10/2/10- Matthew 21:10,11 Who is This

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

(Palm Sunday Procession in Temple- James Tissot 1848-96)

Thoughts: Who stirred the city?  Not merely rumors, but the Holy Spirit was stirring the people up to respond.  Jesus entered Jerusalem as the king on the donkey prophesied in Zechariah (9:9).  The children were calling him the Son of David.  The whole capital city was wondering who is this being called a king of the line of David.  The prophet was being called a king.  In our day, we do not need people to ask who some minister is, or who some politician is, or who some celebrity is.  In our day the thing that stirs a city are sports events or terrorist plots.  But here the prophet was fulfilling an ancient prophesy.  Our prayer should be that people ask, "Who is this man Jesus?"

Prayer: Lord, may those around us ask who you are.  May they seek you and find you.  May our lives, our praise all point to you as our king and our prophet.
 
John Calvin abridged: Matthew tells us that the city was moved in order to let us know the procession did not take place in secret. Christ's enemies were restrained from opposing this event out of secret fear of the crowds. Matthew shows us the careless indifference of the city.  Their question implies they were certainly not followers of Christ.