Part 1: The Coming of the King
A couple weeks ago, Hollywood honoured its stars by giving out Academy Awards. This event is a lavishly produced one, full of pomp and pageantry. As you watched, you couldn’t help but notice how every little detail was looked after.
Lights and cameras were set up days before the events begins. As the crowd gathers, stars pull up to the curb in luxurious vehicles, stepping out unto the red carpet that awaits. Every detail is planned to heighten viewers’ involvement.
In describing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, Luke in his gospel understands that details matter. He speaks about the arrival of Jesus, Israel’s long-awaited Saviour.
The triumphal entry, far greater than any movie premiere, begins the journey toward Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. However, Jesus did not have a sleek limousine. He came on a donkey. Luke tells how Jesus instructed two disciples to find a colt that had never been ridden, and what they should say to its owner.
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem that day, the people reacted by spreading their cloaks on the ground before Him, just as Israel had done for another king in the past.
They turned the dusty road into a ‘red carpet’. They praised His miracles. They repeated the words of Psalm 118:26, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
Of course, the Pharisees (proud self-righteous religious leaders) objected to the crowd’s acclamation of Jesus. They wanted Jesus to rebuke His followers. But they were unable to deter them from offering praise to Him. Jesus, the Son of David, from the tribe of Judah, rode into Jerusalem as Israel’s rightful king, just as the prophets had foretold.
And so today, a couple of weeks before Good Friday, as we reflect on what Jesus has done, let us recognize His sovereignty, not by palm branches and by laying our garments at His feet. No, what He desires from us is our hearts.
So, let us lay down our hearts before him, throwing down our wills in absolute surrender, and asking Jesus to govern everything we think, say and do.
Ironically, one week after Jesus rode into Jerusalem, those who had sung praises to Him would join the Pharisees to condemn Him to death. The crowd shouted; “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!”
And so, as you reflect on the cross this Easter Season, consider Jesus “who knew no sin,” yet “became sin on our behalf, in order that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Good Friday, indeed.
In Psalms 116:12-13, the psalmist asked;
What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me? [he answers] I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
Let us with humble hearts and earnest thankfulness, lift up the name of the Lord and give him praise for all that He has done for us. Because the Lord is worthy to be praised. “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”
