Isaiah means “the Lord is salvation,” and is a fitting name for the prophet, because he foretold the gospel message in thorough, vivid, accurate detail. No text in the entire Old Testament is more momentous than Isaiah 52:13-53:12. It is a prophecy that begins and ends with the voice of God himself. He calls our attention to a singular individual: (52:13 “behold, my servant…” and (53:11) “The righteous One, my servant.” This servant is the Anointed on of Israel, revealed as the Messiah. We know this for several reasons: 1. These words are a clear echo of Isaiah 42:1 “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” 2. Therefore the introductory words of Isaiah 52:13 makes clear that what follows is a prophecy concerning the Messiah. 3. The entire passage then focuses on the servant of the Lord. The amazing thing about this passage is that it was written hundreds of years before the incarnation of the Messiah in the person of Jesus Christ. It would do your heart good to take the time to read this passage today, and … READ MORE

Jesus’ entire life and ministry were marked by two overriding purposes 1. To do the will of the Father (Matthew 26:39) 2. To fulfill the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah’s first coming (Matthew 5:17) As Jesus began to ride into the city of Jerusalem, on that Monday “Most of the multitude spread their garments in the road” There was a great excitement and ecstasy as the multitude proclaimed praise to the Rabbi from Galilee who taught with such authority and who had healed their diseases and even raised the dead. Jesus was completely surrounded by a mass of humanity. The expectations that He was the Messiah, and would bring deliverance were so great that the crowd became totally caught up in what, from a human perspective, was a frenzy of mob hysteria. The problem was that the people wanted Jesus on their terms, and they would not bow to a king who was not of their own making. Many people today are open to a Jesus who they think will give them what they want. Like the multitude at the triumphal entry, they will loudly acclaim Jesus as long as they believe He will satisfy their selfish desires. But … READ MORE

Matthew 21:1-11 portrays the most significant coronation the world has yet to see. Jesus presented himself to the nation as the King of kings, and he was affirmed as King, in a sense, inaugurated into his kingship. But the ceremony provided no pomp, no splendor, and a nondescript sort of pageantry. Traditionally, this coronation has been called Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It was his last major public appearance before HIs crucifixion and was an extremely important event in His Divine ministry on earth. This is an event that is frequently dramatized but seldom studies carefully or understood for its true significance. Jesus came to be a King, but not just any king, He came to be the King of kings! He presents Himself to the people who were gathered in Jerusalem for Passover to acknowledge that He was their king. At that same moment, history tells us that Pilate entered Jerusalem from the East, with all the pomp that the Roman Legions would allow. Later, when Pilate would ask Jesus, “Are you a king?” Jesus says, “That is why I have come, but my kingdom is not of this world, for if my kingdom was of this world then … READ MORE