MT 21: 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” 10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
The Passover was the biggest and most important religious celebration among the Jewish people. It was observed annually to commemorate the miraculous escape of the Israelites from Egypt after more than 400 years of slavery. Jesus had been to Jerusalem so many times before to celebrate the Passover. This visit, however, was nothing like he had ever done. It was going to be his very last Passover before his appointed death.
Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem was not quiet, we are told. It had elements of pomp and pageantry — people waving palm braches, shouting their praises, and laying their cloaks as Jesus passed them by.
The popularity of Jesus as a preacher and miracle worker had spread throughout the region. Many had heard about Jesus’ powerful teachings. Many had also been left in awe by his miracles, especially the most controversial and the most mind-boggling one — the raising of Lazarus, his friend, from the dead — which took place in Bethany only two miles from Jerusalem.
So when Jesus entered Jerusalem, he was virtually a celebrity to many. But more than being a celebrity, we must remember that his final entrance to Jerusalem was a fulfillment of a vital ancient prophecy foretold by the prophet Zechariah (9:9): “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” To be stirred means to be moved; to energized, to be stimulated; to be enthused; to be transformed.
We learn a very important spiritual principle that wherever and whenever Christ’s presence is ushered, stirring always takes place. In short, every single time Christ’s presence comes, persons and situations are never the same.
But you see, we also learn from God’s Word that Christ’s presence was welcomed differently by people. For some, the Lord’s entrance in Jerusalem stirred bliss, joy and celebration in their hearts.
For others, however, Christ’s coming stirred cynicism, faithlessness, and hardheartedness. This was captured so vividly with the haughty remark of some who uttered, “Who is this?”
Sadly and disturbingly, there is indeed an increasing haughtiness and cynicism towards the things of the Lord today. Even to this day, the presence of Jesus continues to stir the world.
Just as in those days in Jerusalem, the presence of Jesus continues to elicit different reactions and responses from people. What about us? Does the presence of Christ stir us to deeper faith and greater obedience? Or does the presence of Christ still leave us unaffected and unmoved? Sadly then, many did not truly see the true value and worth of Christ’s coming.
Four days after that triumphant entrance — on the night of the Passover, the Jewish supreme court conspired with the Roman government to have Jesus arrested in the garden of Gethsemane for blasphemy. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. In a matter of hours, Jesus was brutally tortured.
The following day, a mock trial was conducted by the Roman government. Under strong pressure from influential Jewish religious leaders, Jesus was executed via crucifixion for the crime of treason, for allegedly stirring rebellion among the Jewish by claiming to be King.
But according to the glorious purposes of God, the body of Jesus rose from the dead three days later. The disciples never truly believed it would happen, but it did, just as Jesus said, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” (Mark 9:31)
9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” A statement of faith is a declaration of confidence. It is also a proclamation of trust. It is an announcement of conviction and certainty.
We must remember that as Jesus entered Jerusalem, the prophetic voices of his disciples and followers rose up. Although these voices were drowned by the pride of many, their statement of faith proved to be true.
Hosanna was a famous old testament declaration which was lifted from Psalm 118. Hosanna was a proclamation of God’s work of salvation among his chosen people. The word Hosanna literally means “save now”. Interestingly, the original meaning of the word hosanna connotes a sense of urgency, a sense of priority, and a sense of necessity.
You see, there are people who, because of false pride and extreme self-sufficiency, think that God’s salvation is something they can live without. They get the surprise of their lives when an unexpected tragedy comes like a financial meltdown; loss of a stable job; breakdown of a relationship; a personal failure; a sickness of a loved one; or even an experience of pain and rejection.
Suddenly, they are hurled to a realization of their need for God’s help and salvation.
As in the days of Jesus, may we also realize the necessity and urgency of such a task. In a world that has become more and more volatile, and in a time where true security and genuine stability are elusive, we fix our eyes on Christ and hold on to his love and power.
As we observe the Holy week, may we find it in our hearts to welcome Christ’s fresh visitation; let us allow his presence to stir our hearts to truth and righteousness. Let us allow his Spirit to empower us so that can hold on to our faith and proclaim in — with much authenticity, credibility and utmost sincerity.
