4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,
5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem,
‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
8 Most
of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others
cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!
10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”Matthew 21:1-11
I think it is easy to make our own judgement calls on who WE think Jesus is or Who WE want Him to be, rather than looking into the Truth of the Word. We hear things and assume, or we read Facebook and other peoples' opinions, but do you really know Who Jesus is?
We see two sets of people in the crowd here, as Jesus rides in on the donkey colt. There are those who praised Him and shouted glory to His Name, and there where those who stood there in disappointment, asking "Who is this?"
I honestly believe that there is symbolism here in these two sets of people, which begs two questions:
1) Would you recognize Who Jesus is?
This may see vague or even like an obvious answer to you, but really? In our culture today, where we water down everything, or feel the liberty of being judgemental towards everyone we meet, would you be able to know Jesus in the middle of the crowd? When Jesus rode through on the donkey colt, we read there were questions. We read that people seemed confused. Great Kings in that day rode in on horses, which represented war. But Jesus rode in on a donkey - a colt at that- which is the symbol of peace. There is a reason people were confused and didn't quite understand why this man was considered a "Messiah" - which leads me to my next question:
2) Are you disappointed in Who Jesus is?
Do you have this picture of Who you believe Jesus is in your head? Is it accurate? People had been hearing of this great "Messiah" who had come, and they wanted to see for themselves. Once they got a look at this Jesus people were praising, however, they had to ask Who He was.
I think we all fall guilty of putting Jesus into our own picture. We think of a Jesus Who heals, or a Jesus Who gives us rest, or a Jesus Who provides us with what we want. While Jesus did all of these things and may have in your life (or will) we can't help but note that there are many times God doesn't heal or provide what we want, or give us rest when we think we need it.
I went through that "why" phase. Why would God bring me a newborn, then keep me away from her the first few weeks of her life? It wasn't until I looked back on that and realized that I wasn't relying on the same Jesus that He truly is. If I hadn't experienced that very hard time, I wouldn't be who I am today, and the story I have wouldn't be the same.
We have a SAVING God, not a God Who always keeps life cozy.
Are you believing in what He did and Who He is, or are you believing in Who you WANT Him to be and what you think He SHOULD do for you?
This is a hard question, and will require heavy reflection.
When you aren't provided for in the ways you think you should be, will you still recognize Jesus for Who He is? Will you be disappointed in Who He is?
We see a portion of our life that is so micro in our world. Jesus sees the big picture and knows what you will need down the road and how His glory will carry out. We serve a God Who is so much bigger than us, and Who's plans are always good. Trust Him.
