Saturday 14 December, 2019

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “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. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 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: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Even the rocks would cry out in worship. 

Jesus is heading towards his crucifixion, an incredible humiliation for the God who created the universe. 

But here, people recognise who he is in large numbers and demonstrate worship towards him. It’s not the first time he has been worshipped, but there is a sense here that this is the sort of treatment that Jesus deserves! To have the road in front of him covered as a sign of his importance, to be cheered and praised!

For me, it was 20 years ago that I had a revelation of who Jesus really was. I grew up hearing stories about him, but there was a camp that I went on as a teenager that opened up my eyes to the truth about Christ.

But even since then, as I reflect, I realise that there have been times where I have treated Jesus differently to what he really deserves. At times I ignore him, or worse, treat him like a vending machine. My prayers go in and I get frustrated when the miracles don’t come out when I want them, the way I want them.

I can read the Gospel of Luke and be shocked at the way that the people of Jerusalem turned on the human Jesus so quickly after this triumphal entry into the city, but in my own way, I have done the same with the risen Christ – Once I welcomed Him in with a celebration, but now, too often I have treated Him far less than His divinity demands.

Lord, this morning I again celebrate you as Lord and King and I rejoice in your Kingdom here on earth!

Written by Ps Justin Ware