Jesus humbly approaches every day in the same way he humbly approached Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.
There is something that happens during the playoffs in all sports. The anticipation of the game by the fans happens days in advance, and of course, there is so much excitement as people pile around the television to see their team come away with a win. Although you can feel some of the excitement through the television, there is a whole other experience when you are actually at the game, in the stadium, anticipating the start. If you’ve ever been to a playoff game you can place yourself at this moment where the game is about to start and your team comes rushing onto the field. The roar of the crowd rushes over you and you can feel the energy pulsing through your body, everyone has anticipated this moment and now it has come.
That is what I imagine the crowd being like when Jesus rides through from Mount of Olives down through the Kidron Valley and up to Jerusalem – the King has arrived! The wait is over and here Jesus comes as a beacon of hope and a fulfillment of all the promises that have handed down from generation to generation. But wait, the King is not coming in on a symbol of power and prestige, he’s coming into Jerusalem to establish his Kingdom on a…donkey. What!? The creator of the universe, the Son of God, the King of Kings is coming in on a donkey? And, as you can imagine, in the midst of so much excitement and energy pulsing through the crowd there are those standing back confused and frustrated that Jesus isn’t the King that they wanted or at least not displaying his power the way that they thought he should. How would you have reacted seeing Jesus coming in to take his throne riding on a donkey?
As we arrive at Jerusalem with Jesus, the question presses upon us. Are we going along for the trip in the hope that Jesus will fulfill some of our hopes and desires? Are we ready to shout a song of praise, but only as long as Jesus seems to be doing what we want?
Jesus humbly approaches every day in the same way he humbly approached Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. And what’s crazy is that his power is on display through his act of humility. Jesus gives us plenty of time to sort out our motives for following him. Are we ready not only to spread our cloaks on the road in front of him, to do the showy and flamboyant thing when everyone is watching but also now to follow him into trouble, controversy, trial and death?
