1/31/14

1/31/14

They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord ! Praise God in highest heaven!" The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. "Who is this?" they asked. (Matthew 21:7-10 NLT)

How does a king announce himself to his people? Is it a a quiet dinner party? Is it to his closest friends? How does a king pronounce that he is the king? A King is crowned, he is anointed, he is announced in a fashion that is grandiose. A country spares no expense on this ceremony, there is a grand procession, chariots, fireworks. A lot of planning and spectacular events happen. But here we are given the vision of a humble king, the King of kings. What a far cry from what Jesus is accustomed to. If this was his throne in heaven, he would have angels spreading their wings before him, the gold carpet would be rolled out before him. Awesome trumpet blasts would sound his coming. This is the unveiling of the creator of the universe coming to take his place as King, and what does he get? He gets a city in uproar. Some believe, some hope, some want him to just go away. He rides into town on a donkey, palm breaches and coats line his path. Where is the scarlet carpet? Where are the trumpeters? Where is the attention that this king deserves? Most were too stubborn to recognize him, some didn't believe, after all, how can a king come from Galilee? This guy is just a son of a carpenter, how can he lead a nation? God had bigger plans than just a nation. God was raising Jesus up to be one king, once for ALL. and he had to come in a humble manner. It's interesting to me that we are reading about the first Passover, right before we get ready to read about Jesus and his disciples sharing that exact meal together in an upper room, where this meal becomes so much more meaningful than the angel of death passing over and not destroying the firstborn. This meal becomes a new covenant. And gives us so much hope in a King that is willing to become the sacrifice. King to sacrifice. All in a week. Think about that.

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