“And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.””
Have you ever expected something to go one way…only to have it turn out completely different?
Maybe it was a date or a job or a visit to the doctor. I’m not saying that it had to be negative. Maybe you expected it to go badly, but it went amazingly well.
That happens a lot in life. And it happened when Jesus entered Jerusalem.
As Jesus approaches the city, everything starts to look like a royal arrival.
People spread their cloaks on the road and praise God with loud voices. They rejoice as Jesus comes into the city. It looks like a king is arriving. And He is, but not the kind of king they expected.
The people were looking for a king who would bring political freedom and establish power and control with Israel on top.
But Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. He did not come to take a throne in Jerusalem.
He came to take up a cross.
That’s easy for us to see now. But at the time, many didn’t understand. The signs were already there, though, on Palm Sunday.
Jesus came as a King who comes in humility on a donkey, a beast of burden and animal traditionally associated with peace.
Jesus came to sacrifice and save. That’s why He rides into Jerusalem the way He does; not in power and force, but in gentleness.
Jesus’ victory will not come through strength of arms. It will come through suffering and sacrifice. He defeats the enemies of Satan, sin, and death by dying on the cross.
Unlike earthly kings, King Jesus didn’t demand gold from his people. He came to give forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Everything He does as He enters Jerusalem is leading to that moment where He will lay down His life for the world.
That is your King. He is a King you can trust with your life and everything you have.
As we finish this first part of our journey and enter into Palm Sunday, we join the voices of those who praised Him.
But we do so knowing something they did not yet fully see. We know where this road leads.
The coming of the long-promised Messiah and King of the Jews didn’t go the way Israel expected. It ended up being so much better, not just overcoming earthly armies, but death itself and not just lasting a life-time but for all eternity.
Let’s pray…
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Your Son, our King, who came in humility to save us. Help us to see Him clearly and to trust in Him as our Savior. As we enter into this Holy Week, prepare our hearts to remember His sacrifice and to rejoice in the salvation He has won for us.
Amen.
As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:
After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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