Scripture Reading(s)
Mark 11:1-11
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Reflections
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was triumphant but not necessarily for Jesus. The Jews that welcomed Jesus thought that He was going to enter the great city and setup Yahweh’s eternal kingdom. He would depose the powers of the great harlot Babylon, known as Rome. They believed He would restore the nation of Israel and bring in the end of evil. They shouted “hosanna” which is Hebrew for “save us”. They indeed believed that Jesus would deliver them from Rome.
However, Jesus knew that He would not be conquering Rome. He knew that He was going to suffer and eventually die to take on the sins of the world. It would be a triumph but it would first be pain. Those same people who believed Jesus was going to bring a heavenly war with Rome turned on Him as they realized that He had no intentions on setting up a military operation.
As we approach the end of the season of Lent, let us realize that Jesus not only suffered physically for us but also mentally and emotionally. To have the weight of the world on your shoulders and to know that you would have to suffer a heinous death is a curse that none should have to endure. Yet, He endured it willingly. He willingly gave His life for ours.