The text this morning is from the Gospel according to John, the twelfth chapter:
The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”Thus far the text.
My dear friends in Christ,
The disciples didn’t get it. The people didn’t get it. The Pharisees didn’t get it. I suspect that there was no one in Jerusalem that day that got it. This is Jesus, riding into the city as a triumphant king, not to rule from the throne, but to die. Everyone else saw what they wanted to see, but they didn’t see the truth.
It was a common picture in the ancient world: a king, victorious from battle, would approach his city and the people would stream out to welcome him. They had been waiting for some news of the war, and finally a messenger would arrive with the great news. And out of joy, the people would be so excited, preparing everything for when their king would return. The watchmen would be on the city walls, never more alert. And when the king’s party would break over the horizon, the call would cry out around the city. The people would be excited, not just for their ruler to come home, but for the protection he gained in his victory. They were joyful, literally joy-filled.
It was no different for Jesus. Having earned His reputation for amazing acts and incredible teaching, the people were excited to receive this man. They would make Him king of Israel, not knowing that He was the King of Creation. Still, the word came to them that Jesus was coming to their city, and so they streamed out of the walls and threw palm branches and their own cloaks down on the road, that Jesus would not have to ride in the muck and mire, but could come into the city clean. They didn’t know He was the purest person they had ever seen.
They welcomed Him as they would have a king, and a King He was. He was riding into the city victorious, on a donkey, a symbol of peace. He would ride in claiming victory already. Though the victory would be finally won five days later, there was never any doubt. Jesus was already victorious over sin, death, and the devil. This act was the very hope of every saint of the Old Testament; they had been looking forward to that day all their lives and trusted that God would fulfill it. And He would; that was the plan for salvation since before the world began. They were smart to put their hope in Him. And every saint since has put their hope in that act, looking back to what was won for them that bleak Friday.
But, it started so wonderfully, that Palm Sunday. The crowds and people were glad to welcome Jesus into their midst, even though the week would be hard. He would clear the Temple on Monday, teach and be betrayed on Tuesday, on Wednesday He rested, He prepared His disciples on Thursday with His new Lord’s Supper and with prayer, He would die on Friday. For all those who welcomed Him into the city with joy, it would be hard to watch and hear all that happened around Jesus this week. But, still, they didn’t get it.
But you get it. You see your Lord setting things right. You see Him preparing a way for you to receive His forgiveness. You see Him bringing Himself to ruin in the eyes of the leaders of the Jews, all so that He might be murdered and win for you salvation. It wasn’t until His resurrection that Jesus made sense to people who would look to Him and the events they witnessed.
But that’s life, isn’t it? That we don’t understand why certain thing happen the way they do until it is often long past. Why are we suffering under this virus? Why is it that the Lord is cancelling for us all our celebrations of Holy Week? Why do those we love languish in fear and trembling? We’re not quick to assign meaning to these things, as our Lord has given us no clear word, but we know that God will work all things for our good, because we love Him. Whatever the reason is, we may know it, but not until all this has passed from us. It may be weeks, months, years even, if ever, but we tend not to understand until at least it is over and done with.
The people were the same as you. While you might welcome a king who can do marvelous things for you, it is much harder to welcome a King who would have you bear up under suffering as He did, a King who demands you give your life over to His purposes. The Pharisees chafed at this, and plotted even more to kill, but they were right. The King entered Jerusalem that Palm Sunday and the whole world went after Him. The world cannot help but follow, even though some may turn away, the King who would save them from their sins. And try as they might, the Pharisees could not stop the plan of God, nor could they stop the joy that followed Jesus from the grave.
Nor can you, nor can the world, nor can this virus, stop the joy that is set before you. We follow our Lord this week as He makes His way to the cross that we might find our joy in Him. We follow Him for He is the bringer of joy. And no matter what else is going on, whether we’re barred from having our services as we desire, whether we’re sick or dying, whether we’re fearful, the joy of Jesus is coming, and it is here now, for you, even as you prepare to receive His crucified body and blood. Your sins are forgiven. What’s more joyful than that? You’ve been given the promise of the resurrection. What’s more joyful than that? You will endure in Christ until the end, when He returns to wipe out all that would steal your joy. What’s more joyful than that?
You get it. You’ve tasted and seen that the Lord is good. He is. And He is here today for you, and He is always with you. He is the joy-bringer, even though He will be beaten and marred this week. He is the joy-bringer, even though you may be fearful or sick or burdened. He is the joy-bringer, and He brings it to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord! Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment