No matter which way Jesus Christ turned, he was significant, and that’s true for us too

Jesus did not turn to the right, this time he turned to the left!

Mark 11 verses 1-11 – Easter is just a few days away. Jesus is being welcomed by many, while others are challenged, upset and angry, on what has been called ‘Palm Sunday’. More than a million Jews would visit Jerusalem for Passover. Would Jesus come to the Feast? Many asked that, many wondered. John 11 pours from 55 to 57.

Some would have seen Jesus on their way to the city. They all had to climb the hills and cross the peaks and enter the city.

Jesus has come up from Jericho. He goes and finds the foal. I need that colt.
What does Jesus need from us today?

Jesus could immediately control this wild and untamed donkey.
It takes years to train a police horse.

For many it was emotion and song – Jesus saw it as a day of tragedy. People had been waiting for this day for a thousand years, ever since King David reigned in Jerusalem. After David and Solomon there was a civil war, and the nation was never united again. Israel was then invaded and taken to Babylon for 70 years.

Some returned, but other invaders soon arrived: the Syrians, Alexander the Great and the Greeks, and finally the Romans.

Philip ruled in the north from Caesarea Philippi – Galilee belonged to Herod, Herod’s grandson who killed the children in Bethlehem – The Samaritans had the center – Pontius Pilate ruled in Jerusalem. The people returned to look for another man like King David. This was the expectation of him for a thousand years.

There were fanatics, there were plots. Nationalism was a hope in many hearts.
They were fed up with being ruled by others. Isn’t this strangely relevant?
They had tried to make him king some years before, but Jesus said ‘NO’. John 6.

This king could be a wonderful teacher and loving friend to many. He loves common people, he is able to put hypocritical religious leaders in their place, he is fond of children, he can feed the hungry and heal the sick.

Here it comes. That’s all. There is a tide of national sentiment. This was to be the end of foreign domination and the end of a divided country.
They shouted “Hosanna” – which means – “Save us now” – it is an expression of impatience. Jesus, now is the time to deal with all this, these Romans.

They quoted Psalm 118, which deals with the defeat of the Egyptians. This was a militaristic phrase. They took palm branches. They did this with clothing, for a man named Jehu, who came to free Israel from the rule of weak Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel. II Kings 9 verse 13.
They took palm branches in the time of the Maccabees.

And, on ‘Palm Sunday’, they would gather branches or palm leaves.
The people thought this was going to be a mighty military victory – as Jesus rode down the Mount of Olives on a donkey! You can walk that same path today.

Can you imagine the feelings among the disciples on this occasion?

Jesus does not rejoice. Jesus is weeping – Luke 19 verse 41. Jesus loved this city and these people. Jesus knew that this type of nationalism would end in total disaster. Jesus could see the Temple and the city being invaded. All this happened 40 years later, when more than a million people died in that Roman invasion.

The people had not noticed the animal – their eyes were on Jesus – and they did not realize the meaning of the colt – the donkey – the donkey. This was culturally appropriate at the time: a king would ride into a city publicly and be acclaimed by cheering crowds. But Jesus deviated from part of the script: Jesus did not enter mounted on a strong and powerful horse, but on a POLO, a donkey or a small donkey.

Jesus was certainly King, but Jesus would not fit into the categories of Kingship of the world. Jesus unites majesty and meekness.
Jesus comes with infinite majesty – and complete total humility – and perfect justice.

This is our King, and he is riding into battle, spiritual warfare, into Jerusalem, on a donkey. Jesus comes as the Prince of Peace, not as a military leader.

Zechariah chapter 9 explains: riding a donkey is not a symbol of humility but of royal power, fulfilling prophecy, submitting to the scriptures, but the people did not know the scriptures.

When General Allenby liberated Jerusalem on December 11, 1917, he dismounted from his horse. He entered the city on foot through the Jaffa gate.

Jesus came with peace – Jesus came for peaceful purposes, but the people did not notice. Many were disappointed in Jesus, and with Jesus, on that day.

Jesus entered Jerusalem through the Golden Gate, and turned left, not right, where the Roman fortress Antonia was, the headquarters of the Roman garrison.

Jesus enters the Temple area. There were throngs of people, buying and selling animals, exchanging money at an exorbitant rate. Some 250,000 lambs were bought, sold, and slaughtered during this Easter season.

Think of the noise, the tumult, and this was supposed to be the place of quiet reflection, meditation, worship, and prayer. This was deeply disturbing.

Jesus’ reaction was to start throwing the furniture.

“What’s going on? Why are you doing this?” Jesus quotes from Isaiah 56 verse 7: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

These courtyards were intended for the gentiles, for us, and had been converted into commercial floors.

It was popularly believed that when the Messiah came, the Messiah would cleanse the Temple of foreigners. Instead, Jesus is cleansing the court of the Gentiles, the place of worship for Gentiles, for foreigners, for us.

Within a week we were going to have direct access to God – although that didn’t happen for a few weeks – not until Peter went up to meet the Roman centurion Cornelius at Caesarea – but the curtain was torn in two – 15 verse 38 – the party wall it was about to be demolished. Ephesians 2 verse 14. God did it.

The curtain has not only been ruined, it has become obsolete, and now we have access to God through Jesus Christ. Our loving and concerned God did.

The crowds were so disillusioned with Jesus that within a few days they were chanting “Crucify Him.” Either you crown it, or you kill it.

Jesus wanted to gather people like a hen gathers chicks under her wings, but they did not want to come – Luke 13 verse 34ff.

Oh Jerusalem, if you had known what would bring you peace!

Oh Europe, if you only knew him, who could bring you peace.

Oh Islam, if you only knew him, who could bring you peace.

Oh Scotland, if you only knew him, who could bring you peace, in this turbulent time.

Jesus wants to come in and correct what is wrong,

I want to deal with your sin and your sins and throw out what should not be in this temple.

Meekness and majesty – masculinity and deity –
In perfect harmony – the man who is God –

Pure radiance of the Father – perfect in innocence –
However, learn obedience – until death on a cross –
Suffer to give us life – win through sacrifice –
And as they crucify, pray: ‘Father, forgive.’

Oh what a mystery – meekness and majesty –
Bow down and worship, for this is your God!