The Triumphal Entry

     How fickle could they be?  At one point in Jesus' ministry, He fed a crowd of over 5000.  Soon after that, it was a crowd of 4000.  We always hear of multitudes and so many people around Him that He couldn't tell who touched Him.  The number of His followers would rise and fall.  Early in the book of John it tells of a number of them leaving because of His hard teachings.  Evidently enough left that He questioned His apostles if they also were leaving.  It was Peter who said, "Lord, to whom shall we go.  You have the words of eternal life."  

     Then, all four gospels record an event at the end of Jesus' life.  He comes into Jerusalem for His last Passover riding on a donkey.  He's not the conquering hero that many expect riding in on His white steed to lead the armies of Israel to once and for all defeat this occupying force of Romans.  Yet the 2.5 to 2.7 million people (according to William Barclay) are clamoring for a king.

"Hosanna to the Son of David."

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

"Hosanna in the highest."

"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David."

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord."

"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."

"Blessed os the King of Israel."

     Sounds to me as if they were wanting a king.  Jesus was willing, but not the kind of king they wanted.  He wanted to save them from their sins.  They wanted Him to save them from their captives.  Oh, if they only realized they were captives of their sins.  His offer was much more valuable than the one they wanted.  But they misunderstood.  

     Why did Jesus come into Jerusalem the way He did?  First, I think He was trying to tell them they really didn't want a king in the sense they wanted a king.  They were thinking David or Solomon.  One doesn't have to be much of a biblical scholar to realize the utter failure the Israelite kings were.  Those kings were really a concession from God.  Perhaps Jesus rode into town on a donkey to say, "I'm not like the other kings."  

     But I think the second reason why Jesus came the way He did is a little more subtle.  Right after the account in John some Greeks come to Philip and they ask to see Jesus.  Wait a minute.  Jesus' ministry was for the Jews.  Right?  Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell of Jesus cleaning out the temple right after His entry.  In Mark, Jesus makes this statement.  "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."  Could it be that Jesus was saying to the world, "It is now time for salvation to come to all."?  Neither Jew nor Greek, Slave or Free, Male or Female, but it's open for all!  Jesus ushers in this new age because He knows He has come to die for all.  

     As the disciples meet in Jerusalem after Jesus' resurrection, we find there are only 120 followers.  Wow!  How sad.  Yet, the Bible does say that the road is narrow.  Few will find it.  Not because He restricts it.  But because we are too stubborn to admit our need for a Savior.

    Thank you, Lord, for coming into the city in the way you did.  May you come into our lives the same way.  Humbly.  And I pray that we will be one of those who accepts You for who You are...the Savior of the World.  Our King!