The Sunday before Easter is called: Palm Sunday. We still remember it on the calendar today. Some people think that Palm Sunday is just a reminder Easter is about to be here, but it goes back to one specific day–the Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem during the Festival of the Passover.
“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the King of Israel!’ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: ‘Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.’ At first His disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about Him and that these things had been done to Him. Now the crowd that was with Him when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised Him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that He had performed this sign, went out to meet Him. So the Pharisees said to one another, ‘See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after Him’” John 12:12-19 (NIV)
The Backstory
Jerusalem is on edge. The city is filled to six times its normal size because of the Festival. The Roman troops are on high alert. The average person is waiting for the Messiah, the King to arrive to get rid of the Roman oppressors with force.
For the past three years stories had circulated about Jesus. Most people had one of two views about Jesus: (1) He was not the Messiah. (2) He is the Messiah. In the middle of this powder keg–Jesus rides into Jerusalem. This is one of the worst moves by one of the most incredible liars in human history OR one of the most strategic, calculated, boldest moves of all time.
The disciples had been waiting for Jesus to declare Himself as the King and force the issue with the Romans. They would have been thrilled or terrified because they realized what Palm Sunday meant as Jesus rode into Jerusalem–it was triumph or be smashed by the Romans–as Jesus openly declares Himself King by riding into town.
Jesus the King Forces the Issue
Jesus is very humble but not at all modest. Throughout Jesus' ministry, we see Jesus’ great sensitivity, compassion, humility, and servant’s heart. But also Jesus is not modest. He says: He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. About Himself Jesus made some incredible claims.
He says things like: I’m the King of the Universe. He walks into the Temple and says–This is My house. He says He is God. On every page of the Bible, Jesus keeps forcing His identity on you, His Kingship. He doesn’t quietly slip into Jerusalem. Jesus arrives like He always does–He’s saying: Crown Me or kill Me!
For every person today–Jesus does the same thing. Crown Me or deny Me. He is saying: Ignore Me or serve Me completely. There is nothing in the middle. I won’t be anything if I’m not your King.
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelations 3:15-16 (NIV)
These are scary verses. Be hot or cold. All in or all out. Jesus says this. Worship Me or hate Me. Jesus forces the issue.
Some people would feel as though this idea of Jesus is really extreme. That it is OK to like Jesus, maybe even pray to Him, but not like the idea that He has to be given unconditional surrender or nothing at all. Jesus comes to everyone and says: You have to decide. Unless I’m King–I’m nothing to you. You will not be transformed unless I am King. Crown Me or kill Me.
Jesus the King is Gentle
Put yourself in the disciples' sandals. They are happy that Jesus is finally doing something right–becoming King and taking on the Romans. They are ready to take over and kick the Romans out. The Triumphant Entry is Jesus riding on a war horse right? No.
Jesus’ choice of steed is–a donkey’s colt. The ride of a King is not a little donkey. Who rides on a donkey? A donkey is not the ride of a King–it is the ride of a servant. The disciples had to be thinking: The donkey is not a good look. Why did Jesus do this?
“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.” Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
The picture of Jesus riding on the donkey colt is a visual representation of the Gospel. Sin=is when we put ourselves in the place of the King. Salvation=the King putting Himself in the place of a servant. That is why Jesus is doing this.
Jesus is the King Who Transforms Everything
Jesus is Lord and King. He changes lives. ‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV) Every problem, every conflict, every misery–are all caused by the darkness of sin. What is sin? When the servant puts themself in the place of the King. Christianity is unique of all religions because the King Himself comes and places Himself in the place of the servant.
What do we do? Jesus the King is worthy of our all. He is King–but not a King like you think. He’s come to set you free. He’s come to give you the light of life. He is the King that brings blessing and peace and hope to you. He will set you free.
