Read:
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt,[a] the foal of a beast of burden.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-6)
Reflect:
As I write this Covid-19 is sweeping across the world. Here in the United States, it’s expected the worst days are ahead. The last few weeks of social distancing have been challenging and it’s expected to get worse. We wait, hoping for help to arrive. Can you imagine what it will be like when it comes?
Nearly 2000 years ago people were just as desperate. It wasn’t a virus that was spreading. It wasn’t an air born disease, but one inherited at birth. Sin sickness spread over the land. The hope of the people wasn’t just for a vaccine, but for a victorious Savior. The gospels record the response of the people when a Savior came to town.
8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Hosanna! This cry is from Psalm 118:25. “Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success.” Over the years Hosanna became not simply known as a cry for help, but a declaration of deliverance. “Salvation! Salvation has come. Hosanna! Jesus saves.”
Salvation rode into town on a donkey that day. Not necessarily the mode of transportation that you or I might expect, but it was a royal ride indeed. Some were filled with awe, saw their deliverer, and worshiped while others wrestled with questions. “And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”
“Who is this?” Or, simply, who is Jesus? It’s the most significant question you’ll ever answer. So, who is Jesus? This week as we journey through the last days of his life, may you find the answers to your questions. May you find Jesus. Salvation has come. Hosanna.
Respond:
If Jesus is your Savior, praise Him, worship Him, and give Him thanks.
If you’re asking, “Who is Jesus?” ask God to open your eyes and help you to find the answers to your questions.
Love you, church.
Pastor James