THIS SERIES: EASTER THOUGHTS
Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the day when many Christians commemorate Jesus’ public entry into Jerusalem, at the beginning of the most important week in history.
Jesus’ contemporaries longed for solutions to their daily struggles, subjugated as they were to Roman domination. And many hoped for a Messiah who would lead them to victory against their overlords. However when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He was making a clear declaration of the nature of His messianic role.
In biblical times, when a king rode into a community on a donkey, it meant he was coming in peace, not war. So here was Jesus (whose name means ‘God saves’), the Prince of Peace, riding into Jerusalem which means ‘city of peace’, on a donkey, the symbol of peace!
The words of Zechariah’s prophecy would have been ringing in the ears of the discerning:
Jesus’ contemporaries longed for solutions to their daily struggles, subjugated as they were to Roman domination. And many hoped for a Messiah who would lead them to victory against their overlords. However when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He was making a clear declaration of the nature of His messianic role.
In biblical times, when a king rode into a community on a donkey, it meant he was coming in peace, not war. So here was Jesus (whose name means ‘God saves’), the Prince of Peace, riding into Jerusalem which means ‘city of peace’, on a donkey, the symbol of peace!
The words of Zechariah’s prophecy would have been ringing in the ears of the discerning:
Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem,
and the battle bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
[Zechariah 9:9,10]
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem,
and the battle bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
[Zechariah 9:9,10]
Jesus' peace wasn’t to be purchased through an earthly battle, His victory would be over the principalities and powers of darkness, that stand behind human conflict & turmoil, a victory that would be purchased through the shedding of His blood. This entrance into Jerusalem was the public announcement that the ultimate battle for peace was due to commence.
And it wasn’t just about dealing with conflict, the Greek & Hebrew words for peace also contain the meaning of completeness, safety, contentment, wholeness, prosperity, health & wellbeing. The Lord was coming to His people offering salvation in its widest sense.
What a tragedy that so many missed the point, and didn't recognise that the peace they longed for, was actually riding through their gates. And that others gave Him lip-service, but didn't actually avail themselves of what He was carrying.
The challenge to us is that Jesus, the same yesterday, today & forever, still comes to us offering peace in its fullness. Let’s be people who respond & receive the Prince of Peace.
And it wasn’t just about dealing with conflict, the Greek & Hebrew words for peace also contain the meaning of completeness, safety, contentment, wholeness, prosperity, health & wellbeing. The Lord was coming to His people offering salvation in its widest sense.
What a tragedy that so many missed the point, and didn't recognise that the peace they longed for, was actually riding through their gates. And that others gave Him lip-service, but didn't actually avail themselves of what He was carrying.
The challenge to us is that Jesus, the same yesterday, today & forever, still comes to us offering peace in its fullness. Let’s be people who respond & receive the Prince of Peace.
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[**Photo credits: Hugo Matilla, with thanks]
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