“Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10)
Reading: Mark 11: 1-10 ((See also Psalm 118:25-26)
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt (v.7). Many people laid their clothes on the road as a carpet for the entrance of Jesus, while others spread out green leafy branches. They shouted “Hosanna, please deliver us, blessed is He who comes in the name of Adonai.” (Mark 11:9 Jewish Bible).
The people of Israel recognized Jesus as their long-awaited Savior and Messiah. They recognized Jesus was sent by the Lord God when they said, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of God” (v.10). They also recognized Jesus was a descendant of David, the rightful heir to the throne of David when they said, “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David.” (v. 10)
The people of Israel were in a desperate situation because the tyranny of Roman rule was heavy upon them. They felt powerless and helpless. As life became harder for them with more taxes, less freedom, etc., they needed another Savior more than ever. Like King David, who saved them from their enemies, and like Moses who delivered them from slavery in Egypt, they wanted Jesus to deliver them too.
So, when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt, the people of Israel thought that their time of deliverance had come. Their hopes were up! They thought that was the best time to be free from the oppression of Roman rule. They thought God sent Jesus to deliver them. They cried and pleaded with Jesus, “Please deliver us!” However, God had a different plan. From the birth of Jesus, God’s plan and purpose was to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Yes, God wanted to deliver them from the oppression of their enemies. God still accomplished that plan. Later, after many years, Roman rule and power ceased. The purpose of Jesus’ coming to earth was to deliver and save people from their sins. It was sad that the people did not recognize their need for a Savior to deliver them from their sins because they did not recognize their own sinful nature. They did not recognize the condition of their hearts and souls, the sin in their lives such as pride, arrogance, hatred, lack of fear of God, etc.
Yes, many of them followed and obeyed the law and commandments of Moses, but their hearts were far from God. They were upset that a heathen nation was ruling them. The people of Israel did not recognize their Savior. The Lord Jesus Christ came to deliver them from sins.
So, Jesus came and taught them to turn away from sin and turn to the Lord God. As people were pre-occupied with how to survive the heavy oppression from Roman rule, Jesus taught them, “Do not worry about your life…” (Matthew 6:25-33)
Reflection:
The people of Israel only wanted freedom from Roman rule so that their lives would be comfortable again. But God’s plan for salvation for all people was first deliverance from slavery to sin, salvation of souls to give us eternal life. God wants the hearts of people to turn to Him – to be free from sin. Then someday in the millennium and future eternity, Jesus will rule as King of kings, and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). Jesus will come back again to rule and reign with His followers. (Rev 20:6 and Rev 21:6-7)
“And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.’” (Rev. 21-6-7)
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,saying:
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.” (Rev. 11:15-17)
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You came to seek and save me from my sins. Thank You for delivering me from the power of darkness and bringing me into your marvelous light. Thank You for rescuing me from slavery to sin. And thank you that you are coming back again to take me with you. Someday you will rule and reign here on earth as our Lord and King.
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