“Hosanna To The Son Of David!”

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put on their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus put a damper on His own party. On Sunday, He entered Jerusalem as the triumphant king, welcomed into the city by throngs of worshippers, proclaiming He was their king. The healer of the sick and the giver of great wisdom had come, and the masses adored Him.

What changed from praise to hatred? Jesus told the people what they did not want to hear. He threw the money changers out of the temple area. He taught that tax collectors and prostitutes could enter the kingdom of heaven before the religious. He told the people to pay taxes.

This is Jesus. The righteous One. The only perfect Man. God in the flesh. He was not in town to win a popularity contest. His task was to proclaim the truth and provide salvation. And it cost Him His life.

Think about Jesus’ up-and-down week in Jerusalem. Then praise Him for His perfection and His love – love that took Him all the way to the cross.

The nail-pierced hands of Jesus reveal the love-filled heart of God.

Our Daily Bread – March 16, 2008