Mark 11:1 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples,

If Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem was triumphant on Palm Sunday, what went wrong less than a week later? Why did the crowds who adored Jesus on Sunday, turn on him by Friday of that week? And what choice does Palm Sunday present to us today?

We all go into Palm Sunday in our churches looking at the celebration of that day. Palms are waving and people are throwing down their coats to the ground hailing King Jesus. The man who was going to rid Roman Rule and excessive taxation with unjust ruling was Jesus.

The only problem with this view is Jesus came riding on a donkey, which was a young colt. There were two entries on Jerusalem that day. Jesus on a colt on Palm Sunday, and Pontious Pilate came in on a steed with an army following him.

Pilate was showing his military might and strength. Jesus was showing the opposite. Jesus was humble. He embodied peace and tranquility of Shalom which is what God brings to his people.

The people saw Jesus’ leadership in his final week to be disappointing. He was not the King David they expected. They were seeking this powerful king. That is why they were chanting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David.’ That was the King they expected.

To a point I thing we are still looking for that King who will rid the world of starvation, cancer, death, and pain.

Here is the bottom line for us today. We will make a choice each day to choose power and might, or we will choose love. We will make a choice to choose the way thing are done over the way God intends them to be. Which will you choose? What kind of King do you expect?

Strength and Courage

Michael