“Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mk 11:9). Amen.
No doubt you have heard the expression: “to make a statement.” One way to define it is this: “to communicate something without words to get a reaction.” And usually there is no missing the mood or the message of that “something.”
That is what Jesus did as he rides into Jerusalem on a beast of burden, setting in motion the events of Holy Week. He enters the city on Palm Sunday and exits the grave on Easter Sunday—all that and more in seven days. It is a big week, a busy week. And there is no mistaking the attitude or announcement on this day. Jesus makes a statement riding the right animal and receiving the right adoration. We read from …
Mark 11:1-10
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, our perfect King whom we continually praise,
It is one thing to describe what it is to make a statement. It is another to do it.
Here is what I mean. We have quite a few options for travel. If you were going to impress someone (Remember: “to communicate something without words to get a reaction.”), what would you show up to their front door with? A fine moped or a fancy limousine? Either one makes a statement, doesn’t it? It is not a matter of two wheels as opposed to four. (And nothing against that kind of cyclist.) But an expensive vehicle that stretches down three city block beats a one-seater that tops out at 35 mph (as long as you have a gale-force wind behind your back). It is fair to say that the one is elegant, while the other is economic.
What about Jesus as he heads into the capital city?
Jesus Makes a Statement
1. Riding the right animal (1-6)
2. Receiving the right adoration (7-11)
1. Riding the right animal (1-6)
Does this make sense? If you want to be seen you have to be seen. Jesus wasn’t going to sneak into town. It is kind of the opposite of a celebrity who tries to slip through the airport with a large hat pulled down and dark sunglasses pushed up. If you were Jesus’ PR person, what would you suggest? How about a chartering a gold chariot with magnificent horses in front of it? Some eyes may have bulged. Or calling those twelve legions of angels to surround him as he is seated on top of a massive elephant (cf. Mt 26:53)? Some jaws may have dropped. None of that. Jesus makes a statement riding the right animal.
Jesus had been clear as he and the disciples made their way to the holy city to celebrate the Passover. And now it was close. Within the next five days. Jesus repeated it and we reviewed it: “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again” (Mk 8:31). That is a pretty good summary of the coming week—Jesus’ final time there. We note again this is not defeat—death on a cross, but victory—departure from a tomb. (More on that next Sunday.)
In order to kick things off, Jesus commissions two of his disciples with some specific instructions (Mk 11:1): “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here” (Mk 11:2). He knew exactly what they would encounter since nothing is hidden from him. It wasn’t a good guess like you speculate that there more than likely are cars in a Target parking lot around noon. It wasn’t: “You might spot a donkey.” But: “You will.” And notice the precise details—right away upon arriving and no one had ever sat on it. That meshes with the Old Testament. If it was for a sacred purpose, the animal was to be unused previously (Nu 19:2; Dt 21:3; 1 Sa 6:7). Not to mention those who might question: “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly’” (Mk 11:3). This was a royal requisition from the Lord. The One who is above all and over all—who drives out demons, who shuts down storms—requires it. He was not evading this trip; he was embracing it.
The two obeyed without question or hesitation. This would not be a “wild donkey chase.” And it was just as Jesus had explained—from the location of the animal to the discussion with the individuals (Mk 11:4-6). That was critical for them. They could trust him—especially as the week unfolded with its rollercoaster ride. It is crucial for us. Jesus is aware of all of the minute things—every fact and facet of our lives. We can put our confidence in him.
By doing this, Jesus was making a statement. It wasn’t: “Any creature will be fine. It sure beats walking.” Jesus was deliberately and decisively fulfilling what the prophet Zechariah had foretold. “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Ze 9:9). Jesus was making clear: “I am that King. I have come to you and for you—to rescue you.”
And so we do what King David declared: We welcome King Jesus—the “King of glory … the LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle” (Ps 24:8). He rides on in lowly pomp to die (CW 133:5). He will take on the devil to take him out as Jesus “humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Php 2:8). Jesus makes a statement riding the right animal—a donkey. He does it to smash Satan’s head for us (Ge 3:15). And he did.
2. Receiving the right adoration (7-11)
If you want to make a splash, you have to be flashy. You want some oohs and aahs. Even if it is a white limo, rather than black which is classier in my opinion. Jesus got such a reaction as he mounted that donkey. Whether the people recognized the full significance or not, we do. Jesus makes a statement receiving the right adoration.
The disciples showed their respect and reverence. “When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it” (Mk 11:7). It was a makeshift saddle to show honor. Others added their activity since there were plenty of pilgrims in town for the big festival. “Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields” (Mk 11:8). It was a “green carpet” treatment. The hooves were not to touch the ground as the King advanced (cf. 2 Ki 9:13).
Their words matched the actions. People yelled different things like a crowd cheers on their team in the NCAA tournament, hoping that they advance to the Final Four. “Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted” (Mk 11:9) …
“Hosanna!” (Mk 11:9; Ps 118:25). That translates as “Save now, we pray.” And that is what Jesus was prepping to do—to save. He would live up to his name, Jesus—“The Lord saves” (Mt 1:21). And he finished what he came to do. That is why the apostle Paul could contend: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (Php 2:9). Jesus is the only name that saves (Acts 4:12). He saved us. Now for us, “hosanna” becomes, “Praise be to you, Jesus.”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mk 11:9; Ps 118:26). God had revealed himself as one who is gracious and compassionate (Ex 34:6). Jesus was “the coming one” who would carry out God’s plan (Lk 3:16; Mt 11:3). He comes to pour out his blood and purify us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7).
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” (Mk 11:10). Jesus is the promised Son of David who would sit on an eternal throne just as God had guaranteed (2 Sa 7:11-14; Is 9:6,7; Je 23:5; Lk 1:32,33). Pilate posted it above Jesus' head as he mocked: “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Jn 19:19). We proclaim it as we marvel. Jesus has made us members of his unending kingdom, reigning in our hearts right now and forever, ruling to the ends of the earth (Eph 1:20-23; Ze 9:10).
“Hosanna in the highest!” (Mk 11:10). That acclaim of the King echoes all the way to the heavens above as on earth below. That takes us back to the night of Jesus’ birth when the angels chimed in and chanted: “Glory to God in the highest” (Lk 2:14). Jesus has brought us peace (Ze 9:10). We “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Php 2:11).
It is possible to say something without saying anything. That is making a statement like what you use for transportation—from stylish to simple. That is what Jesus did riding on the right animal, a donkey—to perform what the prophet had predicted. And receiving the right adoration. From us too. He is the conquering King who laid down his life only to take it up again (Jn 10:17). He is our King. Happy Palm Sunday. Amen.
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” (Mk 11:10). Amen.
March 25, 2018
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