Jesus’ disciples believed that He was the Messiah the prophets predicted would come and for who’s appearing the people of Israel had waited for hundreds of years. One of the roles of the Messiah is that of King. The disciples were convinced that Jesus would openly declare Himself as King and inaugurate His kingdom when He went to Jerusalem.
The disciples were correct that Jesus was the Messiah and a king. The question was, what sort of king would Jesus be? Jesus had already taught His disciples that the way to attain greatness is through service. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus had a opportunity to demonstrate this. In chapter 10, verses 46 through 52 of the Gospel account which bears his name, John writes, “They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still, and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus on the way.”
By calling Jesus the ‘Son of David’, it is evident that Bartimaeus, as well as the disciples, regarded Jesus as the King who’s coming the prophets predicted. The title points to the promise God made to King David, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16 NIV) Jesus did not rebuke Bartimaeus for calling Him ‘Son of David’. By accepting the title Jesus acknowledged that He was the promised King.
Though Jesus did not rebuke Bartimaeus, the crowd tried to silence him. Perhaps they thought it was inappropriate for someone to interrupt a king. Bartimaeus would not be silenced. He shouted all the more. He understood the nature of King Jesus better than the crowd. He had confidence that Jesus would listen to his petition. His confidence was not misplaced. Because of his faith, Jesus granted his request and healed him. Upon being healed, Bartimaeus followed Jesus. It is worth noting that Jesus is still a compassionate King today. He is still willing to hear our petitions when we cry out to him. Scripture says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV) The question is whether we have the courage to call out to Jesus like Bartimaeus or whether we will let the indignant crowd stifle our cry.
It is amusing that when Jesus called Bartimaeus the attitude of the crowd changed. The same people who tried to discourage Bartimaeus now encouraged him. It seems like they were more concerned about trying to curry favor with Jesus than about Bartimaeus’ needs. Are we so concerned about trying to look good that we forget about serving?
Shortly after this incident Jesus gave another indication about what sort of king He was. In chapter 11, verses 1 through 11, Mark writes, “When they came near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him, and bring him. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs him;’ and immediately he will send him back here.” They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him. Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?” They said to them just as Jesus had said, and they let them go. They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. Many spread their garments on the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees, and spreading them on the road. Those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.”
Most rulers don’t hesitate to take what they want. Though Jesus did not hesitate to make use of someone else’s property when He needed it, the difference between Him and other kings is that He promised to return it. He was not the kind of ruler who despoils and loots His subjects.
But why did Jesus choose to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt? Surely a warhorse would have been more appropriate for a great king to ride? What Jesus did was the fulfillment of a prophecy. The prophet Zechariah wrote, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” (Zechariah 9:1-10 NIV)
Contrary to what many of Jesus’ disciples thought, He did not come to establish a political kingdom who’s armies would defeat the Romans and conquer the world. Instead, Jesus came to rule people’s hearts. He came to persuade rather than force. His was a mission of reconciliation and peace rather than one of conquest. He came to win people over with love rather than make them submit. He came to set people free rather than enslave them. His kingdom is of the spirit rather than physical territory. “Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”” (Luke 17:20-21 NIV)
Jesus accepted as His right the shouts of the crowd welcoming Him to Jerusalem as King. He went in triumphal procession to the Temple – the center of Jewish religious life and the embodiment of Jewish nationalistic fervor. Then, He did a surprising thing. Instead of proclaiming the beginning of His reign or making an impassioned speech to the crowd, He merely looked around and quietly left the city.