Has Jesus ever disappointed you?
Are your plans not working out?
You’re not alone.
We celebrate Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem as “Palm Sunday” because the people threw their coats on the road for a make-shift red carpet, and they tore off palm branches to wave in the air as they yelled, “Hosanna! Hosanna!”
I remember teaching this for a children’s sermon years ago. I was sitting on the front steps of a very tiny Methodist sanctuary. There were a handful of adults in the pews and five or so sets of eyes and little hands and feet sitting around me as I told this story.
I told the kids and the congregation to put on their imagination caps and envision Jesus walking into our church and down the center aisle toward our little gang. I encouraged them to clap and yell as He walked in.
The small crowd clapped and whooped and hollered and gave Jesus their most exciting welcome and praise. I taught this story that day as the one time when all of the people actually recognized Jesus as the Savior and worshiped Him.
But I learned recently (forgive me if this is elementary) that the word Hosanna means save. The people were actually crying out to Jesus:
“Save us!”
” Save us!”
“Save us!”
The teacher who revealed this truth to me cried out passionately as the people would have. She reenacted this scene with such desperation that I could no longer see this as just a moment of praise. They were begging Jesus to save His people from Roman rule.
Jesus, however, didn’t ride into town that day on a strong, white horse–the symbol of war. No, He rode on a colt. This was the sign of peace. As He rode through Jerusalem, the people were begging Him to be their savior, their physical savior who would free them from Roman rule. But Jesus clearly demonstrated His intent.
He did not come to make war but to bring peace.
Can you imagine the people getting angry at Jesus as they realized He was not riding the right kind of animal to save them?
Jesus’ actions spoke loudly to the people, “I have not come to make war.”
I wonder…is that what caused them to yell “Crucify!” just a page later?
Though Jesus rode on a donkey, we know the salvation He did bring was so much greater than what the people wanted. Their request was temporary. His actions were eternal.
Have you been asking Jesus to save you from something, and it seems He is riding a donkey of peace rather than a white horse?
Take heart. Even if His actions do not seem an answer to your plea, believe He has a good plan. Worship Him as the One True Eternal Savior of your soul. He isn’t finished. His actions are perfect for our lives.
[tweetability]Jesus is coming back. When He does, He’ll be riding on a white horse.[/tweetability]
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses, and dressed in fine linen white and clean (Rev. 19:11-14).
What problem do you need to trust Jesus to handle differently than you planned? Can you trust His timing?
See you Friday. We’ll stand at the Cross together with Mary.
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I love that Jesus’ way is always the opposite of the world’s way.
Me too until His way is opposite of mine. Then it’s not as easy at least until I remember how very good and loving He is.