The Grand Exit
Someone had to know what Jesus' plan was in entering Jerusalem, don't you think?
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'" They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. - Mark 11:1-11
The owner of the colt had to know something, right?
And where did the crowd come from? They had to be expecting something, since they had cutr branches in the field and laid them before him. They couldn't have just happened to be surprised when they saw Jesus arriving like a king.
They were there for the Passover, so it was perfect timing. People who knew of Jesus had come from all around. They expected to see him. Timing was perfect for the response Jesus got.
It was like a flash mob today.
And imagine how it looked for Herod, whose entrance into the city was heralded like this.
Though entering like a king, Jesus was on a donkey and not a steed. His entourage was on foot, rather than on horseback. His was a humble entrance, though it appeared grand.
Jesus chose to make an entrance worth noting, intending to show the people how different the Messiah was from the kings they knew.
If you knew you were going to be put to death, wouldn't you go all out to make a point?
The message I take away from this is to be truthful to my faith. Jesus and his followers were unafraid. They knew the risks and they publically declared their support for the new way Jesus taught.
In a short while, Jesus will be punished for who he is and what he has done, but the message will live on. And that is the lasting truth.
We have only a short time to make a difference in this life. We can choose to do that, or we can choose to stay safe.
Why not go out with a bang?
More to come...