Day 35 | The triumphal entry

Reflection

In the last week of this journey, we'll explore Jesus’ purpose as he made his journey to the cross.

On the first day of our Lent journey, we saw that Jeremiah was writing to a people in exile, reminding them of their core identity and purpose as God’s people, despite the fact they're far from their land. He was still their God, and they were still his people.

Fast forward to the time of Matthew's Gospel. Even though the Israelites were back in the land now, they were still in exile of a sort. After foreign rule by a succession of superpowers, it was now the turn of the Romans. Herod might have been king, but he was only Rome’s puppet, a cruel and vain tyrant. And not even really a Jew. None of it was as it should be.

But there was the hope of the Messiah – the God-sent king who would triumph over the oppressors and restore Israel to greatness.

And then, just before the great feast of Passover, a reminder of another God rescue from an oppressive regime, into Jerusalem comes Jesus. Not with an army, but a crowd singing and waving palm branches. Coming in peace, seated on a donkey, not a warhorse.

Jesus’ entrance as king was deliberately designed to subvert expectations; a direct hit against the pomp and militarism of the Romans and what people had come to assume was the only path available to victory. Though he had more strength, might, and authority than Caesar, Jesus chose to come in humility and gentleness – the servant King.

Humility and gentleness are not weaknesses, but God’s deliberate purpose for our lives. In what ways might we be called to demonstrate this in our lives today? Perhaps there is a call on us to repent for the ways we’ve misused power. Or to ask God to help us work out how to use power in our contexts well, following Jesus’ way.

Father, thank you that Jesus is our king. Help me to show his humility, gentleness, and grace in the places and with the people you call me to be with today. Amen.