Jesus Comes to Jerusalem!
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Reflection:
Today marks the beginning of the Passion Week, as Jesus enters into Jerusalem very publicly knowing what awaited him. There are several details noteworthy as Jesus makes his way to the home city of Jerusalem. Most importantly we see the humility of our Lord, who has emptied himself along the way, and will show us this today as well by:
1. Requesting and riding on a colt, a beast of burden, rather than a warhorse. Jesus rode on a young colt never ridden before, it had never bore and burdens. Ironically, Jesus was the only Son of God, who would bear our burden on the cross. This was a fitting symbol for Jesus' ascent to Calvary.
2. As one commentator has remarked, "Christ went upon the water in a borrowed boat, ate the passover in a borrowed chamber, was buried in a borrowed sepulchre, and here rode on a borrowed ass. Let not Christians scorn to be beholden one to another, and, when need is, to go a borrowing, for our Master did not. He had no rich trappings."
3. This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 which said, "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This detail is mentioned in Matthew, which is targeted at a more Jewish audience.
At the end of the day though, in humbling himself, God lifted His Son up as the people sang his praises singing, "Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of The Lord!"
As followers of Jesus, we should also humble ourselves, looking not to serve but be served. If the Son of God could ride in on an donkey, we can seek to have the same attitude of humility. Where are you tempted to be prideful? What would it look like for you to develop more of a servant-like attitude in the everyday things of life? Who can you serve today?
Jesus we thank you that you set an example of humility. Help us to humble so ourselves, so in due time you will lift is up. Amen. time
11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Reflection:
Today marks the beginning of the Passion Week, as Jesus enters into Jerusalem very publicly knowing what awaited him. There are several details noteworthy as Jesus makes his way to the home city of Jerusalem. Most importantly we see the humility of our Lord, who has emptied himself along the way, and will show us this today as well by:
1. Requesting and riding on a colt, a beast of burden, rather than a warhorse. Jesus rode on a young colt never ridden before, it had never bore and burdens. Ironically, Jesus was the only Son of God, who would bear our burden on the cross. This was a fitting symbol for Jesus' ascent to Calvary.
2. As one commentator has remarked, "Christ went upon the water in a borrowed boat, ate the passover in a borrowed chamber, was buried in a borrowed sepulchre, and here rode on a borrowed ass. Let not Christians scorn to be beholden one to another, and, when need is, to go a borrowing, for our Master did not. He had no rich trappings."
3. This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 which said, "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This detail is mentioned in Matthew, which is targeted at a more Jewish audience.
At the end of the day though, in humbling himself, God lifted His Son up as the people sang his praises singing, "Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of The Lord!"
As followers of Jesus, we should also humble ourselves, looking not to serve but be served. If the Son of God could ride in on an donkey, we can seek to have the same attitude of humility. Where are you tempted to be prideful? What would it look like for you to develop more of a servant-like attitude in the everyday things of life? Who can you serve today?
Jesus we thank you that you set an example of humility. Help us to humble so ourselves, so in due time you will lift is up. Amen. time
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