“The Servant’s Advent”
Mark 11:1-11
Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!” – Mark 11:9-10
Chapter 11 marks a new section in the Gospel of Mark. Until here, Mark described Jesus’ ministry outside of Jerusalem and mostly in the Galilee. Jesus now entered Jerusalem from the east by way of the Mount of Olives.
From this point Jesus’ ministry will be within the Holy City. The Triumphal Entry recorded in Chapter 11, inaugurates Passion Week, and is a deliberate Messianic act.
The Servant of God, entered Jerusalem lowly and humble, riding on a donkey to fulfill the Messianic prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. It was the first time Jesus received public worship. But here was different because this was the appointed time of His First Coming to fulfill all Scripture. The Servant’s Advent was prophesied by Daniel some 600 years prior, and to the day!
But His First Coming was not what Israel anticipated. They shouted, “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” [Mk 11:10] And that was what they expected, a physical kingdom. They were looking for Messiah to set up a political kingdom that overruled Rome.
They had witnessed Jesus’ rule over wind and sea, over the demonic realm, and over every disease and sickness. They were now ready for Him rule over Rome and usher in the Kingdom. However, in just a few days He would be crucified. This, as we will see in coming weeks, brought confusion to His followers.
The Bible teaches two Comings of Messiah; one to take away the sins of the world, and one to set up a physical Millennial Rule. Mark 11 is the record of His First Coming and He came at the appointed time. We continue to wait for His Second Coming and He will come again at the appointed time.
Two Comings, however, were never understood by Israel, not then and not now. And that is why this portion of Scripture is important to study!
Israel’s own Scriptures prophecy Two Comings of Messiah, and the First is fulfilled in our passage this morning.
