On a donkey

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' The King of Israel!" Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: - John 12.12-14

If you tried to imagine the Great Messiah and Deliverer arriving to free Israel from the clutches of Rome I would guess it would be nothing like what happened in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, We would expect a great conqueror to lead a mighty army though the gates and vanquish the enemy.

The Jews might have figured that we well, but most of them would have known that their Messiah would enter the city on the back of a donkey, but once He was there He would set about delivering them from their oppressors.

I really like the picture here. Jesus didn’t have to enter the city in a charger leading a mighty army. It seems to fit with the Philippians passage that talks about He did not consider His God-hood something He had to cling on to. Instead He entered the world like a servant in meekness and humility. 

Jesus entered Jerusalem just like He enters our heart, not with lights and noise and fanfare, but quietly and meekly. The Jews of Jerusalem welcomed him falsely. They would turn on Him in just a few days.

What do we do with Jesus when He enters our lives? Do we let Him take control, or do we reject His rule in our lives when He doesn’t do the things we think He should do.

Let’s make sure we give Jesus free reign to do things His way, not ours.