule was here; in their eyes Jesus was their “deliverer.” This thought had been in the minds of the people from Christ’s early proclamation of the truth about God’s plan. We note the statement made after Jesus had fed the five thousand: “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.” John 6:15.
Of special importance is the statement recorded in Luke 19:41: “Jesus came in sight of Jerusalem and beheld the city and wept over it, saying “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” We’ll stop quoting Luke here, because Mark adds more explanation about this first day of the week.
After Jesus entered Jerusalem from the east, he looked around, (no idea how long Jesus and the disciples lingered ), but Mark fills in the record with: “And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple; and when he had looked around about upon all things, and how the eventide was conic, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.- Mark 11:11.
Jesus, with his twelve apostles, were no doubt glad to get back to the “wayfaring house” of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, for this had been a long and tiring day. Jerusalem was a place of excitement and turmoil, for was not this the beginning of the Passover week, the greatest feast time of all the Jewish holidays? Jerusalem was a proud city and the common people longed to be free from Roman rule; the people looked to the morrow with an anxious feeling of expectation. Jesus no doubt was in deep thought as to how he would face the second day of the Passover week. After a good meal at “The House of Simon” Jesus no doubt discussed the events of the day with the apostles and perhaps with Lazarus, Mary and Martha as well.
On the Monday morning (as we know it) Jesus awoke early, for he had to form the plan for the day, and what a day it would be. Following Mark’s account: “And on the morrow, when they (Jesus and party) were come from Bethany, Jesus was hungry; and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon; and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever,” and his disciples heard it.” Mark 11:12-14. This is one act on Jesus part that has brought forth many child-like answers about the fig tree and why it was cursed. Scribes and Priests are represented by the fig tree, they are represented here in fall leaf or fall dress (to represent God), but they were not fruitful, they were “pastors that became brutish and have not sought the Lord.” Jer. 10:21. Someone will ask how this represents the Jews. In Joel 1:7 we find: the enemy hath laid my vine waste and barked my fig tree,” showing that the fig tree represented the Jews.
Jesus knew that this was the day he would challenge the Jews for their “evil doings.” Continuing then with Mark’s account: And they came to Jerusalem; and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves. And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, “Is it not written, my house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Mark 11:15-17, (also Luke 19 : 46).
Jesus knew the Holy Scriptures very well. giving answers to questions by quoting from the old testament scriptures. When he speaks of -the house of prayer” he is quoting Isaiah 56:7. There is no way of knowing just what took place on this day, after Jesus had cleared the temple of the merchants and those that operated a business for profit. The only fact that the writings of scriptures shows forth for sure is found in Mark 11:18: “And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might put him to death; for they feared him, because all the people were astonished (attracted to) at his doctrine.- One can only surmise how the scribes and chief priests were taken by surprise at one so bold in their midst. Imagine how the common people surged about Jesus and were ever so delighted for the present, not knowing that before the week would pass, their loyalty would change and they would support those who denounced Jesus as an imposter.
“And when even was come, he ( Jesus) went out of the city,” (Mark 11:19) with his twelve apostles, returning to the “House of Simon.” While Jesus was conscious of the impending fate that awaited him, during this week, this had been the day that he was a hero in the eyes of the common people.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One