The most moving sites from our family’s trip to Israel a few years ago were those relating to the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, His crucifixion, and His resurrection.
In these days leading to this year’s Resurrection Sunday, I’m posting a different kind of series—a picture from this trip, especially from the Jerusalem area, with a few thoughts relating to that scene. Most of the pictures will not fall on the day of the week in which the correlating event occurred, but I trust they will turn your thoughts toward Christ in this week leading to the Resurrection.
Triumphant Entry of Christ: Matthew 21:1–16, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:29–44, John 12:12–15
The excavated ruins above are of a first-century marketplace. You can imagine the camels, donkeys, carts, and foot traffic through the street and the merchants along the sides with their wares on display.
Through a scene similar to this comes Jesus—the King of kings—riding on a humble donkey.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.— Zechariah 9:9
And as He comes, the city welcomes Him with triumphant praises: Hosanna! Hosanna! Their words were from Psalm 118.
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.—Psalm 118:25–26
Is it not hard to believe that less than one week later, these same people shouted “Crucify Him!”?
The Triumphant Entry of Christ reveals that Jesus deserves honor…and that our hearts are extraordinarily deceitful. Even when we are speaking the very words of Scripture, we are prone to twist God’s plan to meet our desires.
If Jesus is Lord, we should praise Him and we should bow our wills to Him.
He is King indeed—and His sovereignty never changes. May we honor Him every day—not just on the days of triumphant excitement.
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