This weekend, we begin our commemoration of Holy Week or Passion Week. We do so just as the Bible describes it in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—i.e., with Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus had been heading intentionally and relentlessly from his home in Galilee on a journey toward Jerusalem. His remarkable miracles had led some to think that he might be the long-awaited Messianic King who would rescue God’s people. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people’s excitement about his possible coronation was uncontainable. Read the description found in Luke 19:36–38:
As Jesus went along toward Jerusalem, people spread their cloaks 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:
But, Jesus already knew how misguided their hopes and aspirations were. Just before calling for the colt to carry him into Jerusalem, Jesus “told them a parable because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought the kingdom of God was going to appear at once…” (Luke 19:11).Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
On this Triumphal Entry weekend, we will listen again to that parable. I will confess that it is among the most difficult parables in the Bible to understand. However, several things become very clear:
- Jesus claims to be the world’s long-awaited king;
- The completion of his kingdom will not come as quickly as people would like;
- This kingdom will be different from—and in every way greater than—what people expect;
- Those who say that they are loyal to the king must let him rule their lives;
- Those who reject the king will discover that there are serious consequences.
The first Triumphal Entry Sunday was filled with misunderstanding and false allegiances. May this weekend at LAC find us fully committed to the one who is indeed the king over all kings.
To his glory,
Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor