The first road led into Jerusalem and was accompanied by large crowds, great triumph and celebration. The second road led to cries to crucify Him, His sorrow, suffering and death.

When Jesus entered into Jerusalem, He was fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah.

Zechariah 9:9-10 NIV84 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 cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.’

Four hundred years after Zechariah, Jesus the Christ rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. Many thousands of people who had been blind, lame, leprous, and even demon possessed had been healed. They were among the multitudes that were following Jesus. Lazarus being raised from the dead had caused a great stir throughout the region. The chief priests and Pharisees had gathered a council together to determine what they should do. They said Jesus’ words, miracles, healings, signs and wonders were causing everyone to believe in Him. It was after Lazarus had been raised that they sought Jesus and plotted to seize Him and Lazarus and put them to death.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus was at Bethany where Lazarus had been raised. Bethany was a small city on the Mount of Olives just across the Jordan River from Jerusalem. They had made a supper for Jesus; and Martha served, but Lazarus sat at the table with the Lord.

Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair, (John 12:1-5).

Judas Iscariot, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.”

John 12:12-13 NKJV The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!”

Beginning at John 12:12, we are shown Christ’s Triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but very little is said about the Passover crowd. 

The verse says “a great multitude” of people came to the Passover feast in Jerusalem. People from all over the world began flooding into Jerusalem seven days before the Passover. Passover was a great time of celebration for every Jew and the atmosphere was naturally filled with celebration. Josephus, the Jewish historian, estimated that two to three million people were present for that Passover Feast. Some say there were 256,000 lambs sacrificed. A Pascal lamb was offered for every ten to twenty people. This festival and high day of celebration was on Thursday that year. Things were different at this Feast of Passover celebration because the multitudes had heard the report of Lazarus and the appearance of the Messiah. Jesus celebrated the Passover in Jerusalem with His twelve disciples in the upper room.

Many believed that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem to take the throne at this time and rule and reign on earth.

The triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem was not that great day.

Matthew 24:30-31 tells us that day is coming in the future when, “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Old Testament prophets were shown many details about the Messiah, but the people did not have a clear understanding about the time of His coming. Most of the people had no understanding about His death and resurrection. They were looking for a King to come and redeem them from evil and set up an earthly kingdom. That is why they were crying, “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!”

They were ready for the throne, but Jesus was headed to the cross.

The people were crying out: “Hosanna!”

Hosanna has a dual meaning. To many Christians “Hosanna in the highest” means, “We praise you!” or “Praise be to God!” “Hosanna in the highest” has become a high praise. The closest translation of the Aramaic and Jewish text means, “Help” or “Save now, we pray.” The multitude was calling for Jesus to be their Triumphant Conquering King.

“Come and help us!” and “Save us from our oppressors!” They expected Jesus to set up His earthly kingdom and usher in peace on earth. Everyone wants to be free from oppression and tyranny. This is the cry of many people today. We all want freedom and peace on earth.

Jesus was coming into their city to provide salvation and deliverance, but not the way they expected.

John 12:14-15 NKJV Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey, He was dramatically showing everyone that He was the King and Savior.

It is important for us to understand that God’s ways are not our ways, and His timing is not our timing. Every pilgrim in the city was caught up in the excitement. Between Bethany and Jerusalem, the road was lined with crowds of people. They were all crying for their Savior and King. In order to provide that salvation and redemption, Jesus had to go to the cross. He did not come to fulfill the people’s cravings or worldly ambitions. He came to seek and to save that which was lost.

John 12:23 NKJV But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.”

Then Jesus talked to them about His death and the hope that would come.

John 12:27-28 NKJV “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

John 12:31-32 NKJV Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.

John 12:36 NKJV These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

Jesus left Bethany and the house of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. This was the time that the Son of Man was preparing for the cross.

Mark 14:12-16 NKJV Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?” And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.” So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.

After Jesus celebrated that Passover meal with them, He went out to a place that is called Gethsemane to pray.

He took Peter, James and John with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.

Matthew 26:38 NKJV Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

In agony and intercession, Jesus’ sweat became as great drops of blood. Peter, James and John became so weary they were not able to stay awake and after Jesus came to them the third time, He said, “Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

From there Jesus entered into the second road of sorrows.

• In the cover of night, Judas Iscariot and a company of armed men came to take Jesus.

That night they brought Him before the Sanhedrin. They questioned Him, “If you are the Messiah, tell us” but He replied, “If I tell you, you would not believe.” The Jesus said, “From this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”They asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” Jesus said, “You say that I am.” Then they condemned Him of blasphemy.

• While Jesus was being spat on and struck before the High Priest, Peter stood outside in the courtyard.

Before the rooster crowed twice, Peter denied the Lord three times, (Matthew 26:34, 75).

• Friday morning, the chief priests, elders and scribes bound Jesus and delivered Him to Pilate.

• After condemning Jesus to be crucified, they led Him away to the Praetorium where they scourged Him.

Soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head and clothed Him with a purple cloak. They struck Him with a reed on His head, spit upon Him, mocked and stripped Him and led Him out, (John 19:1-3). Pilate said, “I find no fault or guilt in Him,” but the chief priest and officers cried, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” (John 19:6-11).

• And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha, (John 19:17).

That is where the King of the Jews paid the price in full so that you may be saved.

• It was about noon when darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, (Luke 23:44-46).

The veil in the temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this, He breathed His last. He walked the way of sorrows to die on a cruel cross, so that you may enjoy new life and have hope for heaven.