As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 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. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:1-11

In just a week they will hang Jesus on a cross and nail a sign above his head stating “This is the King of the Jews”. Pilate will ask Jesus “Are you a King?” Jesus will not answer, in so many words. He has avoided the people and their actions to make him their king, and yet here he approaches and rides into Jerusalem in the manner of a King — but in a gesture of peace. And yet, in three and a half years he has modeled what kings are intended to do for their people:

He has healed the broken and restored them to full participation in community.

He has forgiven those who missed the mark of required ethical and religious standards and included them in his new community.

He has raised the dead so as to offer social security to those women who would be destitute by the deaths of the men (Lazarus, Widow of Nain)

He has raised and healed children to break the bondage of bad theology that blamed disease and death on the actions of the parents (Children of Jairus and the Canaanite woman)

He has been inclusive, unconditionally accepting, and unrelentingly restorative through his words and actions.

If his disciples understand nothing else about Jesus, he has at least tried to show them how kings should function – not to live off the backs of those who are at their bidding and who suffer for the fortunes of the king. Instead, Jesus as the king figure has done what he can to make the lives of people better, and to bring those outcasts back into community.

This is the king that comes into Jerusalem – this is the one that receives the “Hosannas”. It is time for Jesus to own up to being the King he was sent to be……

Pastor Dave