The Crowning of a Leader
What humans want isn't always what they get.
Why did Jesus let this happen? The whole riding into Jerusalem and declaration of his kingship? He knew where things were headed at this point (the cross). What a disappointment he would turn out to be for many, if not most in this crowd. Not a single person celebrating his kingship was expecting Jesus’ death on the cross in less than a week.
What a tragedy.
Humans want to celebrate leaders. The early nation of Israel declared to the prophet Samuel that they wanted a king. And God made provision for that lineage of kings.
Today, we continue to see great hope and trust placed into human leaders.
The cross is many things. What if its scandal isn’t simply about sinfulness (though it is certainly that), but a shaming of humanity’s penchant for human leadership. God told Samuel that he was Israel’s king, but they rejected his kingship.
Has anything changed?
Matthew 21:1-11
When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away. Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.
Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Prayer
God,
Help me place my trust in your kingship. Help me do well with the power I have for the things of justice (your justice). I don’t want to stick my head in a bucket of privilege by not participating in what I can. But I also don’t want to get caught up in notions of saviorism and exceptionalism.
So help me, God: Show me the king who rides an ass and a colt into town, who wears a crown of thorns, who succumbs to death in order to foster its defeat.
I want to know Jesus as king.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.