Throughout the gospels, Jesus strictly charges the disciples and others not to disclose his identity. His hour had not yet come. Then, one week before the Passover, Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly, seated on the back of a donkey, walking over cloaks and garments and palm leaves spread in front of him by a clamoring crowd who cheered his official public appearance.
"Hosanna!" the throng around him cried. Save us, oh Lord! They rejoiced over him as the Son of David. And yet, they still did not see him clearly. They had seen his power. They had seen his authority. But they didn't understand his full nature and his mission. Jesus is a savior with all power and all authority who says: "The Lord has need of it [the donkey] and will send it back here immediately" (Mark 11:3). What ruler speaks this way? He is a savior meek in his humility who also earlier said "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:20). The meekness in which he came (the first time) had implications for the type of King he was to show himself to be in just a few short days after this triumphal entry. And for the Kingdom he was ushering in. It was a world shattering story twist that still astounds 2,000 years later. As authors who write for the glory of God, can we articulate this story twist well? Do we preach the specifics of the gospel to ourselves daily, as encouragement and shield against fleshly failings and the poisonous darts of the evil one? In our lowliness and our imperfect understanding, we too can shout with joy as we anticipate the conclusion of the story, "Hosanna, in the highest! We pray you save us, oh Lord!" Comments are closed.
|
Books
|