Matthew 21:As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say toDaughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c] “Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
EVERYBODY KNEW WHAT A MESSIAH WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE! When the Messiah came, he would be riding on a white horse, dressed in glowing robes, and wearing a shining crown…..except he rode a donkey, wore his everyday clothes, and his head was bare. Nonetheless, the common people recognized the Messiah! They even spread their cloaks on the road and waved palm branches and shouted the traditional greeting to the Messiah. ‘Baruch ha ba, Ha Mesheach, Yeshua! Baruch ha ta Adonai!” And they also shouted, “Hosanna!” Interesting choicer of words! “Hosanna” means “Lord, save us!” Now why would a crowd of commoners shout that at someone they thought might be the Messiah?
Most people were sure that when the Messiah came, he would establish a military kingdom and kick out the Romans. Certainly, the Romans deserved kicking! The Roman soldiers didn’t want to be in Israel and they took it out on the local people, bullying and demanding. And perhaps the common people also wanted to be saved from their religious rulers. It wasn’t only the Romans who bullied and took advantage. Some of the religious rulers had the same reaction. So, the common people were willing to beg for relief from anybody who showed up who might be a possibility.
Today, social media is flooded with all kinds of information and misinformation about COVID – 19. In response to general panic and confusion, self – styled experts have arisen to advise on diet, hygiene, exercise, etc., etc. In the quiet of their homes, many people today are saying, “Hosanna! Lord, save us! Save us from COVID – 19! Save our jobs! Save our families! Save our economy! Save us!”
We can do the best we can, but some of us might die with COVID – 19, particularly those of us who are health workers. But while we are concentrating on all kinds of practices or different kinds of masks or hand sanitizers or rubber gloves, how are we preparing for eternity? If you died today, would you go to heaven? What assurance do you have?
The crowds in Jerusalem who cheered – and later who mocked – Jesus had no idea that many of them were fated to die at the hands of the Romans when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. Many of these people were hoping that their religious practices would save them or that their charitable acts. But they were wrong. Nothing any of us can do will be sufficient to earn a place in heaven. This is why Jesus had to come and live as a man and then die a shameful undeserved death on a cross. But Easter proved that Jesus’ sacrifice was worth it. Jesus conquered death and the grave. Trust him!
PRAYER: Father God, we are afraid. We fear for our families, for our friends, for our communities, and for our countries. We have no control in this situation. Lord, teach us to trust you and to follow you completely. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins. We turn our lives over to you now. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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