Subscription Lists

We have seen how there came that point in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, when Jesus set His Face to go to Jerusalem. Nothing could put Him off. Nothing could divert Him. No-one could side-track Him. No-one could prevent Him from fulfilling the Will of the Father. What an example to follow.

In Luke Chapter 19 verse 28, we read of Jesus Christ, The Son of God, riding into Jerusalem. Within the week, Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, falsely accused, illegally tried, crucified, dead and buried. And three days later, Jesus would be raised from the dead – that astounding event which we can tend to take for granted through becoming so familiar with the facts and truth, when Jesus made another triumphal entry - back to life from the grave.

This day of which we are reading is a day of emotion and excitement - of joy and sadness - of rejoicing and weeping.

To begin with the cry is Hosanna - Save us now - but soon we are reading tears and malice and envy and hatred.

Some 2 million people would be visiting Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover - to remember that night in Egypt - when a lamb was slain - to remember how the door posts were marked with the blood of the lamb - and how the angel of death came and passed over the homes of those who had marked the doors with the blood of the lamb - according to what Moses had commanded them.

If they had ignored or rejected the words of Moses, there would be death in that household. In the blood of the lamb they were safe - protected – covered – and in these homes they were eating the lamb being nourished and strengthened for the journey which lay in front of them - of which they had no clue at that moment.

Normally, 2 million Jews ascended upon Jerusalem at this season to remember that night. But this year there was a question on everybody's lips - "Will Jesus come?" "Will Jesus come up to the Feast?"

Jesus gives two of His disciples a message, "Go to the village - you will find a colt there - untie it and bring it." How is that for giving orders?

Verse 31. If anybody asks you about what you are doing - just explain briefly - "The Lord needs it."

Jesus says that to us at times. I need you - I need what you have - I need what you own. There is no question as to who is the Lord! These two disciples did exactly what they were told.

Verse 35. We read of Jesus Christ riding into Jerusalem - on an ass - on which no-one had previously ridden. It was wild. It had never been broken in.

Jesus Christ can take what is wild and untrained - and tame it - and control it - whether it be an ass - or a temper - or an appetite - or a reluctance or unwillingness to co-operate. Jesus can take anything or anyone and control and tame whatever needs to be controlled and tamed.

We certainly see that in the lives of men like Peter and Paul.

When you ride into Jerusalem it is always for a purpose. As far as we know Jesus had never ridden before, and when Jesus does something for the first time, the disciples know that He has something special on His mind. Jesus has a particular purpose on this occasion. He is fulfilling the words of the prophet Zechariah.

Imagine the scene. The level of noise and excitement begins to increase. This is a Royal occasion. People have been looking for this day for 1,000 years. They have been looking for another king like David - as powerful as David - a man who could truly lead. What patience!

During that past 1,000 years - they had been overrun by Babylon, Persia, Syria, Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Then they waited for 2,000 years to get Jerusalem back, and in 1967 that happened. They are patient. Now almost the entire world wants to take it away from them - this city nestling in the seclusion of the Judean mountains.

The people become quite excited. There is this crescendo. “Hosanna”, which means, “Save us now”. They knew Jesus was special - this was prayer - specific and direct. They laid their coats down for the King, and they are saying, "Get on with it now". These people realised something extraordinary was taking place before their eyes.

This is real loud praise. People are worshipping - and why? Verse 37. They had seen the miracles. They had seen the mighty works of God. When you see Jesus Christ the Saviour at work, then you want to praise Him.

Verse 39. Some of the Pharisees are not very pleased at all this. They are not rejoicing. When Jesus draws near and comes close - He has that knack - that ability - of the drawing out good and bad. Some people are praising - others are resenting and grudging every syllable of praise.

They say to Jesus - Teacher or Master, tell your disciples to keep quiet. Rebuke them. Don't allow them to call you, King and Lord. They would only call Jesus, Teacher. We have to be willing to call Jesus more than that. Jesus has to be Saviour and Lord and King.

Right to the very end - right to the Passover meal at the table - Judas Iscariot refused to call Jesus anything more than Master or Teacher. That change has to happen in our lives. There has to be that change from Master and Teacher, to Saviour, Lord and King. You can disagree with a Teacher, but you dare not disagree with One Who is Lord and King. You obey the Lord - and serve the King.

Jesus explains that not even He can keep the scene quiet. If these people were going to be quiet on such an occasion as this - the stones would be given voices to cry out the praises of God.

Jesus saw - Jesus sees – the city of Jerusalem lying in front on Him - and He begins to weep. The word means He 'sobbed His heart out'. When hearts and lives are closed to the mercy and love of Jesus Christ, that makes Him weep.

People are praising. Jesus is weeping. He is not overly excited at their praise.

They thought it was a day of triumph and victory.

Jesus saw it very differently. Real troubles were about to arise.

Jesus is breaking His heart. He had come from the Father with peace, and this peace was for the people of God, and it was being refused and rejected, and the leaders were in the forefront of the refusing and rejecting.

They did not know what makes for peace, just as we do not know what makes for peace today. It was a very high price they were about to pay - 2,000 years of suffering. O, how Israel has suffered over these past 2,000 years.

Jesus saw what was going to happen. Jesus saw the coming tragedy. Some 35 years later, Jerusalem was surrounded by enemies. Jerusalem was under siege. It became a heap of ruins. The mighty Temple was so suddenly a pile of rubble.

Having entered the city Jesus now entered the Temple. Down the Mount of Olives passing the Garden of Gethsemane and across the Kidron valley, into the Temple area, and He turns left.

The Roman Antonia fortress was on the right. Many thought Jesus was going to turn right and deal with Rome and set the people free politically. But no – He turned left and moved towards the Temple.

The Temple was just like one of the noisy market places. It should have been quiet and prayerful, and conducive to worship. Even those who came to worship and sacrifice were being robbed. If you reached the Temple, you ought to have been safe there. Along the road was danger from muggers and robbers as you travelled past the caves.

Jesus drove out the lot. Here is real love - no weak soft flabby love here. These are the hands that touched lepers - blessed children - healed blind eyes. Now, these same hands are overturning tables. Later that week, they would take bread, and lift a cup.

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Wisdom