IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Date: Sep. 16, 2026

Passage

Matthew 21:1-11

The Triumphal Entry

21:1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5   “Say to the daughter of Zion,
  ‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
    humble, and mounted on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 21:9

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Israel was celebrating Passover, their highest holiday. This visit to Jerusalem would fulfill all the hopes and prayers of Passover (20:17-19). What did Jesus, Son of David, choose to do?

Jesus chose to fulfill what was spoken of through the prophet (4) by entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Isa 62:11; Zech 9:9). King Jesus is gentle and humble but also has authority. He sets his disciples on a task to test their faith and to teach them to trust that “the Lord needs it.” Their participation echoes what it means to serve our king today.

The symbolism of the donkey was not lost on the disciples or the people. As they spread cloaks and branches on the road (8), they shouted out the words of Psalm 118:26. They were crying out from their need for a Savior: “Save us!” These people suffered nationally, locally, and in their families. Seeing King Jesus willingly come to them filled them with great joy. In contrast, the city folk were not impressed by this rabble. They could not reconcile the idea of a Messiah with the humility of Nazareth of Galilee. Jesus’ coming brought them no joy. They thought they knew better who their king should be and what he should do.

Prayer: Father, in my struggle often I want a king who will bless me and bring justice swiftly. O Gentle and Humble King, Save us! I trust your ways to resolve this according to your plan, not mine.

One Word: Find joy by trusting in our Savior King

Daily Bread

Unlawful Sexual Relations

Leviticus 18:1-30

Key Verse: 18:5

You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.

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