Luke begins the look at Holy week with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. This was the most difficult journey that the Lord embarked upon in His ministry. Jesus knew every step in the playbook. He had seen it since before the creation. It is a very telling hint for us when Jesus sends His guys to retrieve the colt. The detail of where to go and what to say; reminds us that this video had replayed many times in the Lord’s thoughts.
Then, as Jesus started into the city, the crowds welcomed Him as a conquering hero. We must not miss the irony of the colt. Conquering heroes paraded in on beautiful chargers with banners waving and trumpets blaring. Conversely, when a king came in peace, would he do so on a colt, non-descript. Still, the crowds roared and pronounced Jesus’ arrival. While His men basked in their celebrity, Jesus felt the anguish of His coming fate, and the fate of His chosen ones. Still, He proceeded into Jerusalem, knowing that He would soon complete His mission. Jesus was prepared suffer the pain, humiliation, and separation from the Father.
It is that sacrifice that redeemed us. Jesus, as the old hymn reminds us, could have called 10,000 angels to stop the trial and crucifixion. He did not. In exchange, the Lord simply asks us to trust and follow Him. Jesus knew all about our lives and all our issues even as the Father proclaimed, “Let there be Light!” We cannot shock or surprise the Lord. We can, however, follow Him and experience peace and an abundant Life here on earth; as well as, an eternity with Him in Glory. What a great gift, and what an amazing promise.
God Bless You
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Walking With God 