“This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’..The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna! To the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.’ “ –Matthew 21:4, 9 (NIV)
Today throughout Christendom, we celebrate what we call “Palm Sunday.” It is a time of remembrance when Jesus rode in triumph into Jerusalem. Though seated on a donkey, a lowly animal, with clothing and branches of trees spread along His way, it still was a processional of glory because of the adoration of the people and the fulfillment of prophecy.
Have you ever thought about what it might have been like had you been in the crowd that day, spreading palm branches and crying out in a mighty chorus, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” There is such a thing as “crowd psychology.” Some might have joined because it was the popular thing to do at the moment. Here comes a host of people. They are demonstrating in this busy street in Jerusalem. I will join in. Maybe I, too, can be counted in this crowd of followers. Maybe I can find a place when He comes into His kingdom. The quotation of praise was from the prophet Zechariah (See Zec. 9:9). In that context, the praise chorus was in the midst of occupation of Zion by an enemy, much as Rome had Palestine under its power in the day of Jesus. The prediction of the coming of Zion’s King was for military victory and peace. Their salvation on that triumphant day was viewed as an overthrow of oppressors.
On the other hand, had you been in that crowd, would you have been sincere, from the depths of your heart proclaiming Christ’s praise, regardless of the outcome? Were you among those who knew Isaiah’s prophecy? “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering…Surely he took our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isa. 53:3-5 NIV).
But for a few minutes, in a street in Jerusalem, there were shouts of praise and hope, joy and victory. “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.’ ” (Isa. 62:11, NIV).
We know the week of trial and suffering which would come for Jesus, and his death and, gloriously, His resurrection. We stand on this side of the cross. But most of the people who cast the palm branches and shouted with joy in Jerusalem were looking for a lifting of the Roman yoke and restoration of the nation of Israel. How could they know that God had far greater plans in store—plans that would include all nations and all subsequent generations!
As Isaiah so aptly prophesied, there was a reward for those who followed Jesus triumphant, seated on a donkey, coming into His glory: “They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord!” (Isa. 62:12). On this day of remembrance, I will cast not only palm branches before Him, but give Him my very life! This is my reasonable service.
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, March 28, 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment