Apr. 1: Jesus the King

Today is Palm Sunday on the Christian Calendar. You won’t find it on the Jewish, Muslim or Chinese calendars. Palm Sunday marks the day of Jesus’ “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem ushering in the final days of his life. It is called “Palm Sunday” because the celebrants were waving palm branches and cheering as he came into the city. I wonder what it would be like to be walking or riding along and find yourself in the middle of a spontaneous parade.

Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.'"

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They replied, "The Lord needs it." They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (Luke 19:28-44, Matthew 21)

Most kings made an entrance riding on horseback, or being carried on an opulent litter. Here we find the “King of kings”, the “Prince of Peace” riding on a donkey; humility. gentleness. Jesus was proclaiming to be the king about whom the prophet spoke: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" (Zechariah 9:9)

Later that week the Roman Governor, Pilate, had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross on which Jesus was crucified. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jewish leaders read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." (John 19:19-22)

What is written on your life in regard to Jesus? Is he your King? Do you order your decisions, priorities, expenditures, conversations around His will and reign?

~ Father, I voluntarily submit to your reign in my life and pledge my allegiance to you as my king. Reign over every part of me for I trust your leadership. Amen.