By Monday, the party was over. The upcoming Passover Feast would commemorate the deliverance of the Children of Israel from Egypt. That particular Passover also marked the closing period of Christ’s earthly ministry.
Jesus entered the very stronghold of His enemies when he came to Jerusalem. On Friday night and Saturday He stayed at Bethany, the home of Mary and Martha. On Saturday night a feast was given in His honor by Mary. On Sunday morning Jesus sent two of His disciples to a village to bring Him a donkey colt tied there. The disciples placed their garments on it and seated Jesus thereon.
Soon the multitude gathered. They knew He was announcing Himself as King. Soon they were chanting Psalm 118, and shouting Hosanna. “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9). The city was moved. Yesterday, we celebrated this welcome as Palm Sunday.
And yet, because of the wickedness of the human heart and the frailty of the human soul, this same Jesus, in less than a week, was killed with no one to own His cause or protect His name. They found fault because He ate with the lowly. They misquoted Him and made false reports about Him. These led to death-plotting, aggravated by every kindness He did, every good deed He performed, every soul He relieved of suffering. At last, the suffering and the sin of the World was laid on Him and in the fullness of time the King humbled Himself to the death of the cross. In that majestic, yet terrifying hour, He paid the ransom price for sin in His own body.
How strange for a nation to kill its King instead of acclaiming Him. This king had done nothing worthy of death. Even Pilate protested repeatedly, “I find no crime in this man.”
When Our Lord rode to Jerusalem, He knew the hour of His destiny had arrived. There would be no more throngs eager to hear the words of His teaching. No more tenderly anointed feet lovingly dried with the long hair of a grateful sinner. No more feeding 5,000 with the lunch of one small boy. No more walking on the water. That part of His life was ended. He steadfastly advanced toward the cross.
Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday. We remembered the crowds, and the acclamation. We saw Jesus, about to lay aside His servant-king robes and accept the role of the Lamb. He rode that colt of a donkey into Jerusalem and began the week-long journey through the horror and degradation of the Cross, to the final victory, the triumphant Resurrection. And, beloved, He did it all for us. As we go through this week, let's focus on that love - the love for us that took Him to the cross.
Almighty God, Who sent His only Son to be our example, our teacher, and our Savior, give me the faithfulness not to follow the whim of the crowds around me. May my praise be genuine and unwavering, not dependent upon the opinions of those around me. Help me to realize the magnitude of the sacrifice Jesus made for me and may I live my life accordingly. Amen
Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
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